Your Attitude is Yours and Yours Alone
“If I were immersed in constant melancholy, I would not be who I am.”
Elie Wiesel
Back in 2001, I was assigned to provide personal security for Auschwitz survivor and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Elie Wiesel. It was during the Days of Remembrance ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. After the event, I escorted Mr. Wiesel to his limousine. He asked about me, did I have a family, what were the children’s ages, etc. It was an amazing experience to be inside his space for that short period of time.
When we arrived at his car, he shook my hand, thanked me and asked if there was anything he could do for me. WOW! I told him there was one thing he could do, he could share with me how he made it through the Holocaust and yet was so kind and sincere, without a trace of bitterness.
“No prison, no tyrant, no war criminal, no dictator or persecutor can touch your attitude. They can destroy your body, but your attitude is yours, and that is what defines you.”
With that, he squeezed my hand, got into the limo and my time inside his space was over – but the impression will last a lifetime. Our attitude is our choice. It is the last bastion of freedom, a fortress that no human can breach, unless we open the gates from the inside.
Every situation doesn’t call for a “positive” attitude, for example in the midst of getting shot at, I have never found myself thinking “sunshine, waterfalls and unicorns” about those doing the shooting. Use your power to choose your attitude wisely, and deploy it strategically. But whatever you do, don’t open the gates to your citadel and abdicate your choice to others or outside circumstances, don’t give anyone or anything that power over you.
Your attitude is yours and yours alone.
Boo yah!
Great post Andrew! What a wonderful encounter you had with such a world class human being, Elie Wiesel.
You’re right about attitude. Not every situation should be met with a flowery positive attitude. What’s important to know is that we all have power over our thoughts, emotions and behaviors at all times. World Class thinkers sort it out and come out on top every time.
Cheers!
Lisa
Thanks Lisa!! Boo yah!
Two thumbs up Andrew! Boo yah! (I can say that because I have Marines in my family. ;))
Yes you can!! 🙂
Have you read “Night” by Elie Wiesel? I read it for school some time ago. It ends on a depressed note. You don’t know if Wiesel ever recovered from his Holocaust experiences; in fact, it leaves you thinking that they destroyed him. Reading your post…that’s amazing! I’m glad I found out the end of the story! You’re right, attitude makes all the difference. If Wiesel could do it, so can I.
I think “Night” should leave all of us somewhat destroyed. I don’t know how any human could make it through those awful and horrific experiences and be as wonderful as Mr. Wiesel, he is a testament to all the good in humanity. Meeting him was an experience I will never forget and a memory I cherish. Thanks for connecting, Perse! Boo Yah!
He is, at that. Ironic, considering he didn’t experience all that “good in humanity.” At the risk of sounding unfeeling…dare I quote Spok on these human psychological patterns? Fascinating.