Free Life Blog

Desire for Travel and Adventure

I have a strong desire for travel and adventure. It eats at me and I must go. I have sat at home too much, looking at the same old things. I sit watching others who are out on Friday nights, or on vacation while I desire to go do something as well.

I am tired of never going anywhere. It gets old sitting at home when I could be checking out a new restaurant or some place I have never been. There is no one who laid in their deathbed and said “Boy, I sure wish I had spent more time at work.” No! They desire to have more time with family, and friends. More time doing the things they never did, growing in spirit.

I have decided I will travel and have adventures. I will no longer waste life, I will no longer be a failure. I will explore, live, grow and help others. I will know God, and see His creation. I will drive out fear. I will cast off all the things that drag me down, getting lighter and lighter, as I fly in life. Getting stronger and stronger. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

I will try new things. I will eat new foods, and listen to different music in exotic places. I will have fun. I will learn new hobbies and travel to do them. I will find people to go with me. People who desire to live, grow and be real. I will add spice to my life. I will not listen to the nay sayers who fear life.

What can I do to make this happen? I have a vision. I need to set goals and a means to make the vision real. I need to convince myself I can do this thing. I can do it. I have a vision. I know my spirit is right with God. I am setting goals. I will try one new thing each day. I will travel to see something new each week and eat at a new restaurant. I will check out local sites as I work to go further in my travels and adventures. I will research new things, new hobbies I might like, and new places to go see. I will place them on my list and do them.

I will educate myself and become an expert on my task. I will work to be healthy and physically able to enjoy what I desire to do as best as I possibly can. It does no good to travel a thousand miles by car, and train and plane and not be able to climb the steps to see the site. I will do what I can, and beyond.

I will start setting aside money every pay for my adventures and travel. I will throw my change into a jar because it adds up. I will have a yard sale, to clear out clutter from my house, as I also de-clutter my life. I can sell items online. I can cut costs in every aspect of my life. Do I need this? Do I need that? I can do without. I can wait a week longer. I don’t need that!! I will tell myself.

I can research bargains and sales for travel locations. I can travel with someone to split some costs. I can cut the cost of accommodations, by camping, crashing with friends or that Facebook friend I’ve never really met. I can sleep in my van in a parking lot, which is an adventure in itself.

I can get family involved to cut costs. I can start out with small, short adventures and build upon that. I can talk to travel agencies, and see what they can do. I can find travel groups to go places with.

Yes! I can do this, and I will. I am doing it, period. There is nothing stopping me that cannot be overcome. I need this for my health, and for my soul. It will help in my happiness, and give a good way to escape. It will give me something to work on, and look forward to. There really is no downside. Overcome fear, doubts and failure. I have a desire for travel and adventure. I will feed that desire. Go.

(Photographs: Chicago, Pittsburgh Skyline, Festival in Chicago, Giacometti Sculpture: The Walking Man at D.C.’s National Gallery of Art, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water)

Our First Love

I see folks on Facebook talking about praying to God to heal the land, and to stop the evil in the land, and to drive away pestilence and all of that. I’ve heard it for years. How exactly do you think God will do this? Are you really ready for it? Maybe the problem isn’t the things YOU think are the problem. Maybe those things are the symptoms. Maybe our love of money is the problem? We are like fish swimming in the love of money. It is everything we breathe, even if we don’t want to believe it.

When God brings a sinner to Himself, He often breaks the sinner. He has to get the sinner to let go of everything and turn to God only. That is how it works in real life, that is how it works in God’s Word. It works that way with individuals, and it works that way with nations. God does not see things the way we see them.

So, are you willing to be broken? Are you willing to be poor? Are you willing to suffer, and trust God? What if God allows our economy to be destroyed? Would you help the poor? If he makes you one of them? When Christ returns He judges the nations. He says nothing about abortion, racism, homosexuality, pornography, drugs, or any of the other things preachers whine about. He says…”What you did unto the least of these you did unto me….” He judges based upon whether we loved. Whether we helped the poor, the sick, the naked, the prisoner. THAT! is good stewardship. That! is what a good and faithful servant does. He acts as His master and let’s the sun shine on the just and the unjust. (Matt 25)

When God sent the people into Babylon, he does it because they were greedy and destroyed the land. They allowed no rest for the land or the people. Just money, money money. Greed. They did not trust God to take care of them while they let the land rest. They did not trust God. So, He put them in a situation where they had no choice but to trust Him. And the land rested. The debts were forgiven. All the wealth was taken away.

