I recently listened to The Choice by Edith Eger, and what a powerful, humbling story it is.
Her journey from Auschwitz survivor to psychologist is extraordinary, not only because of what she endured, but because of what she chose to become afterwards. There is a quiet strength in her writing. It does not shout. It invites.
The quote that resonated with me most was her reflection on assertiveness:
“To be passive is to let others decide for you. To be aggressive is to decide for others. To be assertive is to decide for yourself.”
I have deep respect for Edith Eger and for the grace with which she carries her story. Survival is one thing. Choosing growth, contribution and healing afterwards is something else entirely.
I also found it interesting that both Edith Eger and Viktor Frankl share the story of a prisoner who fixed their hope on a specific date, believing they would be saved by then, and when that day arrived without rescue, they died soon afterwards. It is a haunting illustration of how fragile hope can become when it is tied to a single outcome. Knowing that Eger and Frankl later became friends and shared a professional respect makes the overlap feel less like repetition and more like a shared psychological truth forged in the same unbearable environment. Some experiences are not owned by one voice. They belong to history, and to the human condition.
