Enduring life lessons for humanity – from the diary of a young girl, Anne Frank.

I don’t recall how old I was when I read Anne Frank’s diary for the first time. And I couldn’t tell you how many times I have read it since that first time.

But I can tell you with complete certainty, her words, her heart, and her life have touched me deeply. And will for the remainder of my days.

Anne Frank was only 13 years old when she and her family went into hiding from the Nazis in WWII.

Anne, along with her older sister Margo, mother and father, and 4 others spent 2 years in hiding in a ‘Secret Annex’ in Amsterdam with the fear of being found every single day. They had very little in the way of food and comforts and only one small window to look out of with little to no fresh air access. They relied on the kindness and courage of others for their survival.

They lived in constant fear of being found. For 2 years and 35 days.

765 days.

One of her small but also greatest comforts was her diary, gifted to her from her father Otto Frank on her 13th birthday on 12 June 1942. Weeks later the family would go into hiding, where they would remain until they were discovered by the Gestapo on 4 August 1944.

Anne’s diary was her canvas – a place to privately pour her thoughts, her dreams, her hopes, and her fears. Anne addressed many of her entries to an imaginary friend, ‘Dear Kitty’ or ‘Dearest Kitty’. – and perhaps her entry – “I want to write, but more than that, I want to bring out all kinds of things that lie buried deep in my heart” – best reveals her quest.

Her unwavering belief in the goodness of people – despite her faith being tested in an inapprehensible way – inspires hope for all humanity.

Anne spent 13% of her young life in hiding, and yet she had the wisdom and sensibility of an elder.

On 4 August 1944, three days after Anne’s final diary entry, the Gestapo arrested Anne together with her family and Secret Annex companions. All were sent to concentration camps. 

Sadly, Anne Frank died of Typus just weeks before the concentration camp was liberated by the British Army on 15 April 1945.

Otto Frank, Anne’s father was the only surviving family member. He initially hesitated on releasing his daughter’s diary to the world but eventually realized, in doing so, he would be honouring Anne’s dream of being a writer and travelling the world. The diary of Anne Frank was first published in the Netherlands on 25 June 1947.

Anne Frank was wise beyond her years. Her heart was bursting with affection and compassion. She yearned for a sense of belonging and relational connectedness.

It’s hard to imagine this courageous and wise young soul ever doubted her relevance. I only hope she knows the impact she has since had on the world.

“Writing in a diary is a really strange experience for someone like me. Not only because I’ve never written anything before, but also because it seems to me that later on neither I nor anyone else will be interested in the musings of a thirteen-year-old school girl. Oh well, it doesn’t matter. I feel like writing.” – Anne Frank

Today, more than ever, her words permeate my soul. Her words inspire calm. Her wisdom inspires compassion. Her innate sense of gratitude during unimaginable circumstances inspires appreciation for all that is within us and for all that surrounds us.

It is 2020 and the world faces great uncertainty. A global pandemic has impacted our lives, and every one of us is affected. We will each cope with this reality in our own way. For me, the past few weeks I have found great solace in the wisdom of a 15-year-old. I am sharing some of my favourite passages with you, in the hope that they provide you with some comfort, hope, and healing, as they have for me.

July 15th, 1944: “I feel the suffering of millions. And yet, when I look up at the sky, I somehow feel that everything will change for the better, that this cruelty too will end, that peace and tranquillity will return once more. In the meantime, I must hold on to my ideals. Perhaps the day will come when I’ll be able to realize them.” – Anne Frank

1) “The nicest part is being able to write down all my thoughts and feelings, otherwise, I’d absolutely suffocate.”

2) “It’s difficult in times like these: ideals, dreams and cherished hopes rise within us, only to be crushed by grim reality. It’s a wonder I haven’t abandoned all my ideals, they seem so absurd and impractical. Yet I cling to them because I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart.“

3) “I don’t think of all the misery but of the beauty that still remains.“

4) “What is done cannot be undone, but one can prevent it happening again.“

5) “I must uphold my ideals, for perhaps the time will come when I shall be able to carry them out.“

6) “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.”

7) “I’ve found that there is always some beauty left — in nature, sunshine, freedom, in yourself; these can all help you.”

8) “In the long run, the sharpest weapon of all is a kind and gentle spirit.”

9) “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.”

10) “We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same.”

11) “Memories mean more to me than dresses.”

12) “There’s only one rule you need to remember: laugh at everything and forget everybody else! It sounds egotistical, but it’s actually the only cure for those suffering from self-pity.”

13) “Dead people receive more flowers than the living ones because regret is stronger than gratitude.”

14) “How noble and good everyone could be if, every evening before falling asleep, they were to recall to their minds the events of the whole day and consider exactly what has been good and bad. Then without realizing it, you try to improve yourself at the start of each new day.”

15) “I don’t have much in the way of money or worldly possessions, I’m not beautiful, intelligent or clever, but I’m happy, and I intend to stay that way! I was born happy, I love people, I have a trusting nature, and I’d like everyone else to be happy too. ”

Anne Frank’s capacity for compassion, forgiveness, and gratitude is truly inspiring. Personally, I have placed my humble wish into the universe to someday visit the Anne Frank museum in Amsterdam. I feel so compelled to visit the place where she wrote these words and lived her final days. I was hoping this trip would happen this year, but regardless of when, I will do so with a grateful and compassionate heart.

For now, I will rely on her words. Words that have endured the test of time.

Perhaps now, more than ever, her words are the voice for all of humanity.

Stay well, stay safe, and stay awesome.

With gratitude,

Nicole Osmond

Customer Success Coach

As a Customer Success Coach and 3 X business owner, I am living my passion and helping companies succeed by cultivating a customer committed mindset.

A Writer with Heart – I weave words together to stimulate, elevate, and motivate. My blog is my canvas to share my ‘experience nuggets’ with you! Thanks for stopping by! With gratitude, always – Nicole