Are we really ready for God to help us? Are we really ready to realize that maybe the abortion we cry about is caused by our love of money? Are we willing to see that our children are handing our land over to the enemy because of our love of money? Are we willing to believe that our love of money, keeps us from being good stewards, and helping those around us? Are we willing to see that every industry and institution is corrupted by the love of money? Even His houses of worship makes decisions because of money.

Don’t be surprised when we are broken.
Don’t be surprised when we need wheel barrows of cash.
Don’t be surprised when we run to Egypt to sell all we have for some corn meal.
Don’t be surprised, when the cows of Bashan, walk around in filthy rags.
Don’t be surprised when we are sold into Babylon
Don’t be surprised when we must choose between Christ and a bite of food.

Do you really want God to heal us? Do you trust Him enough to let Him break us? Joy comes in the morning; when we remember our real first love.

Dead Beat Dad No More

It’s Father’s Day, and we must prepare for all the Facebook posts where single mothers call themselves, mom and dad. This attitude should be a perfect example of why Dad is not around any more.

Now, before you jump on me and say “It’s about the children!!” You must realize that I understand that, and so do millions of fathers who are labeled dead beat, because they do not live up to the mom’s expectations. But, we are not required to please the mother. That’s not our job. We are not required to obey her wishes when it comes to the children. They are not HER children. That is Golden Vagina Syndrome.

There’s a thing called Parental Alienation. It is where a parent intentionally keeps the children away from the other parent. The offending parent will give all kinds of justifications, such as protecting the child. But, the bottom line is that parental alienation is illegal and wrong. It is child abuse. If a parent is bad enough to keep the children away from another parent, then it should be easily provable in court. It should not be based upon the biased feelings of a disgruntled parent.

If a parent must go to court to fight to get their children then parental alienation is already occurring. The children are being abused. There is no excuse. Some claim that since they are not getting child support, they have the right. But, visitation and child support are 2 separate things. A parent cannot legally deny visits because of a lack of child support. It is child abuse. If you are helping a parent restrict visits with another parent, then you are supporting child abuse.

A parent should not have to put up with your mouth or abuse, or anything else in order to see their child. The old saying “He can come get them anytime he wants.” is a lie. He should not have to deal with you. The other parent should not have to submit to your games or efforts to control, or punishments, in order to have a relationship with the child.

If a child is sick, you take them to the doctor because their health is important. You take the child to school, because education is important. You take the child to the dentist, because teeth are important. You go to work and provide, because food and shelter, is important. But, when it comes to the other parent, you wanna say “They can come anytime….”. No. You should be providing for this as well. It matters to the child. You make sure the child has that relationship, without causing trouble.

Every family law case should begin at 50/50 custody, with no child support given. If the court says that it’s the “Best interests of the child” then, the child should be in the custody of the parent who can afford them without support. If you can’t support them you should not have them. You wanna talk about fair? Is it fair to steal income from the other parent, who could use that money to provide for the child and the future? How many families have lived in poverty for decades, because they could not build up wealth due to punishing child support? Those kids turn 18 and have nothing but two broke parents. 50/50 custody, no support, allows both parents the freedom to provide, and to provide for any future kids they might have separately.

This is not the old days, when a mother was dependent on a man. That has been proven untrue in today’s world. Women often have the ability to get good jobs while men scrape by. Maybe a woman who refuses to work, and provide for her kids, living on child support, should be labeled a dead beat mom?

The bottom line is that children need both parents. They need both extended families, and our culture needs to wake up to the fact. We need to start helping families to succeed. Children love both parents, no matter how bad the parent might be. Or how bad the other parent claims they are. Children want both parents, and ways should be made to make that happen, and to protect them from alienation.

It should not be said that a parent has abandoned the kids, or doesn’t want them, unless there is a paper signed in court stating as much. Until that day a parent should be considered a parent who wants their kids, but something is stopping it. Until the day they surrender rights, they should not be called a dead beat.

I and millions of fathers, who have had children stolen from us, are dead beats no more. And we never were.

Hiking in Southern Illinois

I love to hike. I have done it for beauty, exercise, for spiritual reasons, and for fun. There’s nothing like getting out in nature and letting go of what ails you. Southern Illinois has many great hiking trails that will suit your needs, no matter what you are seeking.

