Endurance was an awesome textbook for a class about motivational psychology, as I found myself enthralled by the plight of these brave explorers and captivated throughout the reading of their tumultuous journey. A couple of things that especially struck me about this improbable journey of survival was the men's perseverance and sense of determination to escape their desperate set of circumstances, as well as reverence for their fearless leader, Shackleton. These elements of the story struck a chord with me because I am not so sure that I could've stayed in the same jovial sprits (predicament accounted for) as the crew of the Endurance, especially with the immense pressure of my life being on the line if we were to falter in any type of way during this failed expedition turned trial for survival. I am also unsure if I could have handled a McNeish refusing to continue pushing forward as we were moving camps, being that we were all in this situation together and quitting on the boys in their time of need is something that would not have sat well with me. The reverence the crew had for Shackleton was also of note, as they never questioned one of his decisions despite his apparent fault for landing them in such a predicament.
To surmise, the circumstances these men overcame during this expedition has allowed me to draw many parallels to put the ease of my life in perspective. For example, having to ride my bike six miles to work for a couple weeks while I was getting work done to my car doesn't seem to be such a mission anymore, especially since I am traveling to a safe, secure shelter with food not consisting of pemmican and seal blubber. Another aspect of the book that amazed me was Worsley's navigational skills, as I would place my faith in his directions at sea over any GPS system that could be conceived. In all, Endurance was a testament to the unbreakable human spirit and the exemplification of our innate ability to survive any hardship that could be thrown our way.
P.S. Life Below Zero is a show I found on Netflix that sheds a possible glimpse of the crew's plight of being stranded in arctic temperatures. However, I don't think what the people on this show go through can be compared in any way to the circumstances of the men aboard the Endurance.
I completely agree with everything you said! I was reading this book and from the beginning to the end all I could say is, "WTF!" It was crazy to me how there were nothing but hurdles that they faced them and each time they defeated them without losing a soul. It was truly inspiring. There have been times when people around us will say things like, "It could be worse." Usually that would affect me, but now not so much. This book made me thankful for the light trials that I have faced thus far in my life and also grateful that I may never have to go through such a trial as that. I don't think I would have pressed on.
Yes, in order to finish the course, we had to complete the final and the midterm, which wouldn't be possible if we didn't read the book. As I read, I agree with your points. Endurance and resilience are traits and characteristics that are persistently needed in life. Many times, life gets the better of us, but when we strive to overcome them, in each walk of life, in every path, we are able to overcome anything and everything in life.
"The pleasure principle does not abandon the intention of ultimately obtaining pleasure, but it nevertheless demands and carries into effect the postponement of satisfaction, the abandonment of a number of possibilities of gaining satisfaction and the temporary toleration of unpleasure as a step on the long indirect road to pleasure" Sigmund Freud
"The consequences of an act affect the probability of it's occurring again" BF Skinner
I completely agree with everything you said! I was reading this book and from the beginning to the end all I could say is, "WTF!" It was crazy to me how there were nothing but hurdles that they faced them and each time they defeated them without losing a soul. It was truly inspiring. There have been times when people around us will say things like, "It could be worse." Usually that would affect me, but now not so much. This book made me thankful for the light trials that I have faced thus far in my life and also grateful that I may never have to go through such a trial as that. I don't think I would have pressed on.
ReplyDeleteYes, in order to finish the course, we had to complete the final and the midterm, which wouldn't be possible if we didn't read the book. As I read, I agree with your points. Endurance and resilience are traits and characteristics that are persistently needed in life. Many times, life gets the better of us, but when we strive to overcome them, in each walk of life, in every path, we are able to overcome anything and everything in life.
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