I bought this book by Edith Eger two weeks ago to read. It's my first physical copy of a book in so many years, because I prefer to read books I've bought on Google Play store or Kindle so that I don't have too many physical items to pack when I eventually decide to move out from my apartment.
I'd received the promised 1000uah by the Ukrainian government for citizens who had been vaccinated and since they set up some rules like payment from this special card which your bank generates can only be made to sites that sell books or other establishments that have suffered during the covid lockdown; theatres, cinemas, train stations, I decided to spend it on books. I didn't read online about what the books I bought were about but simply went for the titles that struck a cord with me and were expensive enough to use up all the money without leaving a balance on the card and I'm glad that I randomly picked this one.
Having now read the book, I don't think it was by chance because even Dr. Edith Eger says in the acknowledgement section 'I believe that people don't come to me---they are sent to me. I was sent to her.
The choice is a deep book. I read about a hundred pages some weeks ago and decided I needed a breather because I felt it was going to weight on my heart and make me sad. But it is not that type of book. It is a memoir of how Edith Eger survived Auschwitz as a sixteen year old girl to come out triumphant in America.
A life of course cannot be summarized in just a sentence and if you are familiar with other material that talk about German occupation and the torture of the Jews, you will have some idea about what to expect. This book however does not dwell on the horrors of this time as much as it talks about the choices we each have with the sufferings we inevitably will come to face. Suffering is universal and according to Edith, the mind is the only prison that can successfully house you.
I have had moments where my heart leaped for joy as Edith spoke of overcoming hardships, fleeing to America, dealing with prejudices and great losses of her mother, sickness and self esteem. I cried when she learnt how to give up her pain and unforgiveness and pursue this freeing forgiveness and a life that made her whole. This is the choice she talks about. I was inspired to see that she took it upon herself to work so hard and make a name for herself as an immigrant in America. This book has helped me in so many ways to see hope and not think of myself as a victim. If Edith could do it after surviving such tribulation, and if she says the mind is the force behind all the decisions you make with the pain you have, she is credible enough for me to believe.
I love reading inspirational books like this because we all need reinforcements in our lives as there are always elements out there ready to beat us up and keep us set in patterns that are not helpful to our growth. I'm happy this is a physical copy because I will keep it on my table as a little Bible to read on occasions when I need a booster and this reinforcement. This year is a year of realigning my thoughts to hope, to breathing in life and drinking from life giving sources. I want to unlock powers of flight in me so I can soar above any challenge life throws at me. So I recommend this book as one to be read with love and faith because it will change your life if you let it.
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