The inspirational book of the year for me.
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I came across this book after I reluctantly had to renew my library card to reflect my new zip code. I’m not a huge fan of change, but happily, my new card still works for my old town! So I needn’t have worried, small-towns rule.
As a result of my change I was put onto the new library’s email list and found out they do a Zoom book club of the month! I was over the moon, and still am. The first book of the month was The Choice by Dr. Edith Eger, and it did not disappoint.
Since the birth of my children, I’ve really taken my self-care and personal development seriously. It helps when I know that it’s them that benefits maybe the most. So I jumped on the opportunity to read Dr. Edith Eger’s tale of heartbreak, loss, brutality, and triumph.
Inspirational book is an understatement.
This is truly a masterpiece. A first-hand detailed account of the most harrowing offense against any group of humans in recent history. There have been tragedies, wars, genocides, but they pale in comparison to the atrocities carried out by Hitler.
I’m a lover of history, and I rarely balk at distressing things, but there were comments made in her book that haunt me still. Passing comments, not even events that she felt necessary to expand on, left me weeping for weeks.
But maybe because that was the point of her tale. Not to focus on the tragedies, the suffering, the inhumanity. To see beyond that. That’s what makes this such an inspirational book.
We all carry wounds.
Every single person on this planet does not get out of here without scars. We don’t get out of this alive! But Dr. Edith Eger discusses the events that shaped her, that molded her and left an impression. And interestingly enough, it was everything that happened after that mattered more.
In her inspirational book, she talks about all of the recovery that had to happen after the war. Her internal and external struggle to move past the trauma, physically, mentally, and emotionally.
The years after the war were what mattered more because the war was over, but it lived on in her. In her memories, in her broken back, and in the losses she and her family suffered. But she couldn’t carry it with her forever.
Her inspirational book is a life lesson to all of us.
If you have the stomach, read this book! I can’t tell you what traumas have happened in your life and how they affected you. The same that you can’t tell me how the things in my life have affected me.
The truth is that we are all suffering, some things are big and some are small, but they all matter! Dr. Eger discusses certain situations with her clients after she got her degree and later a doctorate in psychology and how the things they went through affected them. She never downplays her client’s feelings or compares her experiences to theirs. Instead, she holds space for their suffering as a fellow human being.
The compassion that she is able to show for other people after the horrors she experienced is astounding. How easy it would have been to turn a blind eye to everyone else’s suffering and say, I had it worse. And yet, she didn’t. Her inspirational book is a lesson to all of us on what it means to be non-judgemental.
I tell you this because it matters.
It matters in the scope of history, in the discussion of psychology, in how you live your life. During the holidays it’s so easy to get so caught up in the stress and the need to get everything done. But really, all you have to do is be thankful.
Giving and receiving gifts isn’t the point. Living your life, loving your fellow human beings, and opening your heart and mind to more is. This inspirational book will prove to you that most of your worries are fleeting. That running around and losing your mind because you feel as if you need to have your tree Instagram-ready is not the point.
Hug your loved ones a little longer, thank them for being a part of your life, slow down, savor this moment. You never know when it will be the last.
But also, don’t let people take advantage of your kindness either.
Don’t stress about the bumps in the road with your work. And don’t forget that this is the only life you’ve got, don’t spend it worrying about things that don’t matter. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Diwali, Happy Kwanza, and everything in between. Until next time friend.
“And don’t forget that this is the only life you’ve got, don’t spend it worrying about things that don’t matter.” – Great point. We spend too much energy on unimportant things. We have little energy left for the most important ones – for family and friends.
Yes absolutely! Thank you very much I’m glad you understand that concept.
Thank you for this book review, I will definitely go check it out, now. And I love that technology can still keep us connected together, no matter what.
I agree! Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed!