Man's Search for Meaning is an epic and the essential therapy book for modern times. Frankl asserts, correctly, that with the growing use of automation man's free time has expanded leaving us plenty of leisure hours to contemplate our own meaning.
Frankl asserts that almost anything can have meaning and it is all up to our attitude. A survivor of several concentration camps, Frankl attests how much choosing the right attitude and having something to live forr saved people's lives in the camps. Attitude and spirit had a lot to do with survival.
This leads Frankl to suggest that man finds meaning through suffering as well as through joy and love. Very true, how often do people put the cause or cross in their life for what they are living as the meaning in their lives, and how often would they be lost without their jobs/families/possestions/causes etc... for which they sacrifice all and for which they create their identity.
More than that, people can capitalize on the little injustices in life as a growth experience. The person who cut you off in traffic, the guy at work who just loves taking pot shots at you. These are all times to exercise forgiveness and be the best person you can be. You have the choice to remain calm and be good and not let useless anger consume your life.
This is a must read for anyone feeling lost in their lives.
Wikipedia entry (with quotes):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man%27s_Search_for_Meaning
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