Journal #5

Journal #5-from chapter 5 A day begins like every day, so long as not to allow us reasonably to conceive its end, so much cold, so much hunger, so much exhaustion separate us from it:so that it is better to concentrate one's attention and desires on the block of grey bread, which is small but which will certainly be ours in an hour, and which for five minutes, until we have devoured it, will form everything that the law of the place allows us to possess. From this passage, I am able to see how something so simple as bread brings happiness and allows the Jews to forget their exhaustion and coldness. This passage also shows how every morning was exhausted and the same. Living with cold, hunger, and exhaustion every day would have been like living in hell. If I had to live in this condition, I would always think of home and would rather die than having to survive in this condition. However, even if I was a Jew, I would always be so happy when I received my bread. The moment I received my bread, I would savor every bite and forget that I was cold and exhausted. Before people lived in concentration camps, many Jews would probably never thought that something so little and simple can bring happiness. Even now there are countries that are still undeveloped such as the Philippines and Cambodia. When I went on a mission trip to these countries it struck me that I had so much compared to the people in Philippines and Cambodia. Even though I had so many things compared to the people, I always complained and wanted more. By going to a mission trip, I was able to see how thankful I should be and my warm love that was so simple brought happiness to people in Cambodia and the Philippines. I think people should be thankful for what they have because there are other people out there that have nothing. This book is about survival, but it also shows a lesson in life.