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Not actually Erin.
& is used with permission.
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First, I feel it's important that people believe in something. What that something might be is up to that individual to decide, as is how they practice that belief. The world can be a dreary, dreadful place at times, and during a disaster it can seem a lot darker. In a survival scenario it's practically necessary to believe in something that gives you hope and raises your spirits, because a positive mental attitude and a reason for living are the most important resources a survivor can have.
I've struggled with depression most of my life, and even though I've never lacked food, water, shelter, clothing -- all the things needed for survival -- there were a few times where I strongly considered suicide because I had lost hope. If it's possible to contemplate suicide while having everything necessary for life, then being in a survival situation where those things are lacking only increases that chance for despair. You may die without water after three days, but three hours without hope can be just as deadly.
Believe in something that uplifts you and rewards that faith.
Second, don't be afraid to put faith in people. I don't mean all people, of course; there are plenty of human beings out there who don't deserve your faith, and a smaller (yet viler) percentage of them who will actively take advantage of you. No, what I mean is that you need to have people in your life whom you trust, and in whom you can put your faith.
The more I learn about prepping, the more I am convinced that none of us can ever be self-sufficient by ourselves; there's simply too much for one person to do. Humans are social creatures by necessity; we lack the strength, speed, and natural weapons of most predators to survive alone. More than tool use, I believe that it's our ability to communicate and form tribes which makes humanity a successful species.
Find your tribe, cultivate them, and put your faith in them.
Thank you for listening. I sincerely hope you have something you can believe in and people in whom your faith is secure.
Erin,
ReplyDeleteTo poorly quote Sheppard Book, "Mal, why do you assume every time I talk about faith that I'm talking about God?"
Faith in yourself, faith in those around you, faith in your equipment, it is all a matter of developing trust all around. Have faith that those you report to are making the right decisions and faith that those who report to you will perform their duties well. That is how you make things work. You are absolutely correct that one person cannot long term do it all. For very short periods of time, we all have times when we must put our faith in ourselves and forge ahead but for the majority of time it is faith in others AND faithfulness to others that gets us through.
I myself can say, I have given you reason to lose faith in me as I have made commitments to you in the past that I have not followed through on. For that, I am sorry.
Not meant as a trite platitude but as a sum or your statement,
"Keep the faith!"