Real Heroes Say Thank You

Somali pirates have vowed to attack other American ships and have tried to take over the Liberty Sun, only to be rebuffed by their crew. Secretary Gates believes that the US does not need to institute any new efforts to thwart future attacks. What do you think?

The crew of the Maersk Alabama arrived home to cheers today with Captain Phillips to follow soon. Let's look again at some of his heroic behavior that can inspire you.

Align yourself with a higher purpose. For Capt. Phillips, it was more important to protect his crew and their humanitarian cargo than himself. His altruistic perspective informed and directed his actions. You can build a meaningful life for yourself and your family as you form a strong connection to community, country, the world and spiritual power.

Say thank you. Capt. Phillips' first public statement upon reaching the USS Bainbridge was to thank his rescuers for giving him back his freedom. He tried to direct the spotlight away from him and towards them, labeling them the "real heroes" rather than himself. When you have been helped and nurtured by others in your quests, expressing your gratitude to them makes both you and they feel good. These two little words create a win-win situation for everyone.

Click on the title above to take you to our article, 5 Steps to Gratitude Despite a Tough Economy. It will help you learn how to express your gratitude.

Teamwork and Resiliency Pay Off

We are learning more details about how Captain Phillips was rescued from the pirates who were holding him hostage and threatening to kill him. Here are some of the strategies they used to save him. Can you, Sandwiched Boomer or not, use them in your own life as well?

Think outside the box. Capt. Phillips seemed to be going along with the pirates' commands but he stayed alert and constantly thought about what he could do, first, to save his crew and cargo and then himself. He paid attention to his captors' behavior and tried to escape, surprising them by jumping out into the ocean. When that attempt failed, he continued to be attentive to rescue efforts so that he could play his part. You too can be creative when you are faced with a seemingly impossible situation. Often you can improvise when a solution doesn't readily appear. Use your strength and develop resiliency. Your plan may not work at first but keep working on new plans to implement.

Recognize and use all your resources. The rescue of Capt. Phillips required the coordinated efforts of the U.S. Navy command, their ships and personnel, the Seals, merchant ships, the FBI, even President Obama. While you may not have these resources at your fingertips, you do have friends, extended family and community services to help you through the challenges you face. Learn to cooperate with others and use teamwork as you strategize and act to accomplish your goals.

When you click on the title above you can read an article on our website giving you some tips about how to use your personal resources to accomplish your goals, 8 Strategies to Turn Your New Year's Resolutions into Reality.