Thursday, October 15, 2026

October 15 - Buy Land Build Systems

October 15, 2026

Day 1,842 of the Adventure


Much of the frustration that many of us face with current economic conditions is that of diminished control over our own destiny. Meaning that on every front, someone, whether it's a company, a person or a government, seems to be doing everything in their power to box us in to a greater dependence on them. That culture of dependence locks us into a contract of sorts where our basic necessities can only be provided by way of a "pay to play" system. This system covers everything from utilities, housing, entertainment, insurance, and more. To make matters worse, the movement has recently been expanding to paid subscription services for optional features. A few examples include monthly subscriptions for things like heated seats, hands free driving, remote start and locking features in our vehicles. Things like predictive maintenance modules added to our appliances. Even just basic streaming services from the dozens upon dozens of entertainment platforms at our fingertips. 

Our society is rapidly figuring out how to maximize its grip on our resources. It's something that happens a little at a time up until we are locked into it so deep that it takes a major effort and commitment to break free from. It's never much more than a few dollars hear and a few more there. Before we know it, we have a half dozen streaming services, another cluster of aps on our phones. a DoorDash account and more. To be clear about all of it. I guess I'm not opposed to any of those things that a user finds to be of value to them. What I see, and probably what I am also opposed to is when all of those little conveniences and services had accumulated to the point where they have dominated one's budget. The point where the essentials of food, housing, energy and other absolute necessities are no longer affordable. Then all of the conveniences have become nothing more than a cruel ball and chain in our lives. 

The biggest problem is that the essentials of life are mostly made up of things we have very little control over. Things like rent or mortgage payments, electricity, water and perhaps gas utility costs, insurance, food and transportation. Most of these things are not optional. That's the bad news. The better news is that some of them do allow us some flexibility in our bondage to them. Food, housing, energy and transportation are all contingent upon the power of the connection we have to them. The overall cost of our food, for example, can be higher or lower depending on our personal practices. We can choose to begin a discipline of growing and preserving what we can. We can buy ingredient-based foods verses pre-packaged meals. We can choose to forego delivery services and simply return to the weekly or monthly shopping list. Regarding housing, we can choose to move towards more efficient, smaller footprint housing. Perhaps choosing housing in less expensive areas or regions. We can begin a program to reduce energy consumption by researching and adopting alternative power generation. All of these options can be instrumental in establishing freedom from outside sources and systems. It all falls under the umbrella of self-contained systems. The ultimate power that we can achieve is one of self-reliance from outside systems entirely.  Is that even possible? I know that it absolutely is for some of the friends in my circle. Have my systems been built out far enough yet to break free of the government and corporate systems I'm connected into? again, not yet but they are certainly getting closer by the day, week or month. 

Buy Land and Build Systems has become my personal battle-cry and I won't be satisfied until I've achieved the maximum level of independence from the systems of dependency on others. 

Carry On

Adventure Quote: “Insanity is doing the same thing, over and over again, but expecting different results.”
― Anonymous

Resources

Make sure to visit our website regularly to see new products and resources.

YouTube Channel: The Campfire Trail

Our Books
Treasures of Life - Daily Devotionals by Shelley
Treasures of Life 2 - Daily Devotionals by Shelley
Treasures of Life 3 - Daily Devotionals by Shelley
Back to the Land - Planning your Back to the Land Roadmap by Martin
Wealth Creation - Principles of Wealth Creation by Martin

Please Consider Subscribing to our newsletter in the upper right corner of this page.
on No comments:

October 4 - Our 5th Anniversary of Starting an Off-Grid Journey

October 4, 2026

Day 1,831 of the Adventure


Last Tuesday, we reached a significant milestone at The Campfire Trail. It was our 5th anniversary of purchasing the property. I suppose that the driving force behind this decision isn't a single thought as much as an accumulation of events. All of which point to the idea of gaining more control over the direction of life. Or perhaps, the "outcome" of life. The constant scramble to keep up with the costs of life was probably enough of a reason. The direction of "modern life" was probably more of the catalyst. The term "simple" has long left our vocabularies. It feels like nearly everything requires a "paid subscription" anymore from entertainment to features being built into our appliances, phones and even vehicles. The ability to work on or fix anything is becoming a thing of the past. To add to that, the lifespan of significant purchases has reached such a low that I'm beginning to search out older, more reliable forms of everything to replace the modern anything. What is the answer to all of it? For us, the answer is, simplify. 

