Hey All!
I’m reading “The Choice: Embrace the Possible” by Dr. Edith Eva Eger, and I’d love to share with you my thoughts and lessons gleaned from this amazing book.
A trigger warning: I’m sharing a story from the book that discusses the Holocaust, and may be upsetting, hurtful, or traumatizing to some readers.
First, this is the real life story of Dr. Eger and her experience as a survivor of the Holocaust, specifically Auschwitz. It’s incredible to read her first hand account of the atrocities she faced during her time in Auschwitz. Deeply moving, upsetting, but I feel, important.
It’s been a challenging book to read. It’s one of those books that I have to read in very short stints, and takes a lot out of me emotionally, but is so worth it.
Early on in her experience Dr. Eger realizes that she can only control her own mind. She endures some terrifying experiences, but has the wisdom to know that regardless of what she is forced to do- how they can control her body, her work, her movements, they can not control how she sees the situation and her thoughts.
She is forced to perform a ballet number for Dr. Mengele, also known as the Angel of Death. She recalls that while she was dancing, very literally for her life, because she knew that if the Dr. didn’t approve of the dance he’d likely kill her, she pictured herself performing at the Budapest Opera house.
She remembers a saying from her mother, “just remember, no one can take from you what you’ve put in your own mind.”
Incredible. Knowing that her mind and thoughts were only hers, she repeated to herself daily, “I survived today. Tomorrow I’ll be free.”
In her adult life Dr. Eger is a psychiatrist who uses her experiences to help others overcome PTSD and trauma in her practice and as a consultant for the U.S. Army and Navy.
The power of the mind is amazing to me. I know none of my experiences can even come close to Dr. Eger’s, but she notes that suffering is relative, something everyone experiences at some point or another. She says, “suffering is universal. But victimhood is optional.” Your mind will create the reaction to the circumstance.
That is freedom and power.
This is has been a powerful read already. If you’re looking for a new read that will have an impact on your life, I’d encourage you to check this one out.