The Gift
Ratings5
Average rating4.8
15
Ratings5
Average rating4.8
The prison is in your mind. The key is in your pocket. In the end, it's not what happens to us that matters most - it's what we choose to do with it. We all face suffering - sadness, loss, despair, fear, anxiety, failure. But we also have a choice; to give in and give up in the face of trauma or difficulties, or to live every moment as a gift. Celebrated therapist and Holocaust survivor, Dr Edith Eger, provides a hands-on guide that gently encourages us to change the imprisoning thoughts and destructive behaviours that may be holding us back. Accompanied by stories from Eger's own life and the lives of her patients her empowering lessons help you to see your darkest moments as your greatest teachers and find freedom through the strength that lies within.
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This was less powerful than The Choice, Eger's memoir and introduction to her philosophy of life that informs her psychotherapy practice. In The Gift she details more of the latter, in 12 chapters focusing on different thought patterns we can use to change ourselves and meet our lives with more courage and inner strength. Not much was new, it's all good psychological advice, but coming through her perspective as a Holocaust survivor it's particularly valuable; one can't say that she herself has not known adversity. Missing is any awareness of more recent advances in neuroscience and trauma therapy that go beyond talk and cognitive therapy alone. I would really like to know Dr. Eger's thoughts on this field - maybe in the next book.
