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A Wayƒarer′s Liƒe Lessons
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The Lessons
Learned and Later Taken to Heart
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AS A RESULT of his three year quest afoot, he was to acquire from his experiences, much in the way of practical wisdom. Further, he also was to take to heart several noteworthy lessons, those that he knew could only help him in the future and therefore, hopes that he will never need abandon and leave these lessons behind, much like he had easily done three years earlier with the entirety of his worldly possessions.
Lessons Learned
Indeed, he reasons in his heart that these lessons are meant to be keep close at hand to use in the years to come, even for them to become to him life lesson.
Furthermore, his determination is that in the years to come, these life lessons, all treasures to him now, shall continue to increase in value and number.
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Learning a life lesson is good for a wayƒarer, living a life lesson is good for a wayƒarer′s heart.
In his Scout troop as a boy, there was an opening ceremony at each meeting. When the time arrived for the meeting to commence, the Scoutmaster would stand up and silently raise his right arm in the Scout sign.
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Upon seeing the Scoutmaster, each Scout would stand at silent attention and raise his arm in the Scout sign.
When the entire troop was at attention, the Scoutmaster would start reciting the Scout Oath which begins with the words "On my honor, I will do my best..." and the entire troop would join with him in reciting the Scout Oath.
The Scout Oath begins with the words: "On my honor, I will do my best..." followed by three separate expressions, each of which serves as a solemn promise that a Scout makes both to himself and to the Troop. These promises are:
To do my duty to God and my Country and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.
As it was then, even now the Scout Law remains a list of twelve words following the expression "A Scout is". These twelve words have embodied within them weighty ideals that are intended to help each scout to exert oneself to be a better person both as a young boy and even when he grows into an adult.
Thus, the Scout Law so Remains:
A Scout is
Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind,
Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.
Just Words learned By Rote?
Embodied within the above words are profoundly found the foundation on which the Scouting organization is built and encompasses the entire conduct and goals a Scout should strive to achieve, both as a boy and in the life of the adult that the boy will later become.
Indeed, these ideals are notably high but have been thus elevated so by intent.
As the boy this wayƒarer once was grows to adulthood, all those words learned while in Scouting continue to return to him in altogether new and different ways.
No longer words drilled by rote into a boy′s memory, these same words have become ideals now embedded deep within the heart. These simple words learned so many years ago continue to broaden in their meaning and scope through the life of this wayƒarer.
The following list has been organized in the order that the life lessons have been relearned and subsequently taken to heart by this Wayfarer.
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Liƒe Lesson
One. A Wayƒarer is Reverent
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The Way of Holiness.
Isaiah 35:8
A wayƒarer must needs learn how to walk upon this Way.
Too, a wayƒarer always endeavors to build appreciation for the simple truth that to keep taking steps upon this way, he must needs carry and read the one book given to men by God which did so to provide instruction to guide their lives and lead their step on the way that their Creator desires them to walk.
(Psalm 119:105)
This book is of course, God′s Word the Bible.
Thus, in order to walk well upon this chosen path, a wayƒarer must needs read in his Bible each and every day so that he may obtain and maintain spiritual focus for the journey on his
life path. By obtaining and maintaining spiritual focus, this wayƒarer will be better equipped to avoid and/or overcome all the
obstacles which will be encounter on the way to the
summit.
Too, to increase appreciation and understanding of the word of God, all wayƒarers should meditate on the words that are being read, bethinking what the words tell this wayƒarer about God and His love for all of mankind.
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Liƒe Lesson
Two. A Wayƒarer is Thrifty
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After long meditative walks with
Solitude on the
Appalachian Trail, this wayƒarer develops one of his most important guiding principles for his life: "The true needs of a man are five, even six: sustenance, clothing, shelter, work, companionship and for a few, worship." (Order not definitive.)
To achieve agreement with this principle, a wayƒarer must come to fully understand and appreciate the profound difference between want and need. The following is an excerpt from The Wayƒarers Journal, Episode One, page 140.
