Viktor Frankl on Striving for Worthy Goals

[Tuesday Quotes are short explorations of music, life, and the daily endeavor of practicing classical guitar. Find more here. Enjoy!]

“What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for some goal worthy of him.”
Viktor Frankl

When scientists created the Biosphere 2 in 1991 in Arizona, they noticed something strange. Trees would collapse before maturing.

At first, it baffled them. After all, the situation was perfect. The trees had all the nutrients they needed. There were no diseases or harsh elements. So why would they buckle under their own weight?

As it turns out, trees need the stress of wind. Responding to wind encourages trees to grow “stress wood”. And this is the wood which keeps them stable and upright, able to stretch out and seek more sun.

Likewise, we wither and weaken without meaningful struggle. We thrive on challenge and creative problems. These keep our minds alive and spirits lifted.

This doesn’t mean it’s all fun and games. In any given moment, it may be physically or emotionally taxing.

But overcoming obstacles and finding our way forward is what humankind does best. And most of us these days only get this chance when we choose it.

We have the option of living in what Frankl calls a “tensionless state”. But for a fulfilling and personally meaningful life, we need a worthy goal.

Music is such a goal. Guitar is a whetstone against which we can grind and hone ourselves ever sharper.

Through small daily actions, repeated over time, we reap the benefits of a life well-lived. We grow our own “stress wood”, become more resilient, and are able to grow stronger and reach further.

Hi, I’m Allen Mathews.

I started as a folk guitarist, then fell in love with classical guitar in my 20’s. Despite a lot of practice and schooling, I still couldn’t get my music to flow well. I struggled with excess tension. My music sounded forced. And my hands and body were often sore. I got frustrated, and couldn’t see the way forward. Then, over the next decade, I studied with two other stellar teachers – one focused on the technical movements, and one on the musical (he was a concert pianist). In time, I came to discover a new set of formulas and movements. These brought new life and vitality to my practice. Now I help guitarists find more comfort and flow in their music, so they play more beautifully.
Click here for a sample formula.

I also want to thank you for including more video lessons on the Bridges Guitar Series. I have learned to play Calatayud's Waltz. The most exciting thing about having done this is that I sight-read the entire piece as I was learning it. Six months ago looking at a sheet of music was like looking at Egyptian hieroglyphics. Learning to read notation is empowering and I appreciate the sensible way you are teaching us to learn to read music.

~ Steve Simpler

-Steve Simpler

I appreciate the organized, well thought out progression of each level, as well as a measurable means to determine when to proceed to the next level. I had burned myself out by pushing too hard and playing beyond where I was comfortable. This course is just what I needed, and I am happy to be back on the road to playing again.

~ Susan Kidney

-