Seven Reasons Wny You Should "Rough It"

This piece really needs any introduction. The headline says it all. "Seven Reasons Why You Should Rough It," so let's not waste any more time.

Let's find out how "roughing it," can really make us happy, calm, and better human beings.

CAMPING IN A DANGEROUS WILDERNESS

can really put us back in touch with nature, each other, and ourselves. As a nation, Americans have become spoiled by the soft conditions of going on vacation. The plush hotels, restaurants, and never having any want at all. Actually, we are so dependent on these things that if we were hard-pressed to live like our pioneer forefathers, well, that ship has sailed. Camping in a dangerous wilderness can sharpen our senses, reflexes, and re-teach us how to survive without depending on anyone or anything.

DOING WITHOUT THE NECESSITIES

can and will help us in the event that the systems we have all become accustomed to having, electrical, transportation, communication, and other niceties, are shut down without warning, we can survive and grow as human beings. But before you try this one or any of my seven reasons why we should "rough it," do some homework and acquaint yourself with survival techniques and how to tackle the woods without food, water, and shelter. You might be surprised how you will conduct yourself knowing that you are without anything. No, you will not die. You will have an emergency cellphone only to use if needed.

"ROUGHING IT" CAN HELP FAMILIES

to bond back to where they belong. Right now when families hit the road for vacation, each family member has their own iPad, iPhone, or electronic gaming system to keep them occupied instead of enjoying each other. Before these electronic gimmicks came along, families had a great time with each other and they were closer because they knew each other better.

CAMPING OUT TO YOURSELF CAN HELP DEFEAT FEAR

that we have been taught to follow. Sure, some fear(s) are fine. We need some fear to help us learn, but when we are ruled by fear, we are not living. Camp with your family or with a best friend for a weekend and yes, keep that emergency cellphone with you, and just see how far you can get if you do not listen to the fear brought on by a howling dog in the distance. Or maybe that breaking of a tree branch late at night while you are finally getting to sleep. When you address your fear, and conquer it, you will gain more confidence