“Since antiquity, man has failed to prudently distinguish between his wants and his needs, a determination that is usually entrusted to his desires. Sadly, all too often, the difference between wants and needs is blurred by external influence.
“Nonetheless, for a wayƒarer, in this weighty determination of which ones of his personal belongings and gear that are to be worthy enough to be transported as the burden, it is his aspiration and intention to find the perfect balance between want and need; thus it is assuredly necessary to suppress the want to a position of insignificance and ennoble the need into an art form.”
Thus a wayƒarer fervently avoids acquiring inutile possessions because each and every pound in the burden equals to a four pound load on the feet, two on each foot. A wayƒarer remembers that the designation as lightweight, or any other such descriptive word used by manufacturers to promote the selling of their gear, should never be the primary determining factor for what is chosen to go into his burden.
Ultimately, this lesson of thriftiness rings true with this principle: things do not bring happiness; rather things bring grief, living without them unleashes freedom.
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Liƒe Lesson
Three. Leather Always requires Breaking in.
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Boot Leather
Through experience, a wayƒarer has become aware that no matter how soft the leather seems to be, all new boots require breaking in, and often it is longer than one would think it should take.
Before trying to break in new leather, a wayƒarer makes sure that his first aid kid is well stocked with those items he must needs when boots prove difficult.
To shorten the time required for breaking in leather boots, this wayfarer has learned that if he is to walk into water, saturate the boots through to the socks, and then walk until the boots are dry, it is less likely the books will prove difficult.
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Liƒe Lesson
Four. A Wayƒarer is always Prepared
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Always Be Prepared
A wayƒarer knows that it is always beneficial to be prepared for any thing that may present itself. He understands that often it is just knowing what to do that helps him to maintain preparedness.
However, when it comes to the weather, a wayƒarer knows that it is particularly important to be prepared, especially more so when he is living and traveling out of doors.
Thus, a wayƒarer always carries in his burden clothing appropriate both for the weather and for the season.
If the time comes when he finds himself in a life threatening situation, he would never hesitate to ask for help.
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Liƒe Lesson
Five. A Wayƒarer is Clean
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A wayƒarer, when living outdoors, will clean himself before getting into his sleeping bag. If there is no hot water, he will take a cold shower or if necessary, go to a creek to wash up. If there is no water available, he uses rubbing alcohol
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on his bandana to clean the dirt and oil from his skin before sleeping.
Cold Showers
A wayƒarer must needs come to appreciate hot showers for what that truly are, a special treat and thus never consider them to be a necessity. Too, a wayƒarer learns that a person can do without hot showers entirely and still fare well. In fact, a wayƒarer learns to stay clean even when a shower, hot or cold, is not available.
During the process of selling his home, a wayƒarer came into his bathroom with the desire to take a hot shower but finds that the home inspector, on the day before, inadvertently turned off the water heater.
For the remaining days before the sale of his home, this same wayƒarer would take cold showers every day and in doing so, thus feels that this could help him to become better prepared for the coming
great tribulation.
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Liƒe Lesson
Six. A Wayƒarer is Kind
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A wayƒarer is polite to others always treating them with kindness, regardless of how they personally act towards him.
There is another wise expression that goes with this lesson, especially if another person is really getting under his skin. This expression is one that a wayƒarer always endeavors to hold true: "If you don′t have anything good to say to someone, don′t say anything."
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Liƒe Lesson
Seven. A Wayƒarer is Cheerful
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Always Rejoice
Philippians 4:4
A wayƒarer rejoices on days when the sun shines, he accepts the rainy days and maintains his cheerfulness. A wayƒarer learns to always take the good with the bad, be it the weather, where he sleeps, what he has to eat, or even if his vehicle′s engine burns up on the side of the highway.
Thus, a wayƒarer comes to fully appreciate that no matter how bad the moment may seem to be, it will soon pass and the sun will shine once again.