Does that mean "simple" in all respects. No, not necessarily. Because simple does not always equate to easy, and "easy" is probably the line in the sand for many of us. In life, almost everything has elements of hardship. Like the old saying goes, "You must choose your 'hard'". I'm of the age that the outcomes of life dictate the amount of effort I wish to invest. For example, I like a good coffee, but am I willing to exchange a significant amount of my time for the ability to purchase a $7 gourmet coffee in a coffee shop? Not much anymore. A good black coffee with a shot of rich cream while sitting by a campfire in the woods provides all of the delectable experience I could want or need. I'm completely ready to exchange the simplicity of the high-tech electronics in my vehicles for the simplicity of the good old-fashion analog control systems of a vintage automobile. I know that would be a stretch for many, but I can tune, maintain and drive them without digital diagnostic tools and a PhD in electronic schematics. Not to mention the proprietary technology that is ever increasingly making that completely impossible. 

Okay, the rant is over. I've reached the point of tolerance in all of that to just want my own systems that I know and trust. All of that has alternatives from mainstream life and I'm increasingly "all in" for it. We are now five years into the building of these lower-tech, yet reliable systems. The genesis of them, at times, is challenging, but the reliability, simplicity and comfort that they provide is priceless. My new mantra of life is "Buy Land and Build Systems". Systems that are beneficial and serve our personal interests. Not systems designed to squeeze every ounce of freedom and finance out of us. 

Carry On

Adventure Quote: “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.” ― Bernard M. Baruch

Resources

Make sure to visit our website regularly to see new products and resources.

YouTube Channel: The Campfire Trail

Our Books
Treasures of Life - Daily Devotionals by Shelley
Treasures of Life 2 - Daily Devotionals by Shelley
Treasures of Life 3 - Daily Devotionals by Shelley
Back to the Land - Planning your Back to the Land Roadmap by Martin
Wealth Creation - Principles of Wealth Creation by Martin

Please Consider Subscribing to our newsletter in the upper right corner of this page.
on No comments:

Sunday, September 27, 2026

September 27 - The Urgency Meter of Economic Survival

September 27, 2026

Day 1,824 of the Adventure


Every year as we approach the autumn season, I think ahead to the upcoming uncertainty of winter. In past years, that has primarily involved a question of preparedness for winter storms. In our region, winter almost always includes power outages due to snow that are many times, upscaled with ice. It's just a nuisance of living in the Ozark Mountains. Our preps nowadays are very well established for both heat and power supply. This year, I'm looking at the coming winter through a different lens. One that goes beyond the basics of potential winter weather disruptions. This year, we as a nation are also facing the compounded effects of the economy squeezing us financially. Which in turn, has made winter survival much more complicated than it has in the past. Going through this summer, I was hearing reports of folks in our area struggling to keep up with their utility bills. Not only that, but much of their resources were being eaten up with higher prices of groceries, rent/mortgages, insurance, fuel prices and on and on. Everything is competing to consume the last meager dollars of our paychecks. It begged the question of "What if we simply do not have enough to cover all the bases as we enter into the winter season?"

It's a real concern in my mind. I've been sounding the alarm on this possibility for several years now and it feels like perhaps this year might be the breaking point with many. As we all approach this reality in our own way, a few things have stood out to me. It's kind of like the old adage of how people approach everything. "Theres three kinds of people. Those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who wonder what happened!" I'm convinced that this rule applies to general preparedness as much as it does to anything else. In my own circle of family, friends and acquaintances, I see all levels of this principle. A few....... but very few are proactively continuing to develop a firewall of preparedness measures against hard times. A larger percentage are watching, often complaining about the state of conditions but not doing much of anything to position themselves for difficulties. The third and largest group seems completely oblivious to it until the utility bill "shut-off" notice arrives in the mail. 

