Gratitude in Auschwitz

Living in a fallen world means people won’t always do what they say they will do. Living in a fallen world means people will be vindictive and even outright evil. At its worst, think Nazis and the “Final Solution.” 

As leaders, we need to build up the muscles to withstand the small people that are looking to take down those of us seeking to be good and do good.  

I recently read, the little liar. (top 5 book of all time for me!) 

I found a discreet moment in this story of incredible leadership in a dark moment. It was a valiant act to withstand the Nazis. It is something all of us can do as leaders regardless of our situation. 

Gratitude. 

Lazarre, now a skeletal version of his old thick self, would ask everyone to recite one thing they were grateful for that day. 

“I had an extra spoonful of soup,” one man said. 

“My rotted tooth finally fell out,” said another. 

“I wasn’t beaten.” 

“My foot stopped bleeding.” 

“I slept through the night.” 

“The guard that was torturing me got switched to another block.” 

“I saw a bird.” 

These brave souls were finding hope in literal hell. Lazarre was being a leader in the darkest of places on earth. Auschwitz.

As Hal Elrod (founder of Miracle morning) shares: “Gratitude liberates us from suffering.” Lazarre was helping his companions escape suffering for a moment. 

Gratitude is an act of raising your emotional state and your level of consciousness. From the parable from last week of the Two Wolves, it is a way of feeding the Truthful Wolf. 

If the Auschwitz victims can find something to be grateful for. I certainly can in every situation I might find myself in for the days, months, and years ahead. 

Leaders must have the skills to rise above the inevitable acts of evil or disappointment. Light always beats darkness but we must build the resilience to turn on the lights when it is needed most. 

Onward, 

Matt