“I was physically imprisoned, but free in my mind.”
Edith Eger passed away on April 27, 2026, at the age of 98. In 2021, I attended a Zoom call with Edith (and 3,000 others) that left a deep impression on me.
She lived to 98, danced, wrote, healed others and herself, and traveled the world to share her story.
The paradox she carried with her all her life: that people who have never been in Auschwitz keep themselves imprisoned — with the key in their own pocket.
Not meant as blame; it is an invitation. Precisely because she knew what true captivity felt like, she could also see how unnecessarily we so often limit ourselves.
Read my post from 2021 below:
Yesterday I attended the online interview with Edith Eger, author of The Choice and The Gift. The interview was organized by School of Life and had around 3,000 listeners.
Edith Eger, Holocaust survivor and trauma psychologist, is now 93 years old. There was something deeply moving about watching her — beautifully dressed, wearing a cheerful shawl and a butterfly necklace. Her grandson assisted her with the technology. Her eyesight is no longer very good, but her mind is sharp.
With full attention she does her best to answer the interviewer’s questions. Occasionally she would launch into her own reflections – life lessons she wants to pass on to the next generation. Important lessons, but also smaller pieces of advice such as “eat a piece of chocolate every day — that’s better than eating a whole box at once.”
She closes every public appearance with a high kick, to show that as a former ballerina she hasn’t forgotten how to dance.
A few beautiful lessons I’m taking with me:
Suffering is universal, victimhood is optional.
Don’t wait for someone to come and free you. (Edith:) In Auschwitz I turned my anger into compassion for the guards. I was physically imprisoned, but free in my mind. Love, and choosing for life rather than against Hitler, gave me strength. I didn’t ask “why me?” but “what now?”
We often keep ourselves imprisoned — with our thoughts — while the key is in our own pocket.
In life, doors close. Look for a window then, or a chimney.
What you think, you create. Don’t be against something — be for something!
Freedom is accepting yourself as you are. Don’t compare yourself to others. Many people can do what you can do. But there is only one unique you! Love yourself!
The search for your true self is a lifelong journey. Look at yourself from a distance.
What have you given up in order to meet the expectations of your family or society?
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