Even when there is a prolong heavy rain, a wayƒarer knows that no matter how depressing it may currently seem, life afterwards is so worth the wait. This is especially true when considering the hope of the paradise.
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Liƒe Lesson
Eight. A Wayƒarer is Loyal
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A wayƒarer learns what is truly important for his journey to the real life and sets priorities in order to obtain his goals, then works towards his goal and forsakes all else no matter what the cost.
First and foremost of his priorities is to follow the example of loyalty that God has and continues to show his people.
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Liƒe Lesson
Nine. A Wayƒarer is Helpful
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Helping Others
Acts 20:35
A wayƒarer knows that helping other in need not only helps the one in need but is also good for one′s own self.
First and foremost in A Wayƒarers desire to help others is his desire to share the spiritual blessing he has come to appreciate and love in his life.
A wayƒarer, in order to save money during cold weather, puts on more clothes or blankets instead of just turning up the heat. A wayƒarer learns to sleep as often as possible without having the heater on which also will keep him healthier and his life longer.
Therefore, in the long run, doing this will be cutting back on energy resources and will thus help the environment and the earth.
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Liƒe Lesson
Ten. A Wayƒarer is Brave
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A wayƒarer endeavors to set beneficial long range goals in order to further his service in the Lord′s work. Then he works at obtaining his goals. Being brave takes courage. In turn, courage is the quality of being strong, bold, and valiant. Being brave does not mean never being afraid. Rather, it means taking action in spite of our fears, especially with help from God.
When taking steps upon his journey, a wayƒarer who comes to an impasse, will not stop seeking his goal, nor will hesitate to turn back to try a different approach, but he will stay focused on the his goal and strive to obtain it despite the costs.
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Liƒe Lesson
Eleven. Know Simplicity
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Keep Focused on the Prize
Matthew 6:22
A wayƒarer keeps his possessions to a bare minimum which in turn allows for the following axiom to work well. "A place for everything and everything in it's place." This is a quote from Mr. Spock in one episode from the television science fiction series, Star Trek.
To Illustrate:
Several brother had stopped for a coffee break from the ministry and a discussion ensued about doing repair work on their own auto.
Warren comments about the status of his tools, "I have so many tools that I don′t know where most of them are. Often, when looking for hours to find a specific tool and not finding it, I go to the store and buy another. Then after beginning to work with the new tool, often I find where I put the other ones. Some of the tools, I have three or four of each."
Ray says, "My tool box is exactly the same way."
Then Tommy comments "I know exactly where all of my tools are!"
Ray asks, "How is that possible?"
Tommy answers, "Except for only a few tools which are needed most often and which I keep in my small tool box, the rest of my tools are kept at the hardware store and when I need a special tool for a job, I buy it. After I am finished with the job, I give that special tool to one of my brothers to keep.
"Then, if I ever need the same tool again, I go and buy another one. This way, I don′t have to find a place for it, maintain it, remember where I put it. Also, when ever I need to use it, it is always brand new."
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Liƒe Lesson
Twelve. Acquire Need Level
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Achieve Need Level
1 Timothy 4: 8
Often, a wayƒarer chooses as a life quest the achieving of need level. Need level is the time in a wayƒarer′s existence when the art form (of developing the need over the want) has been fully ennobled.
Too, this is a time in a wayƒarer′s life when he considers each and every possessions in his burden and if it is necessary for him to continue living.
Another aspect of his considering his possessions involves what the Vulcan Spock once said to Doctor McCoy who had just asked him, How do you keep your living quarters so tidy? Spock looked at his room and then replied with a simple truism, For every thing is a place, and every thing in its place.
Thus, I have learned that not only should every thing have a place, but there is need to keep each item in it′s place. Also, to be able to remember where each and every place is located, means that a wayfarer must keep his possessionship at need level.