If you want short trails, that are good for kids, try Giant City Park, Pyramid Park, or Eldon Hazlet Park on Carlyle Lake. The Rend Lake Bike Trail is paved and is great for small kids, strollers, wheelchairs, as well as bicycles. It can be done in short chunks, or turned into a long trail.

If you want beauty, try the Little Grand Canyon or Rim Rock, with Pounds Hollow. And of course, there’s Giant City, Ferne Clyffe and Garden of the Gods, just to name a few. There are so many to choose from.

If you want distance with camping involved, then try the 10 mile trail at Pyramid Park, or the 12 mile trail at Giant City; both of which have a campsite at the halfway point.

There’s also Tunnel Hill trail, which is 45 miles long, and is also good for bicycles. It’s actually a bike trail, but I always wanted to hike it, and plan to someday. The premier trail in Southern Illinois is the 160 mile River to River Trail, which runs from the Ohio River to the Mississippi. I plan to hike it as well. There are many trails in Southern Illinois which use parts of the River to River Trail. I have hiked many sections of it.

If you like obscure trails that have less people, try the Cedar Lake Trails, south of Carbondale and Murphysboro. The Salt Lick trail near Valmeyer, or the Buttermilk trail near Route 3, that is along Lake Kincaid.

Southern Illinois has tons of trails. I have only touched the surface. Many of these trails are for hiking, and can also be for cycling and horseback riding. There is a great website I love to use to find trails called Alltrails.com. It has trails all over the world.

It’s that time of year. Well,, actually any time of year is a good time to hike. So, get out there and enjoy what our area has to offer. Be safe, take water, bug spray and a snack bar. Leave nature as you found it. And enjoy yourself. Maybe I’ll run into you out there

Jailhouse Religion

When I was locked up, I first heard this term. It was used to refer to someone who turns to God only when they are in the jailhouse. I’ve heard high class people use this term and I’ve heard inmates use it to slam other inmates. They would say things like, “Man, you only want God, when you go to jail.”

But, that’s when we are supposed to turn to God. When you have a headache, don’t you go to the medicine cabinet for an aspirin? Likewise, when you are at your worst, and you have hit the bottom, you know down deep that you need to turn to God. You need to seek spiritual change.

Of course, if we followed God every day we probably would not end up in jail. But, we don’t do that, and those “know it alls” aren’t perfect either. We fail. We fall. We need God.

God knows we will forget Him. He knows we will sin and fall and hit rock bottom. He is the one who created a rock bottom. That is why He made things hard in life. He did it so that we will remember Him and turn to Him.

When we ignore what’s right in this world we open doors to let bad things come upon us. And it just keeps coming till it breaks us and we call for God.

Don’t be discouraged. Don’t let anyone stop you from seeking God, when you feel Him calling you. Just ask Him to save you through Jesus Christ and let Him work. Trust Him. Even when we fail He is there working. All things work for our good, because we are called by Him and He is growing us.

Embrace your jailhouse religion, and keep growing it. God will find us anywhere. He can grow us anywhere. Do not let the Devil drag you down.

God Takes Care of Us

God Takes Care of Us

God has protected and taken care of me in so many ways in my life. I could write a book telling of all the things. Not only has He provided, but He has assured me of the promise of His provision. Often times, when I have encountered trouble in my life, I have been concerned about what was going to happen to me. In those times I turned to Him and asked Him, and He answered. I can tell you that His assurance is often more valuable than the actual provision. His assurance is His Word, which we believe by faith, and it is spirit. The provision is of this world. The assurance is eternal.

One time I was facing a very large bill, that would take years to pay off; and at the same time I was facing the loss of a job. I was confused and had no idea what I was going to do. I did not know what the future held.

I went to a local wooded area, which is what I do when I want to be alone with God. I lay down on the ground in the leaves. Then, I looked up at the sky through the canopy above; and prayed to the Lord, pouring out my concerns to Him.

After I finished praying, I noticed a squirrel sitting on a branch looking down at me. Then, the squirrel came right down out of the tree, and walked over to me with a purpose. He stopped and sat looking at me. I did not move or breathe. He sat so close I could have grabbed him if I wanted to. He just sat there chewing and looking at me. Then, he turned and walked away.

