People often think psychiatrists are paid to give advice, purveyors of pointers if you will. Not necessarily so. I was trained in assessing, diagnosing, treating and so on. If wise counsel was what you were seeking, you may have been better off with a well-crafted Dear Abby letter than spending an hour with me.
I raise this today because there are people close to me who are navigating very difficult situations just now. So difficult that it’s hard to know what to say or do, especially from such a distance. I’m no advice guru, so thankfully there are others to turn to when the seas get a bit rough.
I’m a sucker for stories of hope and perseverance and triumph over adversity, so here’s Alice—a Czech pianist, former music teacher and, at 108, the oldest living holocaust survivor. She attributes her survival during her darkest days to her son (who was with her in the camp), her love of music and her optimism. She remains committed to her half-full philosophy. So, to those in my life who are struggling (you know who you are), I hope this helps. I think there’s something in here for all of us.
Dearest Bobbi,
Alice is an incredible woman and a sobering reminder to appreciate the simple things in life. She certainly inspires hope and courage which is what I wish you and your family during this difficult time. I’m sending kei across the water. God Speed.
Trish
Thank you Bobbi,
Well said. It gives me courage to drop a note as I didn’t quite know what to say.
I believe in the power of prayer so I’ll be doing that too.
Prayer is so powerful.
Such a wonderful woman. Speaking as a mom whose child has had major surgery(3transplants) and the arising complications of that, I have learned that indeed “Life Is Beautiful”. I think that when you portray the positive
it is so far-reaching. My son who is now a teenager and still has on going medical issues is a beautiful happy boy. Of course sometimes he wishes things were different..I speak to him and tell him “that he is so lucky and things could always be worse”. He laughs and says mom you’re right!!
Thanks Bobbi for posting the video!!
Namaste
Thank you for this, Bobbi. I love so much of what she says, especially at the end when she says (about email and the internet, etc) that we are spoiled. HA! So very true. I write a message here, and you read it there, just like that! This is magic. And of course she is right about the transporting nature of music.
I spent a good decade studying the Holocaust and U.S. slavery. Of course people thought I must be so dark to do this, but it was always the opposite. As you say, I am a sucker for triumph over the worst of tragedy. These people inspire me more than anyone. I see the dark, of course, but I am buoyed up and transformed by their light.
I’m going to share this somewhere today, on FB maybe. I hope that’s okay with you.
How funny that she is from Prague, and I am off tomorrow on my way to ….. Prague.
Share away Teri!!
Thank you, Bobbi. I needed this.
I needed it too, Bobbi. It’s so easy to fall into a whiney trap of ‘oh, this is horrible.’ But in my case it’s nothing horrible, it’s just an irritation or a problem. Thanks for reminding me that my glass is well over half full, and the day is a beautiful one. I think I’ll go play my piano now. :-)
Thank you Bobbi….what a gift.
Alice said “I know about the bad thing, but I look to the good thing.” That is the best definition of optimism I’ve ever heard.
And of how to live your life.
“Life is beautiful.”
Thanks for the reminder, Alice. And Bobbi.
Life is beautiful and so are you, Alice. Thank you for sharing, Bobbi!