Volodymyr Zelenskyy: The Defiant Power of Spirit

The defiant power of the human spirit is man's capacity as a spiritual being to resist and brave whatever conditioning, circumstances or suffering he may face or endure." -Dr. Viktor Frankl

The Defiant Power of Spirit

Personally and professionally, the focus of my life is to live and help others live, what Dr. Viktor Frankl called "the defiant power of the human spirit."

This spirit is what Frankl turned to during his darkest hours during the Holocaust.

“This defiant power of spirit is rare, but it is real... and nowhere has this been more true than what we have seen in Ukraine this past week.”

It is what enabled him to persevere after his unborn child, wife, parents, and brother were murdered by Nazis.

It was the source of his strength when he was stripped of his profession, his possessions, his clothes, and his identity.

It was what inspired him to not only survive, but to rebuild his life, and spend his life inspiring others in the darkest hours and deepest suffering within their lives. This defiant power of spirit is rare, but it is real. It is also not simply the stuff of great men and women in history. It is the stuff of the present, men and women at this moment, and nowhere has this been more true than what we have seen in Ukraine this past week.

As I write this, the men, women, and children of Ukraine are being persecuted, terrorized, and executed as Putin and Russia spread their evil in an illegal and immoral war.

The Defiant Power of the Ukrainian Spirit

Yet, as I write this, against all odds, the people of Ukraine have fended off the mighty military of Russia.

Outnumbered, outgunned, and outmatched, Ukraine has somehow not only survived longer than anyone would have imagined, particularly Putin, but in many ways, they have already won.

“President Zelenskyy is no longer playing the part of the president, he is living the part, exemplifying it, a real leader, not simply of Ukraine, but of the free world.”

Make no mistake about it, they are in harm's way, and at risk of being exterminated by this madman who seeks only vengeance, submission, and blood.

Yes, they need our support. They need resources. They need arms. As President Zelenskyy said it best, “The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride.” And that says it all.

But also make no mistake about it, no matter what happens, President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people have already won.

Why?

Because a few short years ago, President Zelenskyy was merely an unknown actor.

Yes, President Zelenskyy was an actor playing a sit-com role of a high school principal who became the president of Ukraine!

Mark Twain was right, "truth is stranger than fiction.”  Until last week this was the stuff of fiction - this was a seemingly ordinary and unremarkable country, ordinary and unremarkable men and women, and an ordinary and remarkable leader. Yet, here we are, one week later, witnessing anything but ordinary courage, and watching something truly remarkable.

One week later- this man, and these people, have transformed fiction into reality. President Zelenskyy is no longer playing the part of the president, he is living the part, exemplifying it as a real leader, not simply of Ukraine, but of the free world. This is truly the defiant power of the human spirit.

Six Million Defiant Spirits

However, it is also the defiant power of six million spirits - dead Jewish spirits to be exact. Why six-million Jews? Because Volodymyr Zelenskyy is not only the President of Ukraine, but also the grandchild of Holocaust survivors.

President Zelenskyy is Jewish. His grandfather was a Holocaust survivor who witnessed his entire family exterminated by Hitler.

Volodymyr, however, is not only a grandchild of a survivor but the sole surviving grandchild of the entire family. This man, and his defiant spirit, is simply the embodiment of the hopes, dreams, and prayers of his murdered family - six million murdered family members.

Yes, Hitler exterminated them, but not their defiant spirit. It is alive and well in their grandson, the Ukrainian people, and their worthy and noble cause. This is a Jew, man, president, and leader who is not only saying, “Never Again,” but standing up and making it a reality.

Make no mistake about it, he is doing it, and they are doing it, in no small measure due to the defiant power of the human spirit. 

To Our Brothers & Sisters…

To our brothers and sisters in Ukraine - we see you, your defiant power of spirit, and we are inspired by you.

“Yes, we owe it to you President Zelenskyy to give you the ammunition you requested. However, make no mistake about it, you are the one who has given us real ammunition - the defiant power of the human spirit.”

To our bold, brave, and fearless leader, President Zelenskyy (and yes, you are our leader wherever it is we call home), we are grateful to you. The world sees you. Six million of your ancestors see you. Your murdered family sees you. Future generations see you. And God sees you. 

Yes, we owe it to you to give you the ammunition and so much more than what you requested. However, make no mistake about it, you are the one who has given us real ammunition.

You have awoken within us a reminder of the importance of nobility, courage, and character. 

You have rekindled the flame of memory, the memory that we owe it to those who came before us to carry on their memory, redeem their tragedies and make our lives matter for their sake.

You have ignited hope, the hope that one man can and does make a difference when he lives the defiant power of his spirit.  

So keep fighting. Keep defying. Keep inspiring. You have the stuff of true survivors, the secret of authentic leaders, and the rare, but real ammunition of men and women throughout history who have changed history for the better, inspired lives, and made this unbearable world, bearable and inspirational. 

You have, and you exemplify, the defiant power of the human spirit.