I read these two quotes recently, as written by Anne Frank in her diary, The Diary of a Young Girl. This diary was written during a period of historic threat, the 1942 Nazi Occupation of Amsterdam where this 13 y.o. Jewish girl and her family and another family had to hide out in the small attic in which they stowed away in what was formerly her father’s business. Crowded and needing to be silent as to not be found, she quietly wrote and shared her personal thoughts, fears, hopes and experiences during this treacherous time, that ultimately took her family’s life. She is one of the best manifestations of courage and resilience I know of. These two quotes from her diary, I find powerful and timely.
“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As long as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.” – Anne Frank
And:
“How lovely to think that no one need wait a moment, we can start now, start slowly changing the world! How lovely that everyone, great and small, can make their contribution toward introducing justice straightaway…. And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness!” – Anne Frank