General preparedness doesn't mean you need to be prepared for world war 3, a complete grid-down collapse or even a zombie apocalypse. It means you need to prepare for what is most likely going to have an impact on your life in the real world. In that environment, literally the effects of our economy will likely have greater consequences than anything else we have to worry about. It's like death by a thousand small cuts. 

If there is a pathway of economic survival, it almost certainly won't come to us through the government. It probably won't come through our circle of friends, family or acquaintances. It's likely to begin with the realization that, "If it's going to be, it's up to me!" and that part begins with a decision. Starting the process by filling the pantry, getting caught up on the bills, reducing non-essential spending and simply getting life in order as quickly as possible will begin to remove uncertainty. Creating a pathway for economic survival is your greatest weapon in the fight against economic strangulation. The amount of time you spend worrying about how to keep the bills paid should be the "Urgency Meter" on your preparedness activities. If it's keeping you awake at night.......... It's probably time to start taking some serious action on your general preparedness activities. (Subscribe to "The Campfire Trail" YouTube channel for homesteading, off-grid and preparedness content)

Carry On

Adventure Quote: “I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.” ― Leonardo da Vinci

Resources

Make sure to visit our website regularly to see new products and resources.

YouTube Channel: The Campfire Trail

Our Books
Treasures of Life - Daily Devotionals by Shelley
Treasures of Life 2 - Daily Devotionals by Shelley
Treasures of Life 3 - Daily Devotionals by Shelley
Back to the Land - Planning your Back to the Land Roadmap by Martin
Wealth Creation - Principles of Wealth Creation by Martin

Please Consider Subscribing to our newsletter in the upper right corner of this page.
on No comments:

Monday, September 21, 2026

September 21 - Its Fall Y'all

September 21, 2026

Day 1,818 of the Adventure


We spent yesterday sweating and suffering in yet another 100 degree day. I don't even know how many that was for us this year, but it seemed like it was every single one of them all summer. This morning was different. Just as if the day on the calendar rolled over to fall, we awoke to a cool 67 degrees and residue of last night's thunderstorm dripping from the trees. A single thought ran through my head as I lay in the darkness of the pre-dawn morning. Today will include coffee by a campfire to get things started. To be fair, today will still climb into the lower 80's, but at least it's starting with a taste of what's to come. Even with the rain last night, the firewood just beneath the top layer was still dry enough to fire right up. In fact, it was crackling warm long before the coffee was done brewing. 

I sat quietly, absorbing the fresh air, breathing in the aroma of the damp woods. It was already beginning to put off hints of autumn leaves. From where I sit by the fire, I can see the wood splitting and storage area of our firewood processing shelter. While there is probably enough firewood already stored there for entirety of this coming winter, prudence dictates that we increase it substantially as the cooler weather allows.  

The change of another season is upon us and I'm reflecting on all of the chores we got done and the many more that still need our attention. The house building project marches slowly forward each day. We've finally consolidated all of our tools onto the property. It's the first time they've all been in the same place for close to 25 years. The garden remained idle this year, but I'm already looking at it with a look that implies "better get ready for next year". Next week on September 29th, will be our 5th year anniversary of being on the property. It's been a backwoods experience I would not trade for anything. Shelley and I are slowly and quietly building a backwoods life for ourselves here and the slow rhythms of that life suit us perfectly.  

Carry On

Adventure Quote: “I like this place and could willingly waste my time in it.” ― William Shakespeare

Resources

Make sure to visit our website regularly to see new products and resources.

