I was thinking about taking some kind of 'survival' class. It should be something that teaches you what you can eat and take advantage of in an emergency, or a survival situation.
I think it would serve as a good reminder to not take the level of comfort and security my life has now for granted.
Also, we live in a society that discourages improvisation. Just check out gadget catalogues.
Worse still, are parenting magazines and catalogues. I believe those are why American women feel compelled to carry a gigantic diaper bag for every possible 'necessity' a baby will need when you take them to the mall. Not to mention gigantic strollers with SUV brand names that convert from a car-seat carriage to a big kid stroller and have many other features.
There's nothing wrong with getting these things (most are gifts anyway). It's just that these items, designed to make your life easier with baby, kill opportunities to develop the art of improvisation.
Even cookbooks discourage just using what food you already have in your kitchen. You have to go out shopping for a bunch of special ingredients for just one Rachel Ray recipe.
I'm not saying we should live a life devoid of things that make it easier or more enriched. That would be foolish. However, it would be wise to have the skills necessary to live without.
We can't guarentee that the measure of security and comfort we have now will continue indefinitely.
I think if I took a survival-type class, I would actually learn what going 'back to basics' means. Also, I think it will help me realize what things I really need to live. That should bring more security than any gadget can offer.
Let me know if you have any suggestions as to what kind of classes I should take, or books to read.
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2 comments:
Devek studied w/ a guy who was a Navy Seal & he was a person who really knew how to live w/out. Besides being part of the training, he incorporated it into his daily life. I found him to be one of the most contented people I have ever met b/c he wasn't worried about material things.
You should check out the non-credit classes they offer over at FCC. I bet they would have one on backpacking or camping. Those classes usually teach survival & how to use or get by on basic necessities. A lot of those classes run for a few weeks, while others are only one session. I guess you'll just have to get the course notebook to find out. I bet you will enjoy this!! Devek & I like the Campmor catalogues. They've been around for years & have everything needed for outdoor living/survival. I enjoy the kitchen & cooking supplies they sell. Some gadgets serve multiple uses which is to help you save packing space. Anyway, keep us posted on this new endeavor!!!
I like your thought here. It harmonizes well with the anti-perfectionism Flylady philosophy. You don't have to have the "perfect" cleaning product in your cabinet.. you can still keep a nice house with plain old declutter/tidy-up sessions, regular vacuuming, daily clearing + wiping the kitchen counters, etc etc. For me it puts a new angle on the concept though, to hear it as a positive action to "encourage improvisation" instead of the negative "don't be a perfectionist."
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