Mental stamina in Endurance by Alfred Lansing Shackleton's Incredible VoyageIn Endurance Shackleton's Incredible Voyage, Alfred Lansing tells the story of one of the greatest successes of the twentieth century. Ironically, Lansing's detailed account of the 1915 Trans-Antarctic Expedition highlights the harsh reality that Sir Ernest Shackleton's expedition failed to achieve its goal. In fact, the expedition never even set foot on the continent it intended to cross. The exceptional success of this motley crew of adventurers lay in their ability to withstand the harsh Antarctic climate. Although their ship was crushed by an ice cap, they spent the dark Antarctic winter desperately alone, they suffered a stormy voyage in an open boat, and they stumbled blindly onto an island unexplored, Shackleton and his men persisted in their quest for survival. Truly, Shackleton set an exceptional example of never giving up. Although it might seem at first glance that Shackleton's greatest perseverance lay in his endurance to endure the arduous marches and navigations it took to bring his men back to safety, this physical strength was only a small part . part of true endurance. No, it wasn't even in the face of the absence of any substitute for toilet paper that Shackleton demonstrated his endurance, but it was predominant in his underlying attitude. Endurance is more than just taking the next grueling step; it means maintaining the conviction that all efforts3/4, whether physical or mental3/4, can improve the future. This relentlessly positive attitude is the very foundation of endurance, because when there is a will, a sense of self-worth, or a glimmer of hope, the body and mind find a way. Moreover, a positive attitude will unite... middle of paper ...... A life filled with love for humans who are equal simply because they are human makes for a fulfilling life despite the difficulty of it. By believing that we can overcome the next obstacle, humans can live together in a supportive community rather than a destructive group. There is no need to say that one person, one race, one nation is better than another, because power mongers and hedonists rarely succeed in life. By believing that the goal is achievable, humans can always take the next step toward a better world. It's weird how the story of a crew in such a unique situation can be a model for success in life in general. For daunting goals and small ones alike, endurance of the mind is key. Works Cited: Lansing, Alfred. Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Journey. Carroll and Graf: New York, 1986.