YouTube Channel: The Campfire Trail

Our Books
Treasures of Life - Daily Devotionals by Shelley
Treasures of Life 2 - Daily Devotionals by Shelley
Treasures of Life 3 - Daily Devotionals by Shelley
Back to the Land - Planning your Back to the Land Roadmap by Martin
Wealth Creation - Principles of Wealth Creation by Martin

Please Consider Subscribing to our newsletter in the upper right corner of this page.
on No comments:

Sunday, September 13, 2026

September 13 - Maybe We're Already Doomed

September 13, 2026

Day 1,810 of the Adventure


This week we've been rocked with yet another disturbing story of Artificial Intelligence acting on its own in alarming ways. The story is the "Hugging Face" account of a swarm of A.I. agents breaking containment against their directives, gaining access to the internet, collectively hacking into a secure business server and stealing information. What makes it even creepier is that they (the A.I. agents even came up with a plan for many of them to take the blame for it if caught, so the rest could avoid scrutiny. (Here's just one report of it out of hundreds if you're unfamiliar with what happened)

This story revolves around uncontrolled hacking. In a nutshell, the ability for A.I. to successfully hack literally anything is enough of an issue. The fact that it's smarter, faster and more capable in every respect than humans are to prevent it is just the tip of the iceberg. The idea that hacking control over critical infrastructure is bad enough. The idea that they have already been caught engaging in virus engineering is borderline terrifying. 

Who knows exactly where this pathway will take us. It may indeed be too late to avoid the consequences of our actions regarding the development of A.I. already. We have personally begun to identify ways to minimize exposure to anything that can be hacked as a minimal firewall of protection. Establishing a security of sorts with infrastructure like energy production, water production, heat sources, food sources, communications system and more. It feels like this is moving fast enough that the time we have to prepare is getting very short, very fast. 

Carry On

Adventure Quote: “We are not preparing for the world we live in - we are preparing for the world we find ourselves in.” ― Michael Mabee

Resources

Make sure to visit our website regularly to see new products and resources.

YouTube Channel: The Campfire Trail

Our Books
Treasures of Life - Daily Devotionals by Shelley
Treasures of Life 2 - Daily Devotionals by Shelley
Treasures of Life 3 - Daily Devotionals by Shelley
Back to the Land - Planning your Back to the Land Roadmap by Martin
Wealth Creation - Principles of Wealth Creation by Martin

Please Consider Subscribing to our newsletter in the upper right corner of this page.
on No comments:

Saturday, September 5, 2026

September 5 - A Family Legacy of Independence

September 6, 2026

Day 1,803 of the Adventure


Building a family "Legacy of Independence" is one of those terms that sounds impressive and deeply fulfilling. While it sounds good, to actually put your finger on it's true meaning is another story. It's a subject that I've kept on the back burner of my mind for years, even decades. It implies leaving something worthwhile behind as we move on in our stages of life and then afterlife. I've always considered it to be a lofty and worthwhile objective. 

Over the years, that thought has evolved into various ideas of what it really means in real life. As Shelley and I sat on the back deck with our morning coffee, I was feeling more of an urgency about it. We were discussing things we had recently seen in the news and events playing out on the world geo-political stage. The general poor economy came up in conversation and how it's affecting us and our kids as they try to navigate the financial difficulties of it all. Adding to that was the unsettling reports coming out on almost a daily basis how the race to achieve general artificial intelligence is turning up bizarre, non-human, and even alarming behavior. During this sunrise conversation, I had an instant moment of clarity. My efforts in the waning portion of my life should be dedicated to creating that Legacy of Independence within the minds and lives of my children and grandchildren. Creating an environment that allows our kids to thrive in a world that mostly seems to be dedicated to making them numbers on a ledger. An existence that tries to extract every ounce of life and vibrance from their identity. 

As we discussed this over coffee, I began to see a plan unfold. We've spent the last twenty years of our lives getting ourselves to a place where we could build a life of self-sufficiency for ourselves. We always had in mind that it would be something of an inheritance for our kids. Today, I'm looking at it as an ongoing extension for them into the life and lifestyle that they can more readily experience for themselves here and now. We already know their likes and dislikes. We know what draws them to our backwoods oasis. Beginning today, my goal will be to learn in detail, the things they define for themselves as "Legacy Objectives". Whether it's for play, for security against economic pressures, or even long-term food production and preservation security, they will now become active participants in the decisions and directions of our homestead activities. 

