claims that psychiatrist Viktor Frankl once stated, "Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom."
Frankl’s quote about the space between stimulus and response is one of the central tenets of logotherapy. This "space" represents a critical moment where individuals have the free will and opportunity to choose their response to any given situation, no matter how challenging or painful. The "space" where a person can choose how to respond may be small, even a few seconds or less. This choice made in this "space" between stimulus and response is what gives humans their freedom and dignity. According to Frankl, it is not the external circumstances that define us but how we choose to respond to them. [...] Viktor Frankl’s quote about the space between stimulus and response captures a fundamental aspect of human freedom and potential. His life and work, shaped by the extreme suffering he endured during the Holocaust, offer profound insights into individual free will, the power of choice and the pursuit of meaning. By applying Frankl’s philosophy in everyday situations, individuals can cultivate greater resilience, improve their relationships, and lead more meaningful lives. Frankl’s legacy continues to inspire and guide people across the world, reminding us that even in the most challenging circumstances, there is a "space" in which we have free will and the power to choose our response and, in doing so, shape our destiny.