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Keep hope alive
'... these three remain: faith, hope and love ...' 1 Corinthians 13:13
In 1914, Sir Ernest Shackleton attempted the first land crossing of Antarctica. But his ship, the Endurance, got stuck in ice and was crushed. All 28 crew were stranded 1,200 miles from civilisation, drifting on ice with just three rickety lifeboats, a few tents and limited supplies.
Eventually they reached a small island and waited while Shackleton and a few men took one of the lifeboats 800 miles over stormy seas to a whaling station. He returned with a rescue ship, and every man survived the 18-month ordeal. How did he keep everybody's hopes alive?
First, optimism. Shackleton always believed that he and his crew would survive, and he spread that optimism to everyone around him.
Second, he nurtured their sense of significance. He kept everyone involved by seeking their opinions and giving them tasks that made them feel part of the solution.
Third, he encouraged them. He used humour and promoted a light-hearted atmosphere, recognising that under extreme pressure, the ability to lighten the mood neutralises fear and helps people to focus and re-energise.
One of the few items Shackleton rescued from the sinking ship was a banjo! Why? So the group could have music. Shackleton was a prime example of how one person can keep hope alive.
If you know someone who's in the middle of a difficult time, your words of kindness and love, your confidence in them, and your ability to lighten their load can keep hope alive.
written by Bob Gass
'... these three remain: faith, hope and love ...' 1 Corinthians 13:13
In 1914, Sir Ernest Shackleton attempted the first land crossing of Antarctica. But his ship, the Endurance, got stuck in ice and was crushed. All 28 crew were stranded 1,200 miles from civilisation, drifting on ice with just three rickety lifeboats, a few tents and limited supplies.
Eventually they reached a small island and waited while Shackleton and a few men took one of the lifeboats 800 miles over stormy seas to a whaling station. He returned with a rescue ship, and every man survived the 18-month ordeal. How did he keep everybody's hopes alive?
First, optimism. Shackleton always believed that he and his crew would survive, and he spread that optimism to everyone around him.
Second, he nurtured their sense of significance. He kept everyone involved by seeking their opinions and giving them tasks that made them feel part of the solution.
Third, he encouraged them. He used humour and promoted a light-hearted atmosphere, recognising that under extreme pressure, the ability to lighten the mood neutralises fear and helps people to focus and re-energise.
One of the few items Shackleton rescued from the sinking ship was a banjo! Why? So the group could have music. Shackleton was a prime example of how one person can keep hope alive.
If you know someone who's in the middle of a difficult time, your words of kindness and love, your confidence in them, and your ability to lighten their load can keep hope alive.
written by Bob Gass