How will this all play out? I'm not sure yet, but I'll provide updates as needed to help build a picture of our Family Legacy of Independence!

Carry On

Adventure Quote: “Are we being good ancestors?” ― Jonas Salk

Resources

Make sure to visit our website regularly to see new products and resources.

YouTube Channel: The Campfire Trail

Our Books
Treasures of Life - Daily Devotionals by Shelley
Treasures of Life 2 - Daily Devotionals by Shelley
Treasures of Life 3 - Daily Devotionals by Shelley
Back to the Land - Planning your Back to the Land Roadmap by Martin
Wealth Creation - Principles of Wealth Creation by Martin

Please Consider Subscribing to our newsletter in the upper right corner of this page.
on No comments:

Sunday, August 30, 2026

August 30 - Blazing Trails - A Backwoods Obsession

August 30, 2026

Day 1,796 of the Adventure


Building trails through the woods is a remarkably easy obsession to fall into. All it really takes is a good batch of woods and a flimsy reason to want to see them from the convenience of a mostly civilized walkway. Our trail building is a never-ending quest. At our age, 65 and 67, a rugged pathway is acceptable most times. A "drive through" trail is preferred when we either need to haul tools, building materials, firewood or any other number of reasons we venture off into the woods. The blazing of physical trails through the woods is the calm and relaxing process of uncovering pathways. The metaphorical trail-blazing that we've taken on as a "Life-Quest" is that of establishing pathways through the changing landscape of modern life. So many factors push us along through life in ways we many times feel we cannot choose for ourselves. Economic pressures, employment pressures, even the impact of the influence of artificial intelligence threaten to disrupt our future. Where does that leave us when trying to maintain a foothold on a normal life?

Just like blazing any other trail, the lessons we can learn from the process are similar. This morning, Shelley and I drove our small tractor and a golfcart back into the woods. Before we had gotten much more than a few feet, we ran into our first obstacle. Trees! Hundreds of them. We don't want to fight with trees, or even really deal with them much. I like to follow the path of least resistance. Meaning we will continue to visually survey the pathway forward. It winds to the left and the right. Uphill and down. All the while trying to avoid washouts, hills, gulleys, rock outcroppings and the like. Many times, especially while on the tractor, the process can feel harrowing. Nevertheless, as the pathway is opened and tamed, a sense of security begins to settle inn. Eventually, the path is clean and clear enough to navigate, even with the frail golfcart. 

As we continue to cut trails through the uncertainty of life, we are finding ways to increase security in the areas of food production, income generation, self-sufficiency in housing and utility usage. In fact, each year that passes, represents a stronger and more stable foundation of self-reliance. The pathways to independence are becoming more defined and easier to navigate. When we encounter, or perhaps, define a new area of life that could use some attention, the process of trail-blazing our way through the unknown and scary parts are not much different than jumping on the tractor and slowly picking our way through the unknown terrain of the backwoods. Locating that "path of least resistance" through the unknown will eventually lead to a smooth and defined pathway. One where the uncertainty of the unknown has been tamed into a friendly journey. If the future feels a little too much like a hostile jungle to navigate your way through, grab your trailblazing gear and start opening up a pathway through it all!

Carry On

Adventure Quote: “You never know what's around the corner. It could be everything. Or it could be nothing. You keep putting one foot in front of the other, and then one day you look back and you've climbed a mountain.” ― Tom Hiddleston

Resources

Make sure to visit our website regularly to see new products and resources.

