In the shadow of Memorial Day here in the United States, I recently finished the amazing story of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis in WWII. The book is In Harm’s Way by Doug Stanton.
This book chronicles the incredible peril of the survivors of this proud ship of the US Navy’s Pacific Fleet . To give a short summary(very short):”the early morning of July 30, 1945,..the USS Indianapolis, was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine, immediately killing nearly 300 men, and sending as many as 900 others into the black, churning embrace of the vast Philippine Sea, some 350 miles from nearest landfall. Four days later when the navy finally learned of the sinking, only 321 of these sailors were still among the living”.
The best-selling author, Chris Brady, talks about being “messed-up” watching the movie, Saving Private Ryan. Not only the intensity of the cinematography but our mind and heart’s feelings of what it must have been on the Omaha beach-head. This movie is concluded with the great Captain telling the Private that he had better make his life count. Now I was “messed-up” in this same way following the completion of the this book. It is the combination of the 1,196 brave sailors that set out to sail against an aggressive enemy, the USS Indianapolis,alone, on a secret mission to carry the components of the “Little Boy” atomic bomb, the twin torpedo strikes that sunk the majestic ship in 11 minutes, and the 900 men in and 321 men out of the water ratio of 4 1/2 days later due to exposure, fuel-oil and saltwater ingestion, and hundreds of shark attacks. But maybe the most striking characteristic was the common thread of the survivors mind-set – “I am going to live”.
Wow! Volumes of books and blogs could and probably are written on this subject of the desire to live. It can be put in so many different textual forms. I thought I had a fair idea of the mind-set required. But after the survivors were quoted this passage “I am going to live”, I found more meaning. How many of us just get frustrated with our commute to work, or “left-lane” drivers, or our coffee is cold, or same dinner again, or even, “it’s raining”? Our attitude is critical. What are we telling ourselves? Bill Lewis, co-founder of the company, Life, states, “Our communication struggles are not primarily a struggle of technique but a struggle of the heart. Our war of words is not with other people ; it is a battle within.” How can we survive if we are destroying our lives from within?
At the same time of finishing this book, I completed the 3rd week of the Mental Fitness Challenge (MFC). The week was spent on topic of Attitude. God has such a perfect way of putting an exclamation point on the week. Listening several times to Claude Hamilton‘s CD, Attitude, and reading through Orrin Woodward‘s chapter on attitude in Resolved, there is no doubt one can take specific intent to “live’ again. As these survivors of the USS Indianapolis choose their attitude despite the situation, we can too! I look forward to your choice of “I am going to live”! Live the life God expects of you. Take the Challenge to help you formulate a game plan and right attitude to achieve your life goals. I would expect a WIN!!
God Bless, Aron.
Steel the mind and Tender the heart.
Aron Radosa Leadership Blog 
It’s Info like that, persuades people to keep returning to a excellent resource like this site.
Wow, I can see you are now playing on another level!! Thank you for the insight & inspiration.
Aron,
Your passion for history & the men & women that gave their life for our freedom inspires me.
Thanks buddy,
Mike
What a great post Aron. You do such a great job on keeping things in perspective. Whenever we draw on things from the past it makes thing not all that bad in reality but puts an exclamation point on how important it is that we do what we do. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Aron for the challenge to check my attitude. My attitude, which I choose, determines my results not my circumstances. I resolve to maintain a positive mental attitude. The Mental Fitness Challenge is definitely making a difference in my life.
Thank you Aron for challenging me to check my attitude. It is my attitude that determines my results not my circumstances. The Mental Fitness Challenge is makin a difference In my life.
Aron, what great insight on history. I love to see the hunger this group of people has to live a life on porpose.
great writing, it’s always appreciated when life is put into perspective. realizing how good life is and that our attitude is always a choice.
Wow that definitely puts things into perspective. It is so easy to get caught up in the “little” things of life and to forget what Really is important and what we are here for. Thanks Aron!
Reblogged this on Coulterteam1961's Blog and commented:
Aron Radosa has such a great insight to our past & how it should & does effect our present & future. I encourage you to read this post & follow this gentleman. He is able to lead you to greatness if you have the courage to pursue it!
God Bless,
Mike Coulter
Hey Aron, great article! So many times we forget the sacrifices of the previous generations. Freedom is never free. Lets keep fighting for freedom!
Awesome post! Thanks for the perspective and for such wonderful guidance and leadership!
