I am very excited to be a member of the PeopleJam community! I look forward to making as many connections as possible, learning from these connections, and sharing my meaning-centered message whenever possible (but only when it adds value to the dialogue).

For starters, let me briefly introduce myself. I am the author of a book, PRISONERS OF OUR THOUGHTS, that applies the wisdom of my mentor, the world-renown psychiatrist, Dr. Viktor Frankl, to life and work in the 21st century. In this book, I detail seven principles for increasing your capacity to deal with today's challenges, finding deeper meaning and fulfillment in your personal life and work, and achieving your highest potential. Like Dr. Frankl, I believe that life doesn't just happen TO us. (NOTE: A new edition of PRISONERS OF OUR THOUGHTS was released in paperback on January 1, 2008. Among other things, this revised edition includes a new chapter on how readers of the hardcover edition have put the book's principles into action in their personal lives, in their work, and even in extreme situations, such as in Indonesia after the tsunami--where several aid agences, including UNICEF and UNESCO, adopted the book as part of their training and relief programs--and in post-Katrina New Orleans. Also, on January 10, 2008, the new edition of PRISONERS OF OUR THOUGHTS was released as an Audiobook in digital download format! It can now be obtained from www.audible.com and iTunes, which means you can listen to it on your computer, iPod, or other MP3 player. The Audiobook CD version won't be released until July 1, 2008.). NOTE: PRISONERS OF OUR THOUGHTS is on the national Top-10 bestseller list for nonfiction books in Spain!

Just in case you are not familiar with Viktor Frankl, he was, among other things, a neurologist, psychiatrist, and existential philosopher. A survivor of four Nazi concentration camps, including Auschwitz, during World War II, it is significant to note that he is the author of one of the most important books of modern times: MAN'S SEARCH FOR MEANING (named one of the ten most influential books of the 20th century by the Library of Congress).

It was in a meeting with Frankl at his home in Vienna, Austria, in August 1996, when I first proposed the idea of writing my book, Prisoners of Our Thoughts. And he was more than encouraging when he grabbed my arm and said, "Alex, yours is the book that needs to be written!" As a result, in what has now become a kind of "meaning ministry" for me, I find authentic meaning in helping others discover the seeds of meaning in their personal and work lives, as well as in advancing the life and legacy of Dr. Frankl.

I live and work from Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA (not everyone knows that the State of New Mexico is a part of the USA!), where I founded a Center for Meaning to practice what I preach. My "second home" is the Island of Crete (Greece), which is where the Pattakos clan has its roots. Just in case you haven't figured out the ethnic origin of my last name, "Pattakos," let me help you. It's Greek. And more importantly, it's Cretan! Proudly, I can also say that my family roots are deeply embedded in the very "soul" of Crete, long before it became an official part of Greece. By the way, I hope that in these few words, you can already sense that I have a passion for life--in mind, body, and spirit!

To be sure, you will learn more about me and my meaning-centered work as we engage each other through PeopleJam!