The beginning of
a new year is cool,
because many of
us give ourselves
permission to let go
of the the frustrations
of the previous year,
and start fresh
with a clean slate.
Where do you want
to go this year?
Who do you want
to become?
What do you want
to accomplish?
“Life isn’t fair.
And when we’re hurting,
our anger, worry,
and frustration
are completely legitimate.
But we can face
any circumstance,
however unpleasant
or unjust,
with rigidity or flexibility.
“When your body hurts,”
I told her, “don’t punish it,
or resent it, or
demand things of it.
Say, ‘I’m listening.’””
Dr. Edith Eger
Holocaust survivor
“The Gift”
“Limbering up
our thinking
can not only
alter our
relationship,
but change
our perceptions,
the way we see
and feel
in the world.”
Dr. Edith Eger
Holocaust survivor
“The Gift”
“We are made of starstuff.”
Carl Sagan
“We are made of starstuff.”
“We are made of starstuff.”
“We are made of starstuff.”
What does that say
to you
as a human being?
What does it speak to you?
Does it stir up wonder,
awe,
hope?
I’m not proposing
any answers
for you.
I just want to pose
these questions
to you
as we head in
to a new year.🙂
“The best way
to let go of
the need
for control
is to become powerful.
Power has nothing
to do with brawn
or domination.
It means you have
the strength
to respond
instead of react,
to take charge
of your life,
to have total
ownership
of your choices.
You’re powerful
because you’re not
giving your power away.
If you take back
your power
and still
want to be right,
then choose
to be kind,
because kindness
is always right.”
Dr. Edith Eger
Holocaust survivor
“The Gift”
What would happen if
we all took a break
for a minute,
and quit pushing
on each other to be
“The best version of you.”,
and looked
at each other
and said,
“Ya know what?
I love you
just the way
you are.”?
“This is one of the ways I was able to survive Auschwitz.
I was surrounded every moment by dehumanizing words — you’re worthless, you’re dirty, the only way you’ll leave this place is as a corpse.
But I didn’t let the words penetrate my spirit.
Somehow I was blessed with the insight that the Nazis were more imprisoned than I was.
I first understood this the night I danced for Mengele. My physical body was trapped in a death camp, but my spirit was free.
Mengele and the others would always have to reckon with what they’d done.
I was numb with shock and hunger, I was terrified of being murdered, but I still had an inner sanctuary.
The Nazi’s power came from systematic dehumanization and extermination.
My strength and freedom were within.”
Dr. Edith Eger
Holocaust survivor
“The Gift”
People who want
to see you win,
will help you win.
“Many of us live as though we have something to prove. We can become addicted to having the last word. But if you’re trying to prove that you’re right or you’re good, you’re trying to make yourself into something that doesn’t exist. Every human is fallible. Every human makes mistakes. You’re not helpless- and you’re not a saint, either. You don’t have to prove your worth. You can just embrace it, celebrate that you’re imperfect and whole, that there will never be another you. Drop the agenda. If you have something to prove, you’re still a prisoner.
This is even true in the face of someone else’s unkindness or persecution.”
Dr. Edith Eger
Holocaust survivor
“The Gift”
“Adopt the pace of nature:
her secret is patience.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