At that moment, it was impressed upon my spirit from the Lord, as if to say, “I take care of this squirrel, I feed the birds, I fed Elijah with the birds of the air, and the people with manna. I can take care of you.”

When these types of events occur, they break my heart wondering why I ever doubted God. He provides, and takes care of me in every way. He took care of me during this time as well. You must also realize that my life at this time was not perfect. I was not living well for God. Of course, I was trying to live right, and letting Him work. But, I was not a Mr. Goody Two Shoes, by any stretch of the imagination.

But, that’s the thing. It is Gods goodness that brings people to Him. The evil in our lives hurts us, and He wants us to turn to Him, to be cleansed, and saved and healed, and taken care of, so we can grow in Him. “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly.” God accepts you where you are, cleans you, saves you and works in your life to change you into what He created you to be. Do not let anything keep you from turning to God. Just do it. No matter how bad you are. Let Him remove what He wants to remove; when He wants to remove it. He is the Great Physician. He is the Carpenter. He is the Shepherd. He knows what He is doing. We don’t.

I remember another time, when I was facing trouble. It was one of many major problems in my life; and once again I was devastated and facing destruction. But, I turned and prayed to the Lord.

I was sitting in my truck. It was raining. It was one of those gloomy days that always seem to pop up when your life is a wreck. I started praying. And you must understand, when I pray alone, I just talk to God. It’s not some formal prayer. I just talk to Him. He wants us to have a relationship, and to be real with Him.

I was smoking, so I had the window cracked to let the smoke out. I was asking God, “What am I going to do?” When at that moment a rain drop landed right on the edge of the lowered window, and splashed me right in the eye.

It shocked me for a moment and an impression came upon me from the Lord. “As I control this rain drop, and guide it as I will. I can guide these problems toward or away. I can curse or bless, with the troubles or the rain.”

I was brokenhearted again, and asked Him to forgive me for all my sins during my life. In these times when He is near He brings me such peace and joy, and He fulfills what He speaks to me. I praised God; which is real praise and real worship. A spontaneous response to God, because you know Him, and He worships Himself through you, to give Himself Glory for His mighty deeds.

As I said, I have not always lived for God, and even today I sin. But, when I turned to Him and asked Him to save me He did, and He has been faithful. I no longer smoke, and many of the things that I did, such as drinking, sexual immorality, and violence; God has worked to remove those things from my life, and to heal me, and bless me, and guide me, as he sees fit.

We cannot cleanse ourselves. We must turn to Him, and let Him cleanse us and do the work in us. He will guide and help. First, turn to him and ask Him to save you, confessing Jesus as your Lord. Understand that if you feel led to ask to be saved, it is because God is calling you. He wants you. Normal people in normal life do not seek God for real. They only do it because God is calling them. Have faith and trust Him. Always turn to Him and let no one or nothing drive you away, or push you down or make you feel like God doesn’t want you. He is always ready. Just ask Him in Jesus name and watch Him work.

(Photograph is from a creek in the Shawnee National Forest, in Southern Illinois.)

The Diet of Primitive Peoples

Ancient people did not eat like we do at all.

I saw a meme on Facebook and it got me thinking. Here’s what the meme said: “Vegetarian is an Indian word for ‘Bad Hunter’” It’s funny, and it was meant to be a joke on vegans or vegetarians, but it also shows what some people believe about our ancestors.

I have eaten the Standard American Diet (SAD), and I have also gone Paleo, Vegetarian, and Vegan. My current diet is more of a Bible based diet. But, it’s based in reality of history and scripture, not in American ideas of what that is.

I am very interested in health, and fitness. I love spiritual things. I also am a survivalist. In my life all of these things are interconnected. So, this discussion about food actually works for my health and fitness ideology and my survival ideology, as well as my spirit.

But, enough about me; I just wanted the reader to know where I stand on the issue of a meat-based diet vs. a plant based diet, and how primitive peoples lived. Because you cannot claim to have a diet, spiritual, health or survival ideology based upon primitive peoples, if you forget to include the following:

     1. Primitive peoples did not eat like modern Americans eat. They did not gorge themselves on 3 square meals a day based upon what time of day it was. That method of eating came out of the fact that bosses have controlled when we are allowed to take a break, for generations. The food of primitive peoples also was not full of chemicals that can cause us to behave like we are addicted, destroy our health and slow our metabolism.

