Miep Gies passed away on January 11th at the age of 100.  Her claim to fame was being known as a “helper” of Anne Frank.  I read the obituary of all places on the news channel on my Wii.  There was this quote from Gies that I find one of the most profound things that I have read in a while:

“I am afraid that if people feel that I am a very special person, a sort of heroine, they may doubt whether they will do the same I once did. Not many consider themself very talented or courageous and thus would refrain from helping endangered people. This the reason that I want everyone to know that I am a very common and cautious woman and definitely not a genius or dare-devil. I did help like so many others who ran the same or more risk than me. It was necessary so I helped.”

Human beings seem to want heroes – someone that we can look up to.  When we are young, we are asked at school,  “Who is your hero?”  I remember thinking that my mother was my hero – and in those days I did think she was practically perfect.  Unfortunately when someone is on a pedestal all that is likely is that they will fall, even our parents.  And how we love to find out all the details when they do fall. (One only has to think of Tiger Woods as  the latest scandal celebrities who has come crashing to earth.) It reminds us that each and everyone of us is only human.  We are not perfect and we have our flaws.  We need to distinguish between making someone the ultimate role model and instead identify those individuals who are modeling the behaviour that is truly courageous.

“Helping people who are in danger is not a matter of courage but from making a decision that every human being has to make in his life when he or she distinguishes between good and bad.”

Perhaps not ordinary times but, certainly, Gies and her colleagues were ordinary people. Their actions changed the lives of not only those they hid but they directly influenced the lives of people all over the world.  They did what needed to be done.  They knew immediately the difference between good and bad.  Today, I am not so sure that this is the case.  What is the right decision?  Beyond the complexities of misinformation and “confusing” ethics we somehow have sidelined character. It may mean listening to our heart. It may be responding to our gut.  Wherever you feel it in your own body – you will know and you will know if you have listened or not.

Geis is right – it is about making a decision and acting.  Some days when I am feeling pessimistic, I worry that inaction will become the norm.  However, most days I feel uplifted by our humanity.  The response to the recent crisis is Haiti is a good example.  We want to be helpers and do good.

“It is always better to try than to do nothing, because not trying secures complete failure.”

How many times have we read this sentiment? Influence, recognition and power are not true motivators. I believe we all have a basic human need to help others and do the right thing.  Sometimes it is good to be reminded.  What is necessary for you to be doing today?

To all the helpers — Thank you.

“I am not a hero but did what I seemed necessary at the time.”

The quotes used here come from the Miep Gies website.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Rare courage (news.bbc.co.uk)  Please see this short slide show.
• Anne Frank’s Protector (learning.blogs.nytimes.com)

Popularity: 61% [?]