Page 7
The Staff & Sword Ministry/Preparation
March 12, 2008
(Survivors) take bold action while exercising great caution. A sense of humor "is not a luxury," (Author) Leach writes, "it is a vital organ for survival." (Shipwreck/castaway survivor Kiley) began praying to keep herself focused. Survival psychologists have long observed that successful survivors pray. even when they don't believe in a god. ( A survivor) doesn't blame others, nor turn to them. He takes responsibility for himself. (Survivor Yossi Ghinsberg who was stranded in the Bolivian jungle for three weeks) began telling himself, "Don't cry. Don't break now. Be a man of'action... When I found myself feeling hopeless, I whispered my mantra, `Man of action, man of action.' I don't know where I had gotten the phrase. ..1 repeated it over and over: A man of action does whatever he must, isn't afraid, and doesn't worry." Survivors find wealth and happiness in the smallest things. They never say, "Why me?" or, "I can't take it anymore." Survival is the celebration of choosing life over death. (Survivors) know that safety is an illusion and being obsessed with safety is a sickness. The first rule of survivaI (is) to believe that anything is possible. [I would add: "with God "]
Take advantage of all training [re. Preparation, survival, etc.] that is available. Stay calm (use humor, use fear to focus). In the initial crisis, survivors are making use of fear, not being ruled by it. ..They understand at a deep level about being cool and are ever on guard against the mutiny of too much emotion. They keep their sense of humor therefore keep calm. Think/analyze/plan (get organized; set up small, manageable tasks). Survivors quickly organize, set up routines, and institute discipline. . They push away thoughts that their situation is hopeless, . .(They act) with the expectation of success.