When The Simplest Solution is the Only Solution

Hubby and I saw the movie The Darkest Hour. It was nice to see all but a few seats hadn't been sold for our viewing. Surprising, since the movie released back in November. I was also happy to see the range of ages in the audience, from children to silver haired patrons.

This is not a review of the movie. I understand there are some historical accuracies. In my research for this post, I found discrepancies between sites for the actual numbers. For this discussion, I am using numbers cited in the movie with the caveat these only represent the actual number.

The time is May, 1940.

Newly elected prime minister, Winston Churchill's back was against the wall, as was the British army trapped on French shores with no transportation to return safely home. He couldn't rally help to save the men or obtain a supply of weapons to fight the war. The fleet had been destroyed.

He tried everything he could think of.

The king and other influential people begged him to negotiate with Germany. Churchill adamantly opposed. (Eventually, King George agreed with Churchill)

600,000 men had about two days before Germans would reach their position.

A temporary idea came to light. Churchill ordered British soldiers stationed in Calais to distract the Germans away from Dunkirk, France.

Both Calais and Dunkirk are sea towns. Calais is south of Dunkirk. Both are across the English Channel from the UK. 4,000 men were trapped in Calais. 600,000 men trapped in Dunkirk. Germans swarmed both cities, leaving British soldiers backs against the channel.

Even with the Calais distraction, Churchill had no means to transport soldiers trapped in Dunkirk.

...until a very simple solution presented itself.

He summoned the general to ask British citizens owning boats with a capacity to transport any number of soldiers to cross the channel and bring their boys home. The mission was given the name Dynamo.

The result: thousands of small crafts crossed the English channel and rescued not only stranded British soldiers, but also stranded French soldiers.

Sometimes a problem seems so very overwhelming. We try every solution we can think of, poo pooing simple solutions as futile. Or we forget to consider those around us who could lend a hand.

But when that bizarre solution works, we sit back amazed. Happy. Surprised. Perhaps a bit stunned.

So, this is a new year.

Are you ready to fight the impossible situations that may come your way?

Are you ready to press forward, even if it means using the simple solution or humbling yourself to ask for help?

Here is a quote from Winston Churchill that may help you:

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts." Winston Churchill

May your 2018 prove to be one that counts.

This post has been brought to you by the one word: SimplestSolutionsThatCount

Suzanne Woods Fisher - Overcoming the Fear of Failure

We've all had something fail. Maybe a school assignment, baking a cake, changing a car tire. Well that was my shortlist confession. There really is a mile long list that you don't want to hear. Talk about a quick drive to the blues. Even one negative comment in a barrel full of praises can take us down. Sigh. Why oh why do we remember the one negative one and forget the positives. You are not alone. We all do this. But there is a way of escape. Today, Suzanne Woods Fisher is going to share her story. The Fear of Failure “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you. Do not fear; I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13, niv). Years ago, before I received my first book contract, an editor returned a manuscript to me with the comment that the writing wasn’t up to her publishing house’s “caliber.” Ouch! That was a tough remark to swal...

A Memory Device For You

Photo Courtesy Recently I added a memory game to my week's activities. It all started when I listened to one of those fabulous sermons in church and actually took notes. Later in the week, I recalled liking the sermon and searched for the notes, but lamented when I couldn't find the piece of paper. I quizzed myself: What was the general topic? I racked my brain…good grief this was Thursday and a thousand other things had happened when I asked the question. After a cup of tea, visualizing where I sat in the sanctuary, and using every other means possible to remember the general topic I finally answered the question. The process to recall the rest of the good things said was an epic fail. Although I have since started using a notebook I have created a memory game. On Monday, at any point during the day, I try to say the following without the use of my notes: General topic of the sermon Main book of the Bible used Application p...

Laughter and Singing at the Homeless Shelter

It was a night to remember. A night to tell friends about. So I am... Fifty men, women, and teens rode in busses on icy expressways into the inner city. They poured out of the bus at a homeless shelter unsure where to go, what to do, or what to say. One led the pack through the main doors, pass security checkpoints, and on through winding hallways to a large room. At night, this room is filled, wall to wall, with cots, blankets, and at this time of year, cold homeless men, women, and children. On this evening before the night, hundreds of chairs formed straight rows and faced a platform. The fifty set up sound and instrument equipment. Singers cozied in the limited platform space. Instrumentalists tuned their instruments. A few residents poked their heads in the door. Intrigued, they came in and watched the first measures of several songs start, stop, start again. Microphone levels adjusted. The singers laughed. Chattered. The group stepped off to the side and...

The Storyteller | Mary Vee

Search This Blog