Is your glass half full or half empty?

After getting stung by the travel bug, I decided it was time to cross the pond (i.e. the Atlantic). I had the opportunity to check out 14 countries over 8 weeks and had the time of my life…

With this in mind I would like to share with you an experience I changed my life, or at least my perspective.

In Germany, I visited one of the last operating Nazi concentration camps known as Mauthausen-Gusen Concentration Camp. This specific concentration camp was not only responsible for the mass murder of approximately 300,000 people but was also notorious for torture and slave labor.

At Mauthausen I learned about “the stairs of death” where prisoners were forced to carry heavy rocks of granite up 186 uneven stairs from the quarry below. It was documented that the heaviest rocks were 110lbs or approximately 50kg and the prisoners were forced to carry these above their heads. This would be quite the task for a healthy and nourished individual. Keep in mind that the average male weighed approximately 88lbs or 40kg and were fed 4 spoonfuls of “soup” every 3 days. The tour guide mentioned that a domino effect would occur sending hundreds to their death.

Take a look at some photos…

I wanted to share this experience for one reason. Whenever you are having a bad day just remember there is always someone out there that has it just a little bit worse than you do. When thinking about optimism and pessimism or a glass that is half full or half empty, be happy you have a glass… Do whatever you have to do to make that glass half full.