What Ali and Frankl taught me about George Floyd and resilience.
“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” Maya Angelou[i]
George Floyd’s death has brought racial prejudice and police misconduct into our living rooms in the same way the Vietnam war exposed the brutality of warfare via the evening news. (The Vietnam war was the first US conflict shown nightly on TV.) A single 8-minute cell phone video has released a tsunami of emotions and distress in America. How are we as a country and as individuals going to learn from this tragedy?
Resilience is the ability to remain calm, strong and centered in the midst of adversity. It does not mean a person doesn’t experience distress, quite the opposite. Holocaust survivor, Viktor Frankl, accepted the inhumanity of the Nazi concentration camps and identified his purpose. He was determined to outlive the war and teach students about his psychology of survival, logotherapy: the freedom to find meaning in life despite suffering. “Between stimulus and response there is a space, and in that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”[ii]
Resilience is based on a realistic assessment of the situation and requires positive self-worth. This is different from high self-esteem, which is a self-assessment of our qualities but is not necessarily accurate or linked to ethical behavior. (Hitler had high self-esteem).[iii] Self-worth recognizes we are intrinsically valuable human beings, despite our flaws and is based on our core values: those principles that give our life meaning and purpose. Purpose is not a job or career. Purpose is a calling greater than ourselves. Having a strong sense of purpose provides grit when the going gets tough.[iv]
When Muhammad Ali had his World Heavyweight Boxing title, passport and ability to earn a living taken away for being a conscientious objector to the war in Vietnam, he sacrificed his career for his principles.
“My conscience won’t let me go shoot my brother… or some poor hungry people in the mud for big powerful America.” Muhammad Ali.
To support his family Ali was forced to speak for a $500 appearance fee at Cheney State College in Pennsylvania while fighting in court to avoid 5 years in prison. He was ridiculed as an unpatriotic disgrace to his race and his profession. It was a humbling 4 years for the “greatest boxer of all time,” but he developed into an independent thinker and became a champion in the antiwar and civil rights movements. Exiled from boxing, Ali outgrew the boxing ring and sports pages because he had a higher purpose.
“The service you do for others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” Muhammad Ali.
It is estimated that Ali helped feed over 22 million people afflicted by hunger across the world.[v] When he died in 2016, he was respected throughout the world as an ambassador of peace and goodwill.
“Hating people because of their color is wrong. And it doesn’t matter which color does the hating.” Muhammad Ali.
Stay safe, kind and resilient,
Gary Gilberg
Gary Gilberg is a certified life and executive coach who offers one on one coaching via phone or Zoom on a donation basis, $1 minimum, during the Covid-19 pandemic. To learn more visit his website @ https://www.garygilberg.com/ or sign up for his twice a month newsletter @ https://www.garygilberg.com/newsletter-sign-up.
Footnotes:
[i] Maya Angelou, “Letter to my daughter” Penguin Random House (2008)
[ii] Victor Frankl, “Man’s Search for Meaning” Beacon Press, (1946)
[iii] R. Baumeister et al. “Does high self-esteem cause better, performance, interpersonal success, happiness or healthier lifestyles?” Psychology, Science Public Interest. (2003) May 4(1) pgs. 1–44
[iv] A. Duckworth, “Grit: The power of passion and perseverance.” 2016 Simon & Schuster, pg. 144
[v] P. Christopher et al. “Greatest sports heroes of all time.” (2006) Encouragement Press. Pg. 20
