A robust community made an immense impact. In Vietnam, as POWs, we endured suffering, but we suffered together. We also found solace and healing together.

Colonel Lee Ellis (@LeeEllis) has lived a life that is a testament to overcoming adversity and being dedicated to service. A Vietnam POW of the Hanoi Hilton, Lee shares his powerful insights and worldview in this interview.

  

"If you have great love and you have responsibility growing up, you're going to be a healthier person." - Lee Ellis

 

Key Takeaways:

• 5x5 Code of POW's: The 5x5 matrix tapping code, initially employed by prisoners of war (POWs) during World War II to covertly communicate through walls, involved a grid with five rows and five columns, excluding the letter K. This ingenious code allowed POWs to tap out messages by indicating specific rows and columns, enabling secret communication within confinement. The code's success in fostering covert communication led to its continued use in subsequent conflicts, including the Vietnam War, where POWs in places like the infamous Hanoi Hilton utilized this method to share crucial information and support one another in the face of adversity. This code is a testament to POWs' resilience and resourcefulness across different periods of history.

 

• Secure and Insecure: We're all sliding back and forth between feeling secure and insecure. We all must move toward being more secure and believing in ourselves; in this belief, we want to be confident and humble. When we are confident and humble, then we can be realistic. This allows us to take ownership of mistakes and clean up misunderstandings, which is essential in leadership. 

 

• Independent and Interdependent. Maintaining personal autonomy is vital in relationships—an aspect highlighted by the necessity to be independent. Simultaneously, recognizing the significance of interdependence is equally essential, especially within meaningful relationships. Striking a balance between these qualities becomes a cornerstone for personal growth and successful, mutually supportive connections.

 

• Kokoro: SEALFIT's 50-hour crucible, inspired by Navy SEAL Hell Week, draws from Samurai tradition, emphasizing the integration of head, heart, and hands in action and service. Over a decade, participants have experienced transformative outcomes, breaking free from limited thinking, enhancing decision-making, and fostering calm and clarity. The training instills a commitment to service, with individuals channeling their newfound insights for the benefit of others.

Sponsors and Promotions:

KUDO Popcorn:

 You will be amazed how KUDO has made a fun favorite snack tastier and healthier.

For a limited time, get an exclusive 25% discount when they use the code DIVINE.

Kudosnacks.com/discount/DIVINE and get 25% off your order.

 

Momentus:

Designed by the world's best experts, used by the world's best teams and athletes, and made for all of us.

 https://www.livemomentous.com, and use code DIVINE for 20% off your first order. 

 

Happy Holidays!

 

Links for Lee Ellis:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.