I’m about to start ‘Attitude is Everything’ so this post is perfectly timed! I’ve come to the conclusion that many days I do not have that “I want to live” mindset. Many days we just want to get by and find a better day where we’re in a better mood and things just go better. Although the good days remind us that life’s worth living and the bad days motivate us to change it’s these average, hum-drum days that are the killer of success. The days we’re not saying “I want to live”.
Absolutely, John! Some days I can fall into the trap of believing that mediocrity is enough and comfort is key. Thank goodness for LIFE cd’s to get me back on track and fired up for truly living!!
This is such a good reminder on our attitude and how much of a difference maker it can be. I know since I’ve been involved in the business of LIFE and taking the MFC I pay more attention to my attitude and it is a game changer. Thank you for bringing this up and sharing your insights. God Bless.
I used to think that I had a strong will and a realistic attitude. Now, after so much that I have learned from my association with TEAM and my education with LIFE, I realize that my attitude was pessimistic and holding me back from what I could have and achieve. I have learned that I attract and get what I picture, whether positive or negative. So, now my challenge is to have the courage and discipline to always picture, hope for, and speak of the best outcome, knowing that is what I will get!
Fantastic article Aron. I love learning from the brave men and women throughout history.
Aron…That was a grate story of a very bad event that cost many sailors there life and affected several thousand family across the USA. The USS Indianapolis sank in 12minutes. It was so fast that it wasn’t even reported as a sinking because it couldn’t be confirmed! How many times will people come into our lives in he coerce of our day to disappear back out of it again not affected. “What if” I used the skills I learned in my Mental Fitness Challenge to divert all the life wrecks that people are headed for. I am so glad that we learn leadership principles vs techniques like a zigzag anti-submarine pattern! What are you doing in the next 12 minutes?
Mark,
Amen! What incredible thought of the “next 12 minutes”! All the things that can be done in this time, but yet how quickly the time goes by that changes lives. Thanks for your comments.
Aron
Aron,
For the last month I have been practicing radiating positive. I was listing to Lana Hamilton on a LIFE cd when people ask how you are doing I say “grate”. Why should I say anything less? The best decisions are made from a position of strength. Smiles & positive are contagious!
In the next 12 minutes, I’m commenting on this blog! 🙂
Great post Aron! What a powerful book that must have been. I might have to get my hands on that one! Thanks for your leadership!
Thank you so much Kristen. Your example in life and in LIFE proves the point of “I want to live”. You are a great example to watch and follow. Keep on grinding! God bless.
Aron,
Choosing to live in honor of those who made the ultimate sacrifice is awesome. Even better to live intensionally for excellence and make everyday a masterpiece by consulting the Master every morning. Thanks for sharing Aron.
Blessings
Patty!
That is awesome. You are an amazing crusader of truth. I so look forward to God’s shaping you and your progress with the MFC. Time for the world to know who Patty O’Neal is. BBNQ!
Aron, I always appreciate your historical examples that you use to inspire us. I find it funny that we spend lots of money watching super heroes at the movies, when there are real super heroes all around us. 68 years ago some super heroes said, “I am going to live.” Many did not but their legacy provides for us. We live in a time that beaches need to be stormed. You are teaching and growing another band of super heroes. Thanks.
you bet buddy. It is amazing how much history is screaming at us to just look and learn. I look forward to your historical background and teaching the world of the Band of Brothers and LIFE. BBNQ!
Aron, in regards to the quote, “I am going to LIVE,” I am reminded and not sure that I fully comprehend what it means that we are to live the life expects us to live. What an awesome concept that we (mankind) were created as the Crown of His creation! My goal, as I have been inspired by the Life business and the Mental Fitness Challenge, is to ponder what that means for me. In the words of Gandalf, “…all you have to do is to decide what to do with the time that has been given to us…” It is my time to decide what He would have me do and be!!
Aron: great post! “Attitude is Everything” and the survivors certainly displayed that. Thank you for relating this story and thank you for your willingness to improve this area in your life. From the outside, it is my view that you are already doing a darn good job with it!!
BBNQ!!
Holger 🙂
Aron, awesome post! I love the Babe Ruth poster. Thomas Jefferson said
“Nothing can stop the person with the right mental attitude from achieving their goal:Nothing on earth can help the person with the wrong mental attitude” The Mental Fitness Challenge is what this world needs!! Thank you for your efforts and time!
BBNQ!