Ken Poirot's Blog - Posts Tagged "epic-battles-never-told"
George Washington, the average person, and "epic battles never told"...
So what do George Washington, the average person, and "epic battles never told" have in common?
...my thoughts as I penned this quote:
"Be Courageous: Succeed or Fail Monumentally!"
The photo quote can be found here:
http://www.goodreads.com/photo/author...
I purposely hunted for the iconic painting I had in mind: a public domain photo of George Washington crossing the Delaware River in order to depict this photo quote.
As many of you know, one of my interests is history, learning more about the history of the places to which I travel, as well as American history.
I grew up on Long Island, in a small village called Northport. As with many small villages and places on Long Island, there are signs (blue markers in this case) designating historical incidents in connection with The Revolutionary War.
I will never forget one of these signs in Northport; inscribed upon it is the story of a man who died defending his cow from seizure by the British (an historical marker placed to commemorate the approximate location) during The Revolutionary War. Just an average person...not the name of someone famous or recognizable from history.
Many times I have watched the well-produced series airing on "The History Channel" called, "The Revolution." I find it fascinating to learn about all the trials and tribulations of those times...all the events that played out behind the scenes. The drama present day Americans normally do not think about.
I am especially fascinated by the situations and circumstances surrounding George Washington during this time.
Many of you may be familiar with this series, "The Revolution," but for those of you who are not, it tells history by analyzing concurrent events from different points of view to help the viewer better understand the backdrop of the events described.
Scholars analyze and peel back the layers to uncover what was really happening at the time. Different opinions, perspectives, and the original thoughts in the minds of George Washington and his contemporaries are told by reading their actual letters written in response to specific events.
"The Revolution" reveals all the generals under George Washington who openly criticized him (in their own handwritten letters), his betrayal by Benedict Arnold (who many scholars believe would have been worthy of his own monument had he not become a traitor siding with the British), the lost battles, the under funding of George Washington's troops, the lack of even basic supplies, like food.
The series conveys the desperation and despondency George Washington must have felt at times, trying to fight the world's superpower, the British, on a shoe string budget, which sometimes meant troops literally without shoes or boots.
One of the most famous examples of this took place at Valley Forge. It is recorded, the lack of even the most basic resources for American soldiers during the Continental Army's brutal winter encampment there, forced some soldiers to boil their own shoes (the soldiers who actually had shoes) in order to eat them for sustenance.
The events leading up to that brutal winter at Valley Forge added to the sense of hopelessness most Americans must have been feeling at the time. It came on the heels of substantial, demoralizing defeats for the Continental Army, culminating in the loss of New York City to the British.
So what did George Washington do at Valley Forge?
He led his troops across the Delaware River, with some soldiers (who did not have shoes) wrapping their feet in rags, while leaving trails of blood in the snow from their poorly protected, frozen feet.
This malnourished, starving, battered, and disheveled American army surprised the British Hessian soldiers (German troops hired by the British) at Trenton on the other side of the Delaware River. This surprise attack orchestrated by George Washington gave the American colonists a much-needed, overwhelming victory, lifting their spirits.
Some scholars point to this victory at the Battle of Trenton as the single-most important psychological triumph in The Revolutionary War. This inspiring, courageous assault eventually led to America's supremacy in its fight for independence from England.
George Washington never gave up and continued to push on regardless of his circumstances.
Through all the obstacles, road blocks, uncertainty, back stabbing, betrayal, lack of resources, and with poorly trained, ragged average citizens as troops...George Washington still managed to prevail.
Many scholars have stated at times the Continental Congress even debated over the firing of George Washington as the commanding general of the Continental Army during this time.
After all this drama and with all the difficulties...George Washington led America to independence against arguably the greatest superpower in the world at that moment in history.
It is said George Washington invested so much personally in The Revolutionary War...of his own time, life (he was willing to die for the cause), and finances, that he even had to borrow money just to travel to his own inauguration as the first President of the United States.
George Washington was decimated financially by the war due to his complete commitment to the American cause.
Yes, there are monuments to George Washington and many of our Founding Fathers; they were victorious in the end against what many thought to be insurmountable odds.