Acquiring Need Level
In every instance of a wayƒarer′s life, before making a purchase, he must needs asks himself, "Do I really need that?" If a wayƒarer is true to his calling, he will almost always give answer to this question by recalling both Life Lesson Two and Life Lesson Eleven, and choose to apply both before making the purchase decision.
In fact, the guiding principle applicable to both the application and the experience is: If you do with less, then you more than likely will have more.
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Liƒe Lesson
Thirteen. A Wayƒarer is Courteous
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A wayƒarer always carries his own burden in life, and never expects someone else to carry it for him.
Sometimes in life, it may be necessary for a wayƒarer ask someone for help. If when a wayƒarer receives help from another, he goes out of his way to be grateful to that person. He verbally thanks the person right away and then endeavors to do something special for that person. In the least it should be to send a card in the mail (or an email) thanking them again. Depending on how much help received, the something special should increase proportionally.
If the help that a wayƒarer needs is to borrow something from your friend, one of their possessions for any purpose, a wayƒarer makes it a point to always bring it back in as good or better condition that when it was loaned to the wayƒarer.
After cleaning the borrowed item, a wayƒarer should go the extra mile: tune it up; sharpen it; add a new spark plug; or whatever the circumstances call for. In this situation, a wayƒarer can never go overboard.
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Liƒe Lesson
Fourteen. A Wayƒarer is Trustworthy
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To be a trustworthy person is important because often, others depend on him to accomplish his assignment, so, he does what ever in necessary to overcome any obstacles he faces on the way.
No matter what he finds as obstacles along the path, whether the crossroads that entice, the islands, the rocks, the roots, the ruts or even the webs stretched across, whatever the obstacles that present themselves to test his deftness in service of the most high God, a wayƒarer will prove trustworthy and fulfill his assignments.
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Liƒe Lesson
Fifteen. A Scout Promise To Keep Myself
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A wayƒarer knows that to keep physically strong, maintain good health and keep off excess weight, he must needs drink a lot of water. In fact, a wayƒarer finds it beneficial to frequently fill up on water.
Also, in recent times, much research has been done on water quality and this has become an interest of this wayƒarer. He has recorded his findings about
water in the Quill Strokes, as part of the Real Way.
Too, there is much research in the way of nutrition that may be found available to those who would want to know. This too has become a topic of research and much has been learned about this topic.
Furthermore, a wayƒarer knows that no matter how much praise is given a particular food by the manufacturer, their praise does not necessarily make the food good for you. Also, to live healthy, one must eat healthy
food, in fact, it must needs be living food, which by him has been thoroughly researched and the findings also recorded in the Quill Strokes, as part of the Real Way.
Foods to Avoid
In this section, I have found a lot of foods the are both not nutritious neither are they beneficial for good health.
One food in particular is cow milk. This so called food is actually detrimental to good health because of the growth hormones contained within. Just think, a calf has to grow three hundred pounds in one year, so, what do you think cow milk will do to humans. Remember this saying, If it is not your momma, then, it is not your milk.
When I tell people that saying about milk, many people will agree but still reply, Well goat milk is much better for you. Then, I ask in a serious tone, What part of Not Your Momma did you not understand?
In reference to the list of foods that are detrimental to most humans, please see The Real Way, Life Journey Step Three,
Foods To Avoid
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Liƒe Lesson
Sixteen. A Wayƒarer is Obedient
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Listening is foremost in striving to be obedient. Listen to instruction, apply it and then be blessed. This is most assuredly true when it comes to directions from the Word of God.
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Liƒe Lesson
Seventeen. A Wayƒarer is Friendly
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To gain a friend, one must be a friend, thus says a principal that a wayƒarer always endeavors to live by.
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Liƒe Lesson
Eighteen. A Scout Promise To Keep Myself
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Mentally Awake
Matthew 10: 16
The Bible says that the last days will be filled with wicked people, in fact it says that these one will grow from bad to worse.
