In Viktor Frankl's book "Man's Search for Meaning," he shares his experiences of being a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps during World War II. While the book explores the concept of finding meaning in life, it also highlights the incredible ability of human beings to adapt and endure in even the most extreme circumstances.

Through his own experiences, Frankl shows that when faced with extreme adversity, humans have the remarkable ability to adapt to their circumstances. In the concentration camps, prisoners were subjected to inhumane conditions and faced constant physical and emotional trauma. Despite this, many prisoners found ways to adapt to their surroundings to survive.

For example, Frankl describes how he and his fellow prisoners learned to cope with constant hunger and malnutrition by scavenging for scraps of food whenever possible. They also learned to conserve their energy by resting whenever they could and avoiding unnecessary physical exertion.

Additionally, Frankl notes that many prisoners found comfort in their relationships with others. Despite the fact that they were constantly being torn apart and transferred to different camps, many prisoners formed deep and meaningful connections with their fellow inmates. These relationships provided a sense of belonging and camaraderie that helped them to endure the horrific conditions they faced.

Throughout the book, Frankl emphasizes the importance of finding meaning in one's life, even in the direst circumstances. He argues that those who can find purpose and meaning in their lives are better equipped to endure suffering and overcome adversity. This idea is exemplified by the fact that Frankl himself was able to survive the concentration camps by holding onto the belief that he had a purpose to fulfill in life.

As he continues into Logotherapy, he makes a resonating note about dealing with depression and anxiety.  He speaks about added responsibility and accountability to one’s life choices.  We choose to feel certain things and we can use that to understand who we are as people. For example, a person learning from an addiction can use their knowledge to help another person get off their addiction. Or how a cancer patient who has lost all hope of recovery may be encouraged to find meaning in their suffering and use their experience to help others going through similar struggles.

In conclusion, while "Man's Search for Meaning" is often seen as a book about finding purpose in life, it also serves as a powerful testament to the incredible resilience and adaptability of human beings. Despite the unimaginable horrors they faced, the prisoners in the concentration camps were able to find ways to adapt to their circumstances and endure. By highlighting this remarkable ability, Frankl provides a message of hope and inspiration for all of us, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, there is always the potential for survival and growth.

On a final note, the foreword of the book, by John Boyne, notes Frankl never wanted his name attached to it, but to use his assigned number from the camp to remain anonymous. Once it was considered a best seller and Frankl was recognized, he was upset that so many people were looking for meaning in their lives.  Let this book be a good starting point to develop a life’s purpose, then proceed to serve your unique purpose.