...but what about the average person? What about the person who gives their all, gives everything for their dream(s), goal(s), or achievement(s)...and who does not win in the end?
Where are the monuments to these people...the ones whose stories we will never hear? What about their strife, or as I like to call it, their "epic battles never told."
As we know, life itself is a struggle. Every day can be an "epic battle never told" for the average person.
What is important is that no matter what happens in your life, no matter what obstacles you have to overcome to pursue your dreams...never, never, never give up!
Put it all on the line and risk it all for your beliefs and for your dreams. The small fraction who achieve astronomical success in life against all odds have monuments erected in their honor. Yet, those who strive, toil, struggle, and fail, fight "epic battles never told," never commemorated, or even whispered.
That average person, the farmer in Northport who died protecting his cow from the British, just happened to be memorialized by an historical marker. How many other average people died giving their lives for freedom during The Revolutionary War, whose stories, and "epic battles" we will never know?
What about your story? What about your "epic battles?"
It is better to give everything of yourself for your dreams, even if you fail in the end, versus not giving your all.
Live monumentally!
For if you toil, strive, and still fail in the end...it is better than not having the courage to give all of yourself completely, to lay all of yourself and your being on the line in order to achieve your dreams.
It is better to never have to ask, "What if?" about your life.
"What if" I had given it my all? What would have happened? How would it have changed my life if I had only had the courage to give all of myself completely to achieving my dreams or my goals? "What if" I had the courage to get up after being knocked down just one more time?
Courage is not lack of fear (a fear that paralyzes most people into lack of action); true courage is being afraid and taking action anyway.
Have the courage to never have to ask "What if?" about your life.
Live monumentally!
Give of yourself completely for your dreams. Invest all of yourself for what you want and what is most important to you.
Like George Washington, don't make excuses, hold back, or let any obstacle(s) defeat you!
Can you imagine if George Washington had just admitted the Continental Army could not win against the British due to the lack of funding, lack of resources, lack of supplies, back stabbing and betrayal by his generals, defeats in battle, and seemingly insurmountable odds against his better-trained and equipped British superpower opponent?
Never give up or surrender...no matter what the odds against you!
If you fail...fail monumentally by giving your dreams everything you have. If you get knocked down...get up again and fail on your feet.
It is better to be the "epic battle never told," to be the person who everyone can say never gave up or lost sight of their ultimate vision. Much better than just giving in or surrendering to defeat: being too afraid to fight an "epic battle" in the first place.
Never have to ask "What if?" about your life!
Engage your "epic battle." Confront the road blocks on your way to victory head-on. Have the courage to give of yourself completely to all that you do and set out to achieve.
When you succeed they may build monuments in your honor. At least live the "epic battle never told" and have the courage to never, ever give up or have to ask "What if?"
So I ask you...what are your obstacles? What are your insurmountable odds in the way of your success and your dreams?
When you feel defeated on the way to achieving your goals or dreams, think of that iconic image of George Washington crossing the Delaware River.
Yes, you may fail and you may be an "epic battle never told," or you may have monuments erected in your honor for your success in the face of insurmountable odds like George Washington.
Never, ever, ever give up! Never stay down after being knocked down in pursuit of your goals or dreams! Never surrender and never succumb to defeat!
Give it your all...give of yourself completely to the pursuit and achievement of your dreams! Never have to ask "What if? about your life!
"Be Courageous: Succeed or Fail Monumentally!"
http://www.goodreads.com/photo/author...
Warmly,
Ken
Ken Poirot
...my thoughts as I penned this quote:
"Be Courageous: Succeed or Fail Monumentally!"
The photo quote can be found here:
http://www.goodreads.com/photo/author...
I purposely hunted for the iconic painting I had in mind: a public domain photo of George Washington crossing the Delaware River in order to depict this photo quote.
As many of you know, one of my interests is history, learning more about the history of the places to which I travel, as well as American history.
I grew up on Long Island, in a small village called Northport. As with many small villages and places on Long Island, there are signs (blue markers in this case) designating historical incidents in connection with The Revolutionary War.