(2 Timothy 3: 13)
Since we are living in the final part of the last days, and there are a growing number of these wicked people who would cheat, deceive, defraud, embezzle, pilfer, rob, scam, steal, swindle or otherwise carry out their wicked schemes upon any one who would allow it, a Christian must be constantly on guard for any incursions from those who are on the left side and destined for the cursing prepared for the devil and his lot.
(Matthew 25: 33,
41)
A Case in Point.
On
428 TB, while sitting outside and sanding a cabinet, a man walking down the street greets me and when I reply in kind, he approaches me to shake my hand and says "Welcome to Hemet." A conversations began in which I quickly redirect the conversation to a Bible topic. In the hour long discussion, he shows genuine interest in what I am trying to teach him which gives me the impression that he would be a good candidate for teaching him the truth of what is in the Bible.
What I did not know then, nor for some time after, is that he was perpetrating an elaborate scam on me. When he was ready to leave, he said "I have to walk down to the store to change a hundred dollar bill." and then paused for me to reply. And reply, I did, saying "I have two fifties." He walked away and said "I will see you soon and I will bring my Bible."
A week later when Richard and I were working outside, he returned to tell me an elaborate story about how he had been arrested and been in jail for the last week. He said that when he went to pay his rent, the landlord called the police for him having counterfeit money. Detective Calvin said that even my two fifties were counterfeit and took all the money he was carrying. "Now," he says, "I am afraid that I will have to go back and spend more time in jail." to which I replied, "You need to begin praying to God for help immediately."
When he leaves, Richard, who was listening to the entire event, speaks up and says "That is the biggest scam I have ever heard." Can you believe it, I was still thinking that the man was in trouble and needed help. In fact, that was all part of his scam; he would try to befriend the target, endeavoring to make himself look trodden upon and worthy of help. Really, did I fall hook, line and sinker into his trap.
A Lesson Learned
Later, I tell Richard that it was only a hundred dollars, and that I do really feel that about money, that it is just a tool for us until the paradise arrives. Still, in bethinking the words of Jesus at Matthew 10:16, "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." referenced above, as a Christian, I must needs be wise as serpents, ever vigilant against those who would defraud me in such ways.
So, in the future, I must remember this life lesson and always keep myself Mentally Awake against such ones.
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Liƒe Lesson
Nineteen. A Scout Promise To Keep Myself
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Along with keeping physically and spiritually clean, keeping morally clean is imperative for
the people of God, in fact, in all their life, they should stand out as distinctly different from the people of the world, even those who claim to worship God, and who flock to the many different churches.
A wayƒarer will read the Bible daily, meditate on its principles and teachings, then apply what he has learned in his everyday life. Too, to help him keep strong and built up, he endeavors never to miss that gatherings of the true people of God.
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Liƒe Lesson
Twenty. Buying Used Cars
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When buying a used vehicle, it is very important to keep checking the fluid levels for the first several months. Doing this will prevent a surprise fluid level loss that might go down to a point where something mechanical could go bad.
The lesson was brought to my attention when purchasing my second jammer, the
1989 Aerostar. I left Oak Harbor, Washington and by the time I crossed the Rio Grande river on on Day
526 TB, there was blue smoke coming out of the back end of the van.
Soon after that, I checked the fluids and found out that the transmission fluid was very low, not even showing on the dip stick. When I did get to a place to by fluid, on on Day
532 TB, it required three quarts before the level was back up to where it should be. I did buy an extra quart just in case what ever had been causing it to go down continued.
Then on on Day
535 TB, thanks to my friend Joe, I am able to get the van up on a rack to pull the transmission and have it rebuilt. After that, I tell myself again, that from now on, this is a no-brainer lesson for me, when you buy a car, always keep a close check on all the fluids, for at least a month or two, just in case it has a leak such as this jammer had.
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Liƒe Lesson
Twenty-one. Self-sufficiency, Not Self-reliance
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One very important lesson that I have learned early in my life is to never be self-reliance, which has the definition of: depending on one′s self for all of those things necessary so as to be able to walk on one′s life journey.
