Chapter 5: Joshua Chamberlain

Chapter 5: Joshua Chamberlain
The Third Decision: I Am a Person of Action

1. In what ways is Joshua Chamberlain’s tobacco pouch symbolic? What does the pouch look like? Why is the physical description repeated throughout the book?
The symbol of the crossed swords stands for a fighting man. It is a tangible reminder of being a person of action, always moving, inspiring others. When the pouch was new, "it was sewn from a stout cloth, but the rough treatment it had received had worn the pouch to a moleskin softness" (pg 63). This is a great parallel to making these decision a part of your daily routine. In the beginning you will have a harder time, the road may seem more rough. But eventually, once the decisions become second nature, you become more flexible, softer and more forgiving. It is also interested that he keeps the other notes within this pouch. This could imply that without action, the other decisions won't take place as readily?

2. The book opens with a quotation by Joshua Chamberlain, an obscure figure in American history. How does this quote set the stage for the book?
"In great deed, something abides. On great fields, something stays. Forms change and pass, bodies disappear but spirits linger to consecrate ground for the vision place of the soul. And reverent men and women from afar and generations that know us not and that we know not of, shall come here to ponder and to dream and the power of the vision shall pass into their souls." --Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, 1828-1914

This supports the fact that we can learn from history. We can learn from the triumphs and mistakes of those who have paved the path before us in whatever direction we choose to go

3. Why do you think Andrews chose to begin with a quote by Chamberlain instead of one by the other historical characters in the book?
Chamberlain was probably the one person who faced the most unbelievable outcome for what he was facing. They were out of ammunition and were seriously outnumbered, but yet they still pressed forward and came out on top. Even though they knew the outcome could have been death, they also realized that if they didn't try, then death would come regardless.

Between a rock & a hard place, the saying goes. What is your first response when you find yourself there? Are you a 'white flag waver'?
I tend to want to shut down, crawl into a hole and wait a few hours, or days to come to the realization that the situation won't change until I change it or myself. In Chamberlain's case, he couldn't wait or the trouble he was facing would come and find him and end it all.

Do you often move out of the way for the person on the run or get caught in the wake? Are you ever that person on the run?
I'm fairly laid back in my running. I don't think that I want to step on anyone's toes, so I would tend not to be on the run, without considering those around me. I would typically jump on the bandwagon of those who I know are doing a good job and are positive and building me up. But when someone pushes their expectations on me and doesn't allow room for my growth, then I tend to feel defeated and will clam up.

Imagine yourself in Chamberlain's shoes - an educated man, a teacher, with no military experience to fall back on. What caused him to keep going, despite the odds?
He new that to just stop going would end in disaster, so he decided the best he could do would be better than not doing anything at all.

Could it be that while you're waiting for the future to happen, God is waiting for you to step out in faith?
Quite possibly. This is one of those issues that I try to seek what God wants from me and when I don't get a clear answer, then I sometimes sit and wait. But when I decide to move, God shows me through affirming the path I am taking by allowing it to happen, or he redirects me through circumstances.

What significant fears have you already overcome in your life?
Fears of what others think. I would like to overcome the fear of failure and the fear of not being able to please others.

Parallel to the story of the Good Samaritan: Martin Luther King Jr. said, "The first question the priest and the Levite asked was: 'If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?' But...the good Samaritan reversed the question: 'If I do not sto to help this man, what will happen to him?'" All three men saw the man in need and they were all aware of his need. It was the Samaritan who saw the wounded man and had sincere compassion for him.

As with AdvoCare, we can see the needs of those around us as it relates to general health, energy, weight, and financial issues. And we have something that can help them. Do I have compassion for others enough to offer a word of advice. I don't need to wait for someone else, or call 911, or phone a pastor to get involved. I can just GET INVOLVED (be a person of action).

The Samaritan moved with compassion toward action. He got in the ditch with the man. He got close and bandaged the man's wounds. He probably came out of the ditch looking dirty and bloody, too.

Margaret Thatcher once said, "No one would have remembered the Good Samaritan if he'd only had good intentions. He had money (or a means of helping) as well." Many times it may take money to help your neighbor (or product, or business system). The Good Samaritan had the ability to help and so do you.

Awareness, Access, Ability.

Everybody is given a train with 24 cars on it. It's up to you to fill it with coal, gold, or nothing.

When we get a B+ and we should have received an A+, what was holding us back? What potential do we have that due to our lack of action we are not hitting the bullseye?

What massive action can you take this week towards massive action? This will rub off into other areas of my life.