The Gift – The Book That Will Change Your Life

The Gift

It is not very often that I read a book knowing that my life has been changed forever because of it. I read this book a while ago and to this day I still, find myself thinking about its message. This is a book I will revisit and reread often; a book I would give as a gift to friends and family.

I first came across Dr. Eger’s incredible life story while listening to one of my favorite podcasts Live Better Live More. The host (Dr. Chatterjee) discussed the book and Dr. Eger’s approach to life with all the hardship and challenges it presents to us.

“The book is a practical guide to help us identify our mental prisons and develop the tools we need to become free.”

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What I loved most about both the book and Dr. Eger herself, is her powerful message; moreover, it is the accessibility of her writing, and the distillment of challenging topics and ideas within an easy-to-follow format. Her positive, yet practical, approach to life is so refreshing and so inspiring. 

Every page of the book holds a lesson and an encouraging message, aimed at helping readers continue on their individual journeys toward a healthier and happier life. 

My greatest takeaway from the book is rooted in Dr. Eger’s ability to overcome her trauma. This resilience she illustrates throughout the book made me realize how vital having the right mindset and values is in life, especially with regard to achieving happier and better living. It is not having more or doing more. It is loving ourselves more and creating a healthy mindset. 

“Self-love is self-care.”

Bad things happen all the time; however, they don’t define us. We can learn from bad experiences and come out the other side stronger than before. We can use the hardships we endure to transform ourselves into better and more resilient human beings. Hardships are not punishments, rather, they are our teachers.

“It is not what happens to us that matters most, it’s what we do with our experiences.”

. . .

Dr. Eger is an extraordinary woman. She not only survived the horrors of the Nazi concentration camps but also used her experiences to help and teach others how to become the best versions of themselves. Her outlook on life is restoring, moving, and tremendously helpful.

Her personal story of becoming a psychologist at the age of 50 inspired me to start my journey to become a transition coach.

These are just a couple of the topics the book covers. The lessons apply to everyone and almost every circumstance. I highly recommend that every one of you read it and, if you have the time, also watch some of her interviews where she further discusses these ideas.

“The Gift” is Dr. Eger’s second book. In her previous book “The Choice” she tells her story and shares the important events she witnessed in her lifetime and is on my list of books to read!

About the Author

Edith Eva (Edie) Eger (Košice, September 29, 1927) born to Hungarian Jewish parents, is a psychologist practicing in the United States. She is a Holocaust survivor and a specialist in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. (Source: Wikipedia)

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Have you read the book? Have you read any of Dr. Eger’s other publications? I would love to hear from you. Please share your views and recommendations in the comments section below or if you’d like you can contact me directly.

I am offering a free 1-hour discovery session for new clients. I would love to talk to you and help you get on the road to becoming the best version of yourself.

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