The Subject of Needs
This subject, that of what is involved in those things necessary for sustaining a person, is discussed in full on my website in
The Burden Passage under the section,
The Scrip. Of course, the information in this section is from a backpacking viewpoint but this list spills over into the Emergency Bag which will suit any person for supplying all that is necessary to keep walking on the path.
Self-reliance
I believe there are many people who are like myself, that is, someone who has always been self reliant. My simple definition of being self reliant is someone whose first thought when a problem arises, is to take care of it yourself, and not to call in an expert on the subject or someone who is a trained professional on the matter.
Following this philosophy leads this one to acquiring skills in many fields. Not necessarily becoming as skilled and knowledgeable as someone who does these things for a living, but becoming qualified enough to take care of things as they arise.
Self reliance is relying on one′s self, one′s own powers and aspires towards non-dependence. It is a personality characteristic and one which is all about You.
Self-sufficiency
In general, self-sufficiency can be thought of as complete autonomy from any outside help. Is that possible though? Is it possible to be a home-steading hermit with no input from the outside world? My gut says absolutely Not, but we should probably dive into this a little bit deeper.
To examine this question, let′s first look at the animals. The animal kingdom is rich and diverse, overflowing with a massive number of species. Many of which are solitary, meaning that they live alone in order to avoid competition from members of their own species (such as the jaguar and other large cats).
Does their ability to survive with a solitary lifestyle equate to self-sufficiency? Not really. This is because the word self-sufficiency includes in its definition, the feeling of contentment, which animals do not or can not obtain. Even though many would say that their pet is content, there pet would only be able to achieve that from their owner, not on their own.
The Greek words found in the Bible rendered self-sufficient (Greek: autarkes) conveys the idea of being content and satisfied with what one has, self complacent, or content.
Secret of Self-Sufficiency
Paul, an apostle of Jesus, wrote a very important message about understanding the difference between self reliance and self sufficiency. This is found at Philippians 4:11-12 which states, "11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
During the journey Paul embarked upon, he learned from his experiences to be adaptable to any situation he came upon. In fact he explains why he was happy and content despite whatever event occurred. What was his secret? He was content to trust wholeheartedly in the most high God, through the direction of His son Jesus.
A Lesson Learned
What is the lesson learned? As mentioned at the onset of this Life Lesson, I learned early in my life not to depend upon myself and be self-reliant. Instead, I have learned to depend completely on the Most High God to provide all of my needs throughout my entire life. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
Yes, it was this verse, and others that convinced me to be completely reliant, not on myself, but on the Most High God, Jehovah.
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Liƒe Lesson
Twenty-two, Over-nighting in Stealth Mode
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As a full time Wayfarer, one who travels with the seasons so as to obtain a comfortable environment where ever he is parked, I have come to have several travel rules. These travel rules are based on Life Lessons that I have learned. Let me explain.
Overnighting in Stealth Mode
This expression is something that I have created to describe how I park my vehicle so that I can spend the night sleeping.
First, Overnighting as used elsewhere within this website is defined as: 1. Spending the night parked at a particular location (which is not your place of residence) for the purpose of sleeping in your vehicle with the intend of leaving the next morning or possibly in a day or more. Most people stay overnight by paying for a night in a motel or a campsite. I find that I will often stay in a campsite, especially when the temperature is dropping close to freezing, in order to plug in my electric heater. However, in the life of a wayƒarer, there is never enought funds to spend on the exorbitant price of a motel.
Second, Stealth Mode as used elsewhere within this website is defined as: 1. A method of parking overnight used by a wayƒarer when there are no campsites or parking sites readily available. Stealth mode is achieved when a wayƒarer parks his vehicle in such a way that no one notices it, neither does the vehicle nor the wayƒarer disturb the populace in any way. This is normally achieved when the vehicle is parked after sunset and after parking the vehicle, the wayƒarer does not get out of the vehicle for any reason, but puts up his window light shades and maintains quite throughout the night.
