Thursday, November 12, 2015

Thankful Thursday - Choice.

“I have lived through many wars and have lost everything many times including my husband, my mother and my beloved son. Yet, life is beautiful, and I have so much to learn and enjoy. I have no space nor time for pessimism and hate.” Alice Herz-Sommer

She's a hero....Alice Sommer, survivor of the holocaust, died last year at the age of 109. Always smiling. Always seeing the good in life, the positives and joy. Alice knew trauma. She knew cruelty. She had lived it, experienced it, yet something inside her refused to be reduced by the bad, the ugly, the brutal parts of life. She made a choice everyday to rise above it, to not allow the bad, the awful to keep her down or stuck in the darkness.

At age 96 when asked what she learned in her life, she replied,  "to be thankful, thankful for everything. Seeing the sun, a smile, a nice word from someone. Everything is a present. It depends on me whether life is good or bad. I know about the bad but I look at the good side."

I want to be like Alice and everyday see the beauty, and the small gifts that make life meaningful...someone's smile, the sun shining after the rain, a bird singing early in the morning. 
Today and everyday I choose to find the good, the beautiful, and live from that place.

Happy Thursday, Guys. 

9 comments:

Denise said...

amen my friend.

Launna said...

Happy Thursday Nikki... I want to be like Alice too... I need to change my mind set. Xox

I'm not going to write, I am hoping to come back eventually... I'll see how it goes after I change some things in my life. I also won't be reading or commenting for awhile but I'll be back soon as I'd miss you all toi much ♡

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Amen! What a wonderful woman Alice was! I am thankful that I am able to see the beautiful even when ugly things are happening around me. It's a choice I make. Every day. I too want to follow Alice's example. Have a lovely day, Nikki, and thank you for sharing.

Blessings,
Sandi

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

I'm always inspired by such people and their stories.

Connie said...

I think that is the best philosophy to have and to live by. I hope you have a nice week! :)

Sr Crystal Mary Lindsey said...

Thank you. This is so encouraging. I have been feeling so depressed. My two grown children are no longer friends. My elder son has blamed me for his own problems...and now I read about this wonderful thankful lady.. Beautiful. xxx

Sharon said...

What a testimony this woman was! And I love what she said about whether life is good or bad is a matter of choice. That really convicted me, in a good way.

Yes, happiness is fleeting, but JOY is a choice. And her sister is GRATITUDE!

GOD BLESS!

Lowcarb team member said...

What a beautiful post here ...
What an amazing and very special person Alice was ...

We could all learn from her.

I do hope your weekend will be a special one - enjoy the days.

All the best Jan

Lux G. said...

Gratitude really is important and goes a long way.
She's an inspiration. Thanks for sharing her story.