holocaust survivor in my midst! Shabbat evening Friday May 30^th 2010, my father-in-law, some family members, and Joseph Stevens, a 92 year old Polish Jew, survived World War II by outsmarting the Nazis: he posed as a Catholic by day and engaged in missions for the underground resistance movement by night.

On telling him I had read his book. He replied, “You are not the first one to read it!”

At first I felt estranged by his reaction, which got me thinking because it wasn’t the response I was anticipating. I was expecting a question like what did you think, or a simple thank you, or basic acknowledgement, but it seemed a strange response. Perhaps it was appropriate as later during our feast he caught my attention, and said he never intended to write the book, and definitely didn’t want to expose his children to certain things he had omitted from the book. Presumably sordid atrocities too painful to relate!

Joseph Stevens is a humble while decent man who radiates a beaming shine on his face, still has all his teeth, seems affectionate and caring, and grateful to live another day. His persona comes across as someone who has learned to cope with losing everything dear to him, his family, possessions, and environment stripped away by a devil. This is someone to be admired for the courage he has shown, the willingness to overcome obstacles, and the dynamic disposition to beat oppression. He is a man we can all learn from!

So what is the lesson here? Everything in life has a consequence. Everything can be going in the right direction, then all of a sudden the impossible occurs, and we find ourselves back to square one. Everyone has to deal with it, some better than others, so the right attitude is to learn how to overcome it and prosper. We have to try and try until we build strength to fight another day. This might seem obvious, but then why do so many people succumb to the negative force?

We learn from going without, and by not having we should become stronger and better people, so keep taking forward steps even when times are hard then eventually a method or answer will pop up and we pull through. It is human nature, so don’t be scared of it, but rather embrace it and carry on until a solution is found.

Fear can be turned into a positive emotion and ally to deal with issues on the basis of my comments above, so talk to yourself more frequently in times of need and bring out the true warrior spirit!

Joseph Steven’s book, ‘Good Morning’ , is a worthwhile read!