I will never forget one of these signs in Northport; inscribed upon it is the story of a man who died defending his cow from seizure by the British (an historical marker placed to commemorate the approximate location) during The Revolutionary War. Just an average person...not the name of someone famous or recognizable from history.
Many times I have watched the well-produced series airing on "The History Channel" called, "The Revolution." I find it fascinating to learn about all the trials and tribulations of those times...all the events that played out behind the scenes. The drama present day Americans normally do not think about.
I am especially fascinated by the situations and circumstances surrounding George Washington during this time.
Many of you may be familiar with this series, "The Revolution," but for those of you who are not, it tells history by analyzing concurrent events from different points of view to help the viewer better understand the backdrop of the events described.
Scholars analyze and peel back the layers to uncover what was really happening at the time. Different opinions, perspectives, and the original thoughts in the minds of George Washington and his contemporaries are told by reading their actual letters written in response to specific events.
"The Revolution" reveals all the generals under George Washington who openly criticized him (in their own handwritten letters), his betrayal by Benedict Arnold (who many scholars believe would have been worthy of his own monument had he not become a traitor siding with the British), the lost battles, the under funding of George Washington's troops, the lack of even basic supplies, like food.
The series conveys the desperation and despondency George Washington must have felt at times, trying to fight the world's superpower, the British, on a shoe string budget, which sometimes meant troops literally without shoes or boots.
One of the most famous examples of this took place at Valley Forge. It is recorded, the lack of even the most basic resources for American soldiers during the Continental Army's brutal winter encampment there, forced some soldiers to boil their own shoes (the soldiers who actually had shoes) in order to eat them for sustenance.
The events leading up to that brutal winter at Valley Forge added to the sense of hopelessness most Americans must have been feeling at the time. It came on the heels of substantial, demoralizing defeats for the Continental Army, culminating in the loss of New York City to the British.
So what did George Washington do at Valley Forge?
He led his troops across the Delaware River, with some soldiers (who did not have shoes) wrapping their feet in rags, while leaving trails of blood in the snow from their poorly protected, frozen feet.
This malnourished, starving, battered, and disheveled American army surprised the British Hessian soldiers (German troops hired by the British) at Trenton on the other side of the Delaware River. This surprise attack orchestrated by George Washington gave the American colonists a much-needed, overwhelming victory, lifting their spirits.
Some scholars point to this victory at the Battle of Trenton as the single-most important psychological triumph in The Revolutionary War. This inspiring, courageous assault eventually led to America's supremacy in its fight for independence from England.
George Washington never gave up and continued to push on regardless of his circumstances.
Through all the obstacles, road blocks, uncertainty, back stabbing, betrayal, lack of resources, and with poorly trained, ragged average citizens as troops...George Washington still managed to prevail.
Many scholars have stated at times the Continental Congress even debated over the firing of George Washington as the commanding general of the Continental Army during this time.
After all this drama and with all the difficulties...George Washington led America to independence against arguably the greatest superpower in the world at that moment in history.
It is said George Washington invested so much personally in The Revolutionary War...of his own time, life (he was willing to die for the cause), and finances, that he even had to borrow money just to travel to his own inauguration as the first President of the United States.
George Washington was decimated financially by the war due to his complete commitment to the American cause.
Yes, there are monuments to George Washington and many of our Founding Fathers; they were victorious in the end against what many thought to be insurmountable odds.
...but what about the average person? What about the person who gives their all, gives everything for their dream(s), goal(s), or achievement(s)...and who does not win in the end?
Where are the monuments to these people...the ones whose stories we will never hear? What about their strife, or as I like to call it, their "epic battles never told."
As we know, life itself is a struggle. Every day can be an "epic battle never told" for the average person.
What is important is that no matter what happens in your life, no matter what obstacles you have to overcome to pursue your dreams...never, never, never give up!
Put it all on the line and risk it all for your beliefs and for your dreams. The small fraction who achieve astronomical success in life against all odds have monuments erected in their honor. Yet, those who strive, toil, struggle, and fail, fight "epic battles never told," never commemorated, or even whispered.
That average person, the farmer in Northport who died protecting his cow from the British, just happened to be memorialized by an historical marker. How many other average people died giving their lives for freedom during The Revolutionary War, whose stories, and "epic battles" we will never know?