     2. Primitive peoples survived on far less food than what modern Americans consume. They often fasted for spiritual and health reasons. They also by necessity lived a feast or famine lifestyle. This means they ate when they had food, and they went without when food was scarce.

     3. The basis for their diets was what they grew or foraged. Native Americans grew corn, squash and beans. They made corn meal for bread, or gruel. They ate and gathered the plants around them while those plants were in season. They had a very solid plant based diet. Even the humans living as hunter/gatherers had huge plant based diets. They also had gardens. But, they were wild gardens. They knew exactly where to go to get the various foods they needed, even if they didn’t actually cultivate the garden. The entire world they lived in was their garden.

     4. Their view of hunting was very spiritual in nature. They cared for the animals and saw them as kindred spirits. They were not cruel, they only took what they needed and used all of it. They had primitive means of preservation of meat so their usage of meat was reduced because of this. They did not hunt animals and fill a freezer full of meat. They had a different view of hunting and using meat as food. They did not eat meat at every meal. Only modern Americans or Europeans eat meat at every meal. Primitive peoples, and the poor worldwide, do not eat like we do. It is stated that when the Europeans came to North America the forests were chocked full of game. They were not hunted out, because the natives did not over hunt. There are stories of the animals coming up to people, because they had no fear of man.

     5. The diets of primitive peoples were more of an 80/20 type of diet. They ate mostly plant based, supplemented with meat. Meat was not the center point. They did not raise animals for food, so meat was not as readily available unless it was hunted. And in ancient cultures the animals they raised was a form of wealth and provided other resources, like milk or wool. They were not wasted on eating meat at every sitting. The diet Americans consume would be compared to the diet of kings. Which has inherent health problems.

These are facts that need to be considered when the subject of survival or health and ancient peoples is looked at. They were not like us, in modern America. They trusted that God would provide for them. They ate as the seasons went, and as opportunity arose. This is why Europeans often considered them thieves. They took what they needed or what they felt led to take, when the opportunity arose.

Of course there are some possible exceptions to what has been said here. Such as the Inuit peoples who ate mostly meat and fish. I believe they still ate differently than modern peoples, in regards to amounts, and how often. They also had feast and famine, although they had less concern for meat going bad in frozen conditions. The Inuit peoples also remained healthy despite the fact that they ate mostly meat. They got vitamins from the sources they had available. They avoided many diseases like cancer and heart disease we suffer from, which I attribute to the man made oils, and chemicals we consume. There are other peoples who consumed strict diets. But, despite these exceptions, I think we can safely say that primitive people did not eat like we do today.

So, what can we draw from this? Well for me, it caused me to tweak my diet. I was vegan. And I still mostly am. But, the fact that primitive peoples and the Bible said that meat was alright to eat always raised questions in my mind. Plus, my survival views or plans included meat, although it was also largely plant based.

Basically, I started to practice a Bible based/primitive diet. I am mostly plant based. I try to eat organic everything, and would prefer local. I will eat meat; but, only on special occasions, like holidays, or if I go out to eat, or to a friend’s house. I do not force people to cater to my needs. Even at these times, my plate will lean heavily toward plant based. When I do eat meat I only eat the meat the Bible allows. I also try to eat organic when I consume meat which is hard. I avoid meats that I think are contaminated such as fish from the ocean.

When I eat breads, I try to eat unleavened bread; which is bread without yeast. Such as, wraps, tortillas, flat breads, pitas, naan, etc. That is biblical. I also try to get whole grains in any grain product I consume.

Fasting and eating only when hungry, is another thing that needs to be taken from this information. Fasting is good for health, it’s good for the spirit, and it’s good for a survivalist to have in their tool belt.

Ancient peoples did not eat as we eat. We must keep this in mind when we discuss our so called primitive diets, or our primitive survival skills. We have removed ourselves from what is natural and healthy. Much of our modern ailments can be linked to our diets, and our unhealthy unnatural lifestyles. I would encourage anyone reading this to change your diet, drink pure water, and fast regularly. It will heal you, and keep you healthy.

As time goes on we might discover that this COVID lockdown will lead to major dietary changes. It’s easier to make decisions to change early, rather than being forced to change later. There are things worth fighting for or against, but there are other things that are not.

Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ a collection of dystopian short stories.“The Future is Coming” and his latest book “The Latter Days‘ is a book on Bible Prophecy and avoiding the deceptions to come.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Read His Spiritual Writings on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Support the work for the cost of a Coffee

Support the work through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

Photograph of a primitive shelter near Pounds Hollow, Shawnee National Forest, Southern Illinois.

The Blessings of COVID

There have been many bad things that have come out of this COVID-19 shut down order. We all know what they are, and can imagine worse things to come.

But, I want to talk about the blessings.

It has given people the chance to see what is really important. It has given people the chance to spend more time with the ones they care about most. Perhaps, it has helped to save a family, or a marriage.

This could have caused people to seek God, and to have time to spend with their creator. It has allowed the natural world a chance to breathe and have a break from mankind for a while.

This shut down has caused businesses to become creative and innovate in order to survive. It has caused workers the chance to wake up and re-evaluate what matters, what their purpose is and where they want to go. It has shown bosses that workers matter.

We have been blessed to see that our system is very fragile, and needs to be strengthened. It has given people a chance to wake up to what could happen.

This shutdown has given kids a chance to be kids. It has caused them to learn to entertain themselves. It has kept them from the peer pressure, and the bullying. It has kept them from opinions they should not hear.

We now know we can do alright on our own. We can make it without getting together with others. We are strong.

It has given some people, such peace to not have to deal with the headaches of life. It has given others a chance to work on the things they love, and move their life in a better direction. It has given the slaves a break.

It has helped us to see what is essential and what is not essential. Being essential is relative; if we miss it or need it then it is essential to us. Not because some rulers say it’s essential, but because we ourselves say so. It has helped us to figure out how to be considered essential in the future; to be needed, to help others, and be valuable to the community.

We have learned that we can spend time alone with God, and worship Him, and hear is voice in our heart without the help of others. Getting away from others has helped us to escape many of the things, which have brought us down.

It has shown us that our freedom is essential, and that we can love others at the same time. It has helped us to see that it is not all about us. What we do, affects others.

Regardless, of what bad things the future holds. We have experienced good things, which will go with us. Those experiences will give us a different perspective of what we should do, and where we should be. It has prepared us for change, which will surely come.

I don’t think that we as individuals will ever go back to who we were before. We have grown. I don’t think our society will be the same either.

(Photograph is of an old train tunnel on a train track that has been turned into a trail. Tunnel Hill Trail, in the Shawnee National Forest of Southern Illinois.)

Hoarding in a Pandemic

The world as we know it has gone crazy. Everything has been touched. People are scared. They don’t know what to do, or what the future holds. The media speaks constantly of pandemic, and death. The numbers grow. We are told that we will be locked down 2 weeks, a month, a year! We see refrigerator trucks for holding the dead. We see cries for masks, and ventilators. There are famous people being stricken ill, and we wonder when we are next.

We go to the store where we always shop, and what we need is always there. But, this time it wasn’t. This time, even the most basic things are out, and people are fighting, and lying to get the simplest items. So, we think…”Maybe it will be there next time”. But, it’s not.

Neighbors are telling on each other and making people feel like a criminal for going outside to breathe. We are told to avoid the store and to only go when needed. But, they never have what we need, so we keep going, hoping they will finally have it.

Hoarding is an attempt to make sure we have what we need in times of desperation. It is an effort to avoid the discomfort, and fear associated with lack. It is actually a natural instinct of survival. Children hoard, when they live in a house where older siblings take all the good stuff, and leave them with none, or when they want a little treat for later. Dogs hoard, when they are in a pack and need to make sure they have something to eat. Squirrels hoard, to prepare for the freezing death of winter. And winter always comes. There are prisoners who hoard items, so that they are sure to have enough food to supplement the 1200 calorie diet, and to have items to trade for other things they need to survive. (Please note, I am not referring to extreme unnatural hoarding that is destructive to self, as it relates to any possible mental illness. I am referring to what is natural. Natural responses can become unhealthy and extreme. Maintain balance.)

In all these examples, there is an overwhelming power that causes a person to hoard. Death, discomfort, fear, and an assumed all powerful force that controls what we have and our ability to get what we need or think we need. Hoarding is a natural survival response.