Stealth Mode Overnighting: Rule Number One
Park in such a way as to not impede traffic, nor disturb the surrounding community in any way. When parking in a subdivision of homes, never park directly in front of one of the homes, instead find a side street to park on.
Stealth Mode Overnighting: Rule Number Two
Always arrive at the overnighting spot after the sun has set and after any local workers have stopped working and gone home for the night.
Stay in the vehicle and if you use lights inside, put up window shades to block the light.
Stealth Mode Overnighting: Rule Number Three
In spite of how good the location may seem to be, limit the extent of you stay at the overnighting spot to seven to ten days maximum. Any longer will often result in someone noticing you vehicle parking there overnight and call the city police to investigate.
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Liƒe Lesson
Twenty-three, Cooking Outdoors
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Story of Outdoor Cooking:
Cooking outdoors is the preparation of food in one of the many types of outdoor kitchens. Often, this includes cooking one or more of several types of meat. There is and has always been a notable group of practices as well as specific equipment that exists for doing so.
Further, cooking outdoors has traditionally been associated with nomad cultures including the Plains Indians, the pioneers in North America, and other indigenous tribes in both North and South America. In modern times, the methods and practices used have been refined by some who cook outdoors during recreational outdoor pursuits, including backpackers, campers and RVers.
In the middle of the 1900s, much of the effort of developing techniques, exploring recipes and cookware was done in westernized countries by the Scouting movement, of which I was able to participate for many years.
While those who frequent the public campgrounds usually have easy access to food stores with plenty of fresh meat and fresh vegetables, those who journey on any extended trip into the backcountry do not have the same option to carry much fresh food, due to the lack of proximity to markets and the desire not to cary the extra weight from high water content of the fresh foods. Instead, those upon backcountry trips will rely mostly on food with low water content, such as dried meats, dried vegetables, packaged dehydrated foods, starches such as ramen, rice, rolled oats, quinoua and other pre-dried and/or pre-cooked foods. Some wilderness experts will sometimes make use of locally available wild foods, particularly wild vegetables and fruit but also occasionally fresh caught fish and other wild game.
Bear Bag:
Likely, the most important lesson to learn about an outdoor kitchen is how to keep it animal safe. What is critical to realize is that most animals have an exceptionally keen sense of smell. Hence, any item that has come in contact with food must be cleaned or kept separate from all other gear in a waterproof nylon bag, called by many backpackers a bear bag.
A bear bag should be hung with a cord each night or any time you are away from you backpack. Also, if you are staying in one area for a few days, leave the bear bag hanging unless you are using the contents for cooking. In bear country, the bag should be hung ten feet above the ground and ten feet from any tree. This altitude and location can be accomplished with a rope thrown over a high branch and after pulling the bear bag to an appropriate altitude, secure the opposite end to a tent stake some distance away.
When hung inside a shelter, the bag should be hung from a high point on a cross beam. To keep mice from climbing down the cord, slide a flat round disk down to a knot in the cord so any mouse slides off when trying to climb over the disk.
If you use you water bottle to hold anything but water, such as powdered mixes, that bottle should go into the bear bag as well. Otherwise, a bear, with his keen sense of smell, may wander into your sleeping area because of smelling that powdered drink mix residue that is still in your water bottle.
Other items that will need to be stored in your bear bag are your chap-stick, toothpaste, cooking gear and any thing else scented by their manufacturers.
Cooking Types:
Most outdoor cooking is done by one or more of the following methods: direct heat, boiling, roasting, grilling, frying, baking, foil cooking, portable stoves, or in Dutch ovens and/or other types of
cookpot(s).
What ever you choice of cooking method, it is important to remember that any nearby animal will smell the food cooking and be on the watch for an opportunity to grab a bit if you are distracted from the food being cooked on the fire.
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This Passage Last Updated: 22 September 2024
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