What about your story? What about your "epic battles?"
It is better to give everything of yourself for your dreams, even if you fail in the end, versus not giving your all.
Live monumentally!
For if you toil, strive, and still fail in the end...it is better than not having the courage to give all of yourself completely, to lay all of yourself and your being on the line in order to achieve your dreams.
It is better to never have to ask, "What if?" about your life.
"What if" I had given it my all? What would have happened? How would it have changed my life if I had only had the courage to give all of myself completely to achieving my dreams or my goals? "What if" I had the courage to get up after being knocked down just one more time?
Courage is not lack of fear (a fear that paralyzes most people into lack of action); true courage is being afraid and taking action anyway.
Have the courage to never have to ask "What if?" about your life.
Live monumentally!
Give of yourself completely for your dreams. Invest all of yourself for what you want and what is most important to you.
Like George Washington, don't make excuses, hold back, or let any obstacle(s) defeat you!
Can you imagine if George Washington had just admitted the Continental Army could not win against the British due to the lack of funding, lack of resources, lack of supplies, back stabbing and betrayal by his generals, defeats in battle, and seemingly insurmountable odds against his better-trained and equipped British superpower opponent?
Never give up or surrender...no matter what the odds against you!
If you fail...fail monumentally by giving your dreams everything you have. If you get knocked down...get up again and fail on your feet.
It is better to be the "epic battle never told," to be the person who everyone can say never gave up or lost sight of their ultimate vision. Much better than just giving in or surrendering to defeat: being too afraid to fight an "epic battle" in the first place.
Never have to ask "What if?" about your life!
Engage your "epic battle." Confront the road blocks on your way to victory head-on. Have the courage to give of yourself completely to all that you do and set out to achieve.
When you succeed they may build monuments in your honor. At least live the "epic battle never told" and have the courage to never, ever give up or have to ask "What if?"
So I ask you...what are your obstacles? What are your insurmountable odds in the way of your success and your dreams?
When you feel defeated on the way to achieving your goals or dreams, think of that iconic image of George Washington crossing the Delaware River.
Yes, you may fail and you may be an "epic battle never told," or you may have monuments erected in your honor for your success in the face of insurmountable odds like George Washington.
Never, ever, ever give up! Never stay down after being knocked down in pursuit of your goals or dreams! Never surrender and never succumb to defeat!
Give it your all...give of yourself completely to the pursuit and achievement of your dreams! Never have to ask "What if? about your life!
"Be Courageous: Succeed or Fail Monumentally!"
http://www.goodreads.com/photo/author...
Warmly,
Ken
Ken Poirot
Give Compassion: Death in Poland and Germany...
There are many stories I remember from my career both as a financial services representative (financial advisor) as well as from managing financial advisors.
Yet, one story sticks out in my mind above all others.
It was my first job as a financial advisor working for a bank. I had been with the bank for about three months and a gentleman left his card at the front desk asking the teller about buying some US Treasuries.
The gentleman had an office in the same building as the bank; the bank was only leasing about half the first floor of that particular building.
Everyone in the branch knew the gentleman was very wealthy, yet his business with the bank averaged about $15,000 a month in a checking account. That was the total extent of his relationship with the bank.
Everything is relative in life...for a gentleman worth hundreds of millions of dollars, that was not much of a relationship with the bank...it was obvious the bulk of his business was somewhere else.
All the bankers knew the gentleman; he had a reputation for being quick-tempered and difficult. Other professionals the bankers knew had told them stories about bad experiences working with him, sudden outbursts, extreme anger, and renegotiating hourly billing/fees after services had already been rendered.
I also found out the previous financial advisor who had worked at my location for over five years had met with him multiple times. They had never done any business together.
One of the senior bankers gave me a great piece of information right before my meeting, he said, "Did you see the tattoo on his wrist?"
It was a good observation because I had not noticed it, nor did I have any idea what kind of tattoo it could have been.
I said, "No." ...the senior banker looked at me and said, "It is a tattoo from a Nazi concentration camp...he is a World War II concentration camp survivor."
