A retired friend says she feels selfish staying at home watching her tv stories and sewing outfits for her dog, but that is what brings her happiness. She thinks she should go out and volunteer somewhere. I told her if she’s having that thought, go out and volunteer somewhere until she wants to stay home again to watch tv and sew her dog dresses. Then she can volunteer again if she feels she’s being useless, until she’s had enough of that. She’ll know when it’s time to change, because she will become dissatisfied with her life and she’ll begin thinking she should do something other than what she’s doing.

After watching two episodes of  Naked and Afraid last night, I went out into my west woods and created a lean to using my big tarp and slept outside all night. I made hot tea at the firepit and drank it watching the day break and the critters wake up.   I like reality shows to see how people act and react and relate during all kinds of conditions. I know I am a different person under different circumstances.  Put me in the midst of electronic and digital media and I can take charge and multi-task like a mofo.  If I was on one of those shows, I’d do some survivalist research ahead of time so I could be efficiently resourceful and I’d stay goal and consquence-oriented.  Collect wood for the fire while it’s still daylight so I’m not scrambling in the dark with my little self defence flashlight for home to find what I need. Build a fire before nightfall so I don’t get eaten alive by misquitoes trying to start it. Don’t drink the water without boiling it, so I don’t get sick from it. Research ways to boil water with no pan and no supplies. Those are the goals and consequences I’d make sure to stay mindful of. Have good footwear so an infected thorn doesn’t keep me down.  I think of stuff like that. I used to never consider consequences, but I’ve learned that lesson.   Continue reading →