For the individual, hoarding creates a level of comfort. It allows a person the ability to squash fear by reminding themselves that they have plenty of what they need sitting in a box at home, safe from anyone who seeks to take it; until it’s taken. Although hoarding is natural and can help people survive. It can also cause us to have trust in physical things and our own ability to gather those things. Material objects can be lost, stolen or destroyed. This leads to more panic, more hoarding and more desire, for more and more things to protect us, and insulate us. It’s a cycle.

Hoarding has good and bad costs to the individual, it can help them survive, and feel better. But, it causes them to trust in something that is transient.

What about society as a whole? The current pandemic and panic buying, which depleted shelves at our local store, shows us that large amounts of people are unprepared for emergencies. This can be due to poverty, or decision. It also shows that our system of stores, trucking and distributing is very fragile. To this date, weeks after the fear started, the stores are still out of many items. That is a failure in the system. But, it shows that people need to be hoarding items on a regular basis, and not trusting the system. It shows that people need to be more self sufficient and less trusting on the system.

Hoarding did not cause empty shelves. The lack of hoarding caused panic buying which led to empty shelves. Those people, who have what they need and are safe, do not panic. Once people feel that panic, and experience the lack of what they need, they will never let it happen again. They will hoard whatever they can from now on.

This will actually benefit society, because the next time there’s a pandemic, (Winter always comes) there will be far less panic buying because folks will be in the habit of always keeping extra on hand. Hoarding is a natural survival skill. Communities should practice hoarding by having a stock pile of needed items. The next time there’s a panic, the community will be ready to offset the lack that appears in the hoards of the individual.

Hoarding is like anything else, it can be selfish, or loving. A person who has a stockpile can help others. They can give it or even trade or sell it. They might even decide to keep it for themselves. But, if no one hoarded, there would just be a lot of people standing around hungry and dying. If we look at it in terms of the survival of humanity, hoarding allows some humans to survive. They might not be the best humans. They might be selfish. But, their kids might be better than they are. In the end, humans survive, which benefits society.

Hoarding in relation to disaster is about survival. It is about avoiding death, discomfort and a gnawing fear. It does not hurt the economy. It is not a picture of selfishness. It can and has saved lives. Individuals and communities, who hoard are better prepared for tough times, which always come. The only downside is that hoarding can lead to placing our trust in things that never last. But, when your belly is empty, that’s the furthest thing from your mind.

My First Blog Post

I don’t want to write a quote, but I cannot figure out how to turn it off.
— Oscar Wilde.

My First Blog Post

This will be my first blog post, as the title states. I wanted something that sets the stage for what follows. Something that will explain my goals, my desires and explain where I’m coming from.

The first thing I want to do is help people. This world is a dark place, and I want to overcome evil with good. I am going to be a light for others. That is what each of us should be trying to do in our lives. To live with God, and to be a breath of life for others.

This blog will be many things. I am a jack of all trades, and always have been. I simply cannot stay focused on one thing for long. However, I love learning and I enjoy sharing what I have learned. Even though I have had trouble with focus, there are certain things that consistently permeate my life. Spiritual things of all kinds have always been there. Even when it was the farthest thing from my active mind, it was there. The Outdoors, Travel, and Adventure of all kinds, are peppered throughout. I have also been dealing with Recovery from the things of my past. The addictions to substances, drink and negative things in life. God is healing me, and I’m interested in real health, Spiritual, Mental and Physical. Health that permeates all aspects of life.

This blog will often use my life experiences, as a tool to teach, help and encourage others. I am going to talk about my travels, as limited as they might be at this time, and my adventures. I am going to talk about my life events. I’m going to talk about my growth from being a failed, violent, alcoholic, ex-con to something better. I am going to talk about healing, spiritual things and liberty. I will speak about the issues that effect us all at times, and freedom lots of freedom. But overall, I want to be real. I want to climb higher and bring others with me.

I hope as you read my writing you’ll realize that I’m just a normal working guy. Anything I do, you can do also. I’m not a superstar. I’m not one of those million dollar people who don’t know what the average person deals with.

I have been in the darkest places of the mind and soul. I have done terrible things. I have failed. I have been hurt. I’ve gone through many of life’s worst issues. Just like you. God has led me through and has grown me. I have overcome through Him. That leads me to want to awaken and lift up others, so they can restore their broken lives, and thrive in this fallen world.

I want to encourage others to turn to God, and let Him save you, grow you and guide you to be who He created you to be. I am just a servant. I want to help you in your journey. Have a great day.

Read more from Chris