Imagine if you could go back to the past. What would it be like if you knew back then what you know now? What would you do differently? What decisions would you change? Would you take a different approach? Would you take another path? Would you change anything at all? Well, I discovered a way to do just that. If you find that interesting, buckle up and hold on. I found a time machine and I know how to hot wire it. Check this out!!!
If you take the time to think about it, when was the last time you completed anything without tools? In our modern world we have tools for everything. From our very humble beginnings, humans have relied on tools to get us through the day. If you’re reading this on a computer screen, phone or tablet, you’re using a tool right now. Perhaps you wear eye glasses or contacts. Are you sitting in a chair? Do you have a roof over your head? Did you brush your teeth today? Surely you wear clothes…
The truth is that we are dependent on tools. By definition, a tool is anything used as a means to accomplish a task or purpose. Without tools, we’re pretty vulnerable actually. It’s not difficult to understand why we live in a consumer based society. We NEED these devices to get us through the day. At least, that’s the perception we have. However, the reality is that we choose our conveniences. We reason these choices because that’s what we see other members of the tribe doing. Monkey see, monkey do…
It’s in our nature to want to be accepted. Throughout our life, we have all experienced the negative feelings and emotions associated with rejection. In an effort to avoid pain, we develop coping mechanisms which eventually turn into crutches. We lean on our cell phones, caffeine and Amazon. We cover ourselves in clothing labels, skin products and even present ourselves in ways that foster acceptance. Before we know it, a vicious cycle emerges. Money goes in one hand and out the other. We are buying our place in society.
At the school, people are always asking me what tools for survival to buy. Sometimes they don’t ask, they just go right ahead and purchase the tools that I use. I found this flattering at first, but over time it started to bother me. Survival isn’t about mega bucks- it’s about mega ingenuity. I have some really sweet gear, but in the “survival pyramid,” the gear is actually the least important factor. Your will comes first. Your experience and skills come second. Knowledge comes third and gear brings up the rear. I think it’s time to renounce the monkey, and use the noggin’…
So what does this have to do with going back in time? Interacting with students has really made me think about what’s truly important. I often see myself in their position. In the beginning, I thought that I needed the gear to do the job. But nothing could be further from the truth. In an effort to prove my point, I’m going to go back in time and start over. I’m going to put aside my SURVIVE GSO 5.1, my Gransfors Bruks and all the other name brand gadgets I’ve acquired over the years. I’m going to walk in the shoes of my students and take a journey with them. I’m going to prove, once and for all, you can, in fact, do a lot with a little…
Over the course of this journey, we will secure all of the “core four” survival priorities. We will assemble a kit from the very beginning, with a very limited budget. We will source our clothes and assemble a medical kit. We will practice our survival skills by working on our bushcraft skills. We will make what we don’t have and I’ll make sure you can do these projects too. By the end of this trip, just imagine how much you’re going to learn. Think of the confidence you will gain. We’ll take my experience and your will and together we will PREVAIL.
I’ll carefully document my every move. I’ll explain in detail all that you need to know. I’ll provide plenty of pictures and we’ll even shoot some video. No fancy equipment here. No Tom Foolery. You don’t have to do exactly what I do. Just follow the principles. Get out of your comfort zone. Challenge yourself and become a better version of you. Take the “blue pill” and you’ll wake up and think whatever you want to think. Take the “red pill” and I’ll show you how far the rabbit hole goes. Remember, all I’m offering is the truth…
- Jonathan