Prisoners of Our Past

        I rented a very powerful movie a couple nights ago. The backdrop for this documentary is disturbing and definitely not for everyone. Unfathomable as it sounds,  'Forgiving Dr Mengele'  is about Holocaust survivor Eva Kor's courageous mission to tell her story and forgive the Nazis( and eventually Dr Joseph Mengele) for all of their wrongdoings at Auschwitz before/ during World War II.

     Known as Dr Death, Joseph Mengele was the most twisted of Hitler's SS death squad. Under the guise of 'research', Joseph Mengele separated all the identical twins and conducted series of  intrusive and unforgivable tests that lasted for months at a time. Most didn't survive.  Eva Kor, the ultimate survivor, and a select few of the 'Mengele Twins' lived to tell the tale. Living on no more than crumbs and contaminated water, Eva said her prayers daily and  'scolded others for dieing' as she to refusing to give up. The rest is history.

          "We might not live in the past, but the past lives in us" 
                                                
                                                     - Samual Pisal
                                                      Holocaust Survivor

       I was so moved by Eva Kor's drive and inner strength. Number one, to actually live through that harrowing experience is mind blowing. But to have to guts(and wisdom) to actually know that the path to inner peace is to accept and move on from life's trials and tribulations. To not allow our enemies to live 'rent free' in our minds.......to forgive(but not forget) and 'let go' of our past is daunting. She was quoted as saying  "revenge has never been known to heal anyone". All I can say is "Wow".

      As she walks us through the history of her experience at Auschwitz, Eva's method of recovery stemmed from her desire to 'not be a prisoner ever again'. Forgiving those who've harmed her most, Eva took this thought to a whole new level and  killed all her demons with kindness. This story  has made me re-think my position on recovery( Full recovery is only achieved when family members show true remorse).

    I still believe that true remorse will undoubtedly assist those in the process of recovery. But  if those that hurt us are gone and/or not reachable, we have to find a way to slience our 'unquiet minds' and refuse to be prisoners of our past. Forgiveness is the answer. And I'd like to thank Eva Kor for reminding me of this.