I was fairly young at the time. I had studied some about the World War II concentration camps and seen some of the horrible photos...but I had never met anyone who had survived or been through such a horrific experience.
I said "Thank you" to the senior banker and proceeded to my meeting with at least some idea this gentleman had an unimaginably terrible past.
My goal with him was the same goal I have with anyone I meet:
...ask questions, listen, let the person know I care about their situation, and offer assistance if I can.
True empathy and caring is the one trait that is either part of someone's DNA or it isn't.
You can't train someone how to care or teach someone to be a caring person if it is just not part of their nature.
Whenever I interview or hire employees, I specifically ask questions to see if the candidate exhibits characteristics of high empathy; a deep-rooted, sincere caring for others.
I can train someone to be more productive, I can train someone to be more effective, or more proficient at their job...but I cannot train someone to care who just does not have it within themselves.
Similarly, in personal relationships, you can't expect empathy or care from someone who is just not a caring person; they will not change.
If someone hurts you, does not care about your feelings, and displays no empathy for you or others...it is best to reconsider that relationship.
You can't turn someone into a caring person who does not have caring or empathy as part of their DNA. If you are with a selfish person who does not care about you or your feelings...they will never become a giving, caring, loving person.
Through the coming months and years in my relationship with this gentleman, I learned of the true horrors of life in a Nazi Germany concentration camp. One can never fully imagine or understand the experience, but only listen in dread to the every day atrocities.
I learned he was in hiding with his family in Poland during the German invasion and occupation. He, his mother, his father, older brother, and youngest brother.
They knew they were putting other people at risk, the families who were harboring them, so they decided to hand themselves over to the Nazi's. They had no idea, nor did anyone at the time, what the Nazi's were really doing to the Jews they rounded up and captured.
The last day he saw his mother and youngest brother was that day, the day they turned themselves in; his mother and youngest brother were taken to a different concentration camp and he never saw them again.
His father and oldest brother were transferred over and over again to four different concentration camps in five years. He said the worst experiences were the train rides from camp to camp. People packed in, as many as could fit in a sealed train car in the searing heat of summer. People defecating, peeing, literally dying and laying on each other, corpses decaying for hours and hours in the sweltering heat.
The most excruciating part he said, was the constant hunger and thirst every day. People eating rocks in the field just to put something in their stomachs. A cup of turnip soup the only sustenance for anyone, self digesting, starving with hunger and thirst, day after day, hour after hour, minute after minute, second after second...literally the hunger and thirst driving people mad.
As he told me, death was something you saw, experienced, and lived with each day. People dying from sickness,weakened by starvation, dehydration, or from being shot right next to you by a guard.
Feeling the sound of the gun reverberate through your ears and chest, as your ears rang and you felt the blood spatter on your face. You dare not move or even look anywhere but straight ahead for fear you would be the next one shot just for blinking.
In the final moments of his incarceration, the Nazi's took the remaining survivors on a "death march." The Allies were coming and they were evacuating the concentration camp.
He was with his father and oldest brother...they were all together and had survived five years of hell during the Holocaust.
He offered to carry a backpack for one of the German soldiers, in exchange for some kindness...in hopes for a piece of bread.
The soldier offered him some bread and when he returned to sit and share it with his oldest brother and father...the soldiers tried to physically restrain him and stop him. They asked him loudly in German, "What are you doing? That was for you, not them!"
He explained...the two men are his father and oldest brother. The soldier called all the other soldiers over and they pointed and marveled...speaking in German. They were shocked any family members related to each other had made it out alive together. The German soldiers were amazed by this. They allowed him to share his tiny piece of bread with his brother and father.
The Allies came...they were finally freed and liberated.
The next memory he shared with me was the feeling he had sitting down on a curb in New York City after having just arrived in the United States. He recalled eating a sardine sandwich and that it was the best, most satisfying, and greatest tasting moment of his life. After years of starvation and thirst, that could and did literally drive people insane...the sensation of eating...the texture, the feeling of real food in his mouth was the best memory of his life.
It is also important to remember. All these people in the Nazi concentration camps...these were just average people.
These people, men, women, and children who lived through this experience and those who died...they were not soldiers. They were just average citizens who were one day stripped of their freedom and made to endure these atrocities in the Nazi concentration camps.
