If you haven’t read yet about the mountain climber who had to cut his own arm off to escape from a boulder that was pinning him, read it now. This story is incredible, and a testimony to the fact that sacrifices are made with every decision we make, some more costly than others.
This fellow was audacious enough to do the unthinkable to live. Every time we hear of stories like this, we silently wonder to ourselves, “Could I do that?” Many people, I fear, would say no–which is an even more frightening prospect because they couldn’t see, like Aron Ralston did, that the pain and loss of limb is minor compared to the long-term consequences of lying there and dying.
Ralston saw his situation, saw the long term consequences, made his decision, then acted. It’s very rare to find such resolve in today’s society, and though it’s little consolation for the loss of his arm, I commend him.