YouTube Channel: The Campfire Trail

Our Books
Treasures of Life - Daily Devotionals by Shelley
Treasures of Life 2 - Daily Devotionals by Shelley
Treasures of Life 3 - Daily Devotionals by Shelley
Back to the Land - Planning your Back to the Land Roadmap by Martin
Wealth Creation - Principles of Wealth Creation by Martin

Please Consider Subscribing to our newsletter in the upper right corner of this page.
on No comments:

Sunday, August 23, 2026

August 22 - Tech Fatigue

August 16, 2026

Day 1,782 of the Adventure


My disdain for tech-anything has been well documented over the years. The fact that I engage in a little bit of social media, write various blogs and have a YouTube channel may lead people to believe I'm all into that. The fact is that I barely have a minimal grasp on any of it. Especially the initial part of setting it up and understanding how to use it. Once it's working, I mostly just leave it alone. It's all just too much work and effort to learn more than just the basics. Lately, as in over the last couple of years, a new level of tech is inundating our lives. It's that of paid subscription serves. Not the free ones. I'm referring to the ones that feel mostly being but nickel and dime us to death. Extortion is the word that come to mind. I suppose that it made its way onto my radar with cable TV. Which I avoided for years. Up until Monday night football went cable only. Then, with a lot of grumbling and complaining, I finally broke to the inevitability that the trend was here to stay. Soon came streaming services we had to pay for. Something you can't just have one or two of either. Now, every company has its own, and even if it's only $3.99 per month, if your show is on that network, you pay. It didn't take long for other industries to figure out they were missing out on a golden opportunity. Nowadays, subscription services stretch into appliance features, phone features, computer features, automobile features and the list goes on. Even though, for example. your car manufacturer went to the trouble and expense to install heated seats, which you paid for by the way, you may very well not be able to access that feature if you're unwilling to pay an ongoing monthly fee for it. 

The accumulative monthly effect of this is infuriating to me. Something in me snapped recently and I made a personal decision to not own or buy anything that relied on a paid subscription fee to access. The fact that we are slowly being conditioned to accept the idea of paying to rent things like heated seats, refrigerator ice makers and "fluff" settings on our laundry dryers is asking too much. What is the answer? I don't know other than personally, manufacturers and service providers that choose to follow that pathway will simply position themselves out of my marketability. My choice to not go there with them will not change anything for them, but it will give me the peace of mind to know that I am refusing to get dragged into that culture of control. 

It's a fatigue I never expected to encounter. It may indeed add to a level of inconvenience at times but as the old saying goes. It's now a "Bridge Too Far" for me. I'm not even trying to make a case why it would be a good idea for everyone to cancel all paid subscription services. You do you and I'll do me and me is not getting dragged in to anymore of this nonsense. 

Carry On

Adventure Quote: “For me, publishing books in hardback format is a protest against The World Economic Forum's decree that we will own nothing and be happy about it. In an economy that's subscription based, where we stream or rent everything as a service, this is my tiny, tangible F you.” ― Jarod Kintz

Resources

Make sure to visit our website regularly to see new products and resources.

YouTube Channel: The Campfire Trail

Our Books
Treasures of Life - Daily Devotionals by Shelley
Treasures of Life 2 - Daily Devotionals by Shelley
Treasures of Life 3 - Daily Devotionals by Shelley
Back to the Land - Planning your Back to the Land Roadmap by Martin
Wealth Creation - Principles of Wealth Creation by Martin

Please Consider Subscribing to our newsletter in the upper right corner of this page.
on No comments:

Sunday, August 16, 2026

August 16 - Convenience Creep - A Slow Conditioning

August 16, 2026

Day 1,782 of the Adventure



As I browse the news and YouTube videos related to the state of the economy and general living conditions in the world right now, there seems to be a sense of dread of the stability of our future beginning to permeate our lives. Perhaps it's not as widespread as it feels. Then again, with nearly 350 million people living in the country, even a one percent factor of economic hardship would affect three and a half million of us. There are days when I certainly feel like I'm in that group. In fact, the reality is that there are approximately 35.9 million U.S. citizens living in poverty. Estimated to be 10.6 percent. It's also estimated that roughly 33% of Americans actively rely on their credit cards to get by and pay for their daily living necessities like housing, food and transportation. It's also documented that 111 million Americans carry revolving credit card debt on their cards month to month rather than paying their balances down. Credit cards were introduced in 1950 and the practice of carrying debt balances on them became commonplace in the 1980's. The use of credit cards to simply cover essentials with no significant monthly paydown is more common today than ever before. 