That is what I was thinking when I wrote this quote, “Give Compassion: Every day the average person fights epic battles never told just to survive.”
You just do not know what someone has been through in their life. When you meet someone, if they are mean, terse, or a bit nasty to you...there is always a reason why.
Try to find the reason...ask, listen, care...give compassion. It makes all the difference in the world. You will be surprised how quickly some people will change their tone if you just ask, listen, and show real, sincere empathy.
So what if my client, the Holocaust survivor, could be a bit difficult, angry, or cantankerous at times? After all the epic battles he fought in his life...he had more than earned the right to be angry or distrustful of his fellow man.
He had seen and lived through the worst of humanity...horrors you or I could never truly understand or ever fully imagine.
Ask, listen, and give compassion!
For the reasons written above, I chose a US military photo for this photo quote. It was taken after liberating those who had lived through, suffered, and experienced the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp. In this case the camp's name is Gusen (Austria).
Look into the eyes of the gentleman in the photo and remember my client's personal story.
Remember this photo when you encounter someone who is a bit upset, angry, or even downright mean. Just remember, you don't know "the epic battles never told" that person may have been through in their life just to survive.
Ask, listen,...give compassion!
Below is the photo quote:
https://www.goodreads.com/photo/autho...
Ken Poirot
Warmly,
Ken Poirot
Yet, one story sticks out in my mind above all others.
It was my first job as a financial advisor working for a bank. I had been with the bank for about three months and a gentleman left his card at the front desk asking the teller about buying some US Treasuries.
The gentleman had an office in the same building as the bank; the bank was only leasing about half the first floor of that particular building.
Everyone in the branch knew the gentleman was very wealthy, yet his business with the bank averaged about $15,000 a month in a checking account. That was the total extent of his relationship with the bank.
Everything is relative in life...for a gentleman worth hundreds of millions of dollars, that was not much of a relationship with the bank...it was obvious the bulk of his business was somewhere else.
All the bankers knew the gentleman; he had a reputation for being quick-tempered and difficult. Other professionals the bankers knew had told them stories about bad experiences working with him, sudden outbursts, extreme anger, and renegotiating hourly billing/fees after services had already been rendered.
I also found out the previous financial advisor who had worked at my location for over five years had met with him multiple times. They had never done any business together.
One of the senior bankers gave me a great piece of information right before my meeting, he said, "Did you see the tattoo on his wrist?"
It was a good observation because I had not noticed it, nor did I have any idea what kind of tattoo it could have been.
I said, "No." ...the senior banker looked at me and said, "It is a tattoo from a Nazi concentration camp...he is a World War II concentration camp survivor."
I was fairly young at the time. I had studied some about the World War II concentration camps and seen some of the horrible photos...but I had never met anyone who had survived or been through such a horrific experience.
I said "Thank you" to the senior banker and proceeded to my meeting with at least some idea this gentleman had an unimaginably terrible past.
My goal with him was the same goal I have with anyone I meet:
...ask questions, listen, let the person know I care about their situation, and offer assistance if I can.
True empathy and caring is the one trait that is either part of someone's DNA or it isn't.
You can't train someone how to care or teach someone to be a caring person if it is just not part of their nature.
Whenever I interview or hire employees, I specifically ask questions to see if the candidate exhibits characteristics of high empathy; a deep-rooted, sincere caring for others.
I can train someone to be more productive, I can train someone to be more effective, or more proficient at their job...but I cannot train someone to care who just does not have it within themselves.
Similarly, in personal relationships, you can't expect empathy or care from someone who is just not a caring person; they will not change.
If someone hurts you, does not care about your feelings, and displays no empathy for you or others...it is best to reconsider that relationship.
You can't turn someone into a caring person who does not have caring or empathy as part of their DNA. If you are with a selfish person who does not care about you or your feelings...they will never become a giving, caring, loving person.
Through the coming months and years in my relationship with this gentleman, I learned of the true horrors of life in a Nazi Germany concentration camp. One can never fully imagine or understand the experience, but only listen in dread to the every day atrocities.
