I've struggled with exactly what I wanted to say with this post. I couldn't even decide on a title. Perhaps its because I don't have much to say or maybe its because there was more then one post jumbled in my head and competing to be written. Whatever the reason, I finally decided to just start writing and sort it out as I go.
Usually, I tend to focus on talking about things that I am interested in which I hope will help whoever is reading to become more self sufficient and through self sufficiency be more able to survive in the future. I have no way of knowing if what I write interests anybody else or helps in any way. Its difficult to write in a short post everything that there is to know about a subject. I have to write enough to explain what I'm doing but not so much that I lose the interest of you, the reader. Since I don't know exactly WHO is reading or your personal skill level or needs, I just have to write the way I am personally led and hope that someone will find the post useful.
As I said, its impossible to write everything there is to know about a subject so some posts may seem incomplete. That is where you, the reader, have to take the information offered and either ask questions, make comments or proceed with your own research and experimentation. So, the hope on my part is to create a spark which will peak your interest. When that happens, then hopefully you will practice and learn new skills. Eventually, you can then pass those skills on to others which will help with THEIR survival.
Recently, a good friend of mine was invited to give a speech to a local garden club. They told her that she could speak on anything. She told me she would be speaking about some prepper topics which would include growing herbs and herbal remedies. This was NOT a prepper group and she had never met the members. She had no idea how she was going to be received but she decided to go out on a limb and share things she felt they NEEDED to know. I did not help her to prepare in the least. Afterwards, she called me very happy and excited and said it went wonderfully. She included some info on canning and other areas of prepping. She was questioned with interest and excitement from the people present. She provided a "spark" for each of them. To say I am proud of her is an understatement. She surprised me when she called me and said, "It's all because of you". She says if I hadn't taught her and guided her she NEVER would have been able to share what she did with that group. She seems to believe that I am deserving of more credit then I think is my due.
When I first met her it was simply to teach her to can food which I did. I held her hand through several canning sessions and answered questions for what seemed like months. She has since canned many, many jars of food. She now does it without calling me for reassurance. I have also shared some other pioneer type "skills" with her and we have spent many hours doing them together. In return, I asked only one thing from her. I requested (as I always do) that she go on and teach at least one other person for free. She agreed and has held up her end of that bargain. I have many reasons for that request but mostly it is because when it is paid forward then there is someone else who will become more self sufficient. That's just one more person who won't be dependent. Its someone who has a better chance at survival WTSHTF that the rest of us won't have to worry about.
Through all the sharing and learning, we forged a friendship. Now I am the first to admit that I am not an easy person to befriend. I am not warm and fuzzy. I can be brutally honest. I can be cold and distant. I am often impatient and bossy. I sometimes push people to do things they wouldn't normally do. I don't ask people to do anything I wouldn't do myself BUT I haven't met many things that I wouldn't tackle and consequences be damned. Even with all that she hung in there as any true friend does. That's not to say that she is an easy friend herself:) Sometimes I have felt like a bug under a microscope. Every piece of my life and brain has been observed and picked to pieces. Every task is a competition. Every project I am involved in becomes a challenge. I've heard MY own WORDS passed on to others which some say is the highest compliment. We've had ups and downs as well as laughter and harsh words. Despite ourselves we are still friends.
Do I deserve the credit for her successful speech? I don't think so. SHE thinks that I deserve a big portion. What I do think
I did was provide the spark. She had to go from there and do her own research, practice, practice, practice and finally present what she learned to others. Did I teach her some things? Absolutely. BUT the work and the effort was ALL her own. She did great. I'm proud of her. She learned far more through her own effort then what I gave her with my teaching. I was the spark but she built the fire and then she passed the spark on to others. For me that's what it's all about.
So what do you care and why am I sharing all this? Well, this blog and my participation with it, is only a possible spark. I hope that you will take what I (and others) share and use it to learn what you can. Surely, every post won't make a spark for every reader. My hope is that the people who DO learn some small thing will feel a need to do further research. Ultimately I hope you will proceed to DOING some of the things written about and be helped by the information here. Then when you're ready, I hope you will BE the spark for someone else. I don't presume to take credit for anything since I don't talk about or do anything that hasn't been done by generations before me. What I do believe is that BEING a spark in others prepping journey is as important as storing up supplies for our own future. Being a spark gives back what is given to each of us and assures that others will be survivors rather then takers. If you're reading this then somewhere along the way you have already experienced a few sparks which led you to prep. NOW is the time to fan that spark into a fire. Press forward and hone your skills. Then consider being a spark for others who YOU find searching for help in their prepping journey.
Southern Wood Elf