My point, I guess, is to illustrate a slow decline for a large part of our population into a financial desperation of life. At least for many who are simply doing their best to keep their heads above water. It's been roughly 75 years since the onset of the convenience of credit cards when addressing personal debt. For whatever actual reasons, it's evolved from a convenience to a trap. A trap that has also become a last resort for millions who find it as their only way to make ends meet. Almost everyone I personally know has a similar story to tell. 

There's an interesting old adage about what to do if you need to dig yourself out of a hole. 

The first and most important step to dig yourself out of a hole—whether financial, personal, or professional—is to stop digging. Put down the shovel immediately, assess the situation calmly, and refuse to make the current problem any worse through reckless or impulsive actions.
Stop Making It Worse
  • Pause action: Stop using credit cards, hiding from bills, or repeating the bad habits that caused the issue.
  • Assess damage: Take a deep breath and look at the actual depth of the hole without panic.
  • Accept reality: Acknowledge how you got here so you can focus on the path up instead of blame.
Make a Rescue Plan
  • List facts: Write down the exact numbers, people, or problems involved.
  • Identify allies: Find who can help you—a trusted friend, an expert, or a professional advisor.
  • Take one step: Pick a single, small action you can do today to stabilize the ground beneath you.
Believe it or not, it's not just a clever concept, it's actually a very workable solution. In today's economic and employment crisis, there really is only one necessary element to the solution. You! Regardless of the pathway that brought you to this point. You have the power to stop and begin to reverse the trends that got you here. I'm never going to say it's easy. I am going to say that it's worth fighting back against it. I'd like to focus on one potential solution. That of building a plan around a more self-sufficient life and lifestyle. 

We have slowly become a society of consumers. One where anything and everything is available for a price.  The cost of that culture is one where our preferences have locked us into a treadmill of reliance on systems, conveniences and a host of subscription services. Nearly anything and everything you can imagine is designed to separate us from our money. I can't decide whether the marketing of these things is actually that much better, or that we have slowly been conditioned to simply make all of that a "normal" part of our existence. A couple years ago, Shelley and I declared to ourselves that this would no longer be our "normal". It was astounding how we had let a massive amount of "convenience creep" make its way into our life. 

The solution lies in the act of seeing the problem and making a decision to intentionally reverse the trend. Having finally made that decision ourselves has not led us to our final destination of Self-Reliance. What it has accomplished is a life that is slowly but steadily separating us from the grip of reliance on others. Some of it comes in the form of declaring independence from the consumer machine. The one that is designed to extract everything it possibly can from our bank accounts.  Some of it comes in the form of learning to develop many of the skills and attitudes of our ancestors. Things like understanding enough of how life works that we can know and practice the principles of self-reliance. We are developing a recognition of the system of "planned obsolescence" that permeates our culture and we can now largely avoid it. We are much less of a hostage to the food systems and enjoy a life of knowing that the bulk of our grocery shopping consists of a trip to the pantry rather than a trip to the grocery store. 

It's a slow but methodical process, that of building a more independent way of life. At the same time, it's the only way we've found that allows us to begin clawing back control over our life in a world that seems to be built specifically around stealing life from us. When you prepare to go to sleep tonight, allow yourself to consider the possibilities. Could you gravitate to a simpler life of self-sufficiency? If the thought of it sparks something inside you....... you're probably only one decision away from a whole new life path! 

Carry On

Adventure Quote: “Since the earliest days of our youth, we have been conditioned to accept that the direction of the herd, and authority anywhere — is always right.” ― Suzy Kassem

Resources

Make sure to visit our website regularly to see new products and resources.

YouTube Channel: The Campfire Trail

Our Books
Treasures of Life - Daily Devotionals by Shelley
Treasures of Life 2 - Daily Devotionals by Shelley
Treasures of Life 3 - Daily Devotionals by Shelley
Back to the Land - Planning your Back to the Land Roadmap by Martin
Wealth Creation - Principles of Wealth Creation by Martin

Please Consider Subscribing to our newsletter in the upper right corner of this page.
on No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)