I learned he was in hiding with his family in Poland during the German invasion and occupation. He, his mother, his father, older brother, and youngest brother.
They knew they were putting other people at risk, the families who were harboring them, so they decided to hand themselves over to the Nazi's. They had no idea, nor did anyone at the time, what the Nazi's were really doing to the Jews they rounded up and captured.
The last day he saw his mother and youngest brother was that day, the day they turned themselves in; his mother and youngest brother were taken to a different concentration camp and he never saw them again.
His father and oldest brother were transferred over and over again to four different concentration camps in five years. He said the worst experiences were the train rides from camp to camp. People packed in, as many as could fit in a sealed train car in the searing heat of summer. People defecating, peeing, literally dying and laying on each other, corpses decaying for hours and hours in the sweltering heat.
The most excruciating part he said, was the constant hunger and thirst every day. People eating rocks in the field just to put something in their stomachs. A cup of turnip soup the only sustenance for anyone, self digesting, starving with hunger and thirst, day after day, hour after hour, minute after minute, second after second...literally the hunger and thirst driving people mad.
As he told me, death was something you saw, experienced, and lived with each day. People dying from sickness,weakened by starvation, dehydration, or from being shot right next to you by a guard.
Feeling the sound of the gun reverberate through your ears and chest, as your ears rang and you felt the blood spatter on your face. You dare not move or even look anywhere but straight ahead for fear you would be the next one shot just for blinking.
In the final moments of his incarceration, the Nazi's took the remaining survivors on a "death march." The Allies were coming and they were evacuating the concentration camp.
He was with his father and oldest brother...they were all together and had survived five years of hell during the Holocaust.
He offered to carry a backpack for one of the German soldiers, in exchange for some kindness...in hopes for a piece of bread.
The soldier offered him some bread and when he returned to sit and share it with his oldest brother and father...the soldiers tried to physically restrain him and stop him. They asked him loudly in German, "What are you doing? That was for you, not them!"
He explained...the two men are his father and oldest brother. The soldier called all the other soldiers over and they pointed and marveled...speaking in German. They were shocked any family members related to each other had made it out alive together. The German soldiers were amazed by this. They allowed him to share his tiny piece of bread with his brother and father.
The Allies came...they were finally freed and liberated.
The next memory he shared with me was the feeling he had sitting down on a curb in New York City after having just arrived in the United States. He recalled eating a sardine sandwich and that it was the best, most satisfying, and greatest tasting moment of his life. After years of starvation and thirst, that could and did literally drive people insane...the sensation of eating...the texture, the feeling of real food in his mouth was the best memory of his life.
It is also important to remember. All these people in the Nazi concentration camps...these were just average people.
These people, men, women, and children who lived through this experience and those who died...they were not soldiers. They were just average citizens who were one day stripped of their freedom and made to endure these atrocities in the Nazi concentration camps.
That is what I was thinking when I wrote this quote, “Give Compassion: Every day the average person fights epic battles never told just to survive.”
You just do not know what someone has been through in their life. When you meet someone, if they are mean, terse, or a bit nasty to you...there is always a reason why.
Try to find the reason...ask, listen, care...give compassion. It makes all the difference in the world. You will be surprised how quickly some people will change their tone if you just ask, listen, and show real, sincere empathy.
So what if my client, the Holocaust survivor, could be a bit difficult, angry, or cantankerous at times? After all the epic battles he fought in his life...he had more than earned the right to be angry or distrustful of his fellow man.
He had seen and lived through the worst of humanity...horrors you or I could never truly understand or ever fully imagine.
Ask, listen, and give compassion!
For the reasons written above, I chose a US military photo for this photo quote. It was taken after liberating those who had lived through, suffered, and experienced the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp. In this case the camp's name is Gusen (Austria).
Look into the eyes of the gentleman in the photo and remember my client's personal story.
Remember this photo when you encounter someone who is a bit upset, angry, or even downright mean. Just remember, you don't know "the epic battles never told" that person may have been through in their life just to survive.
Ask, listen,...give compassion!
Below is the photo quote:
https://www.goodreads.com/photo/autho...
Ken Poirot
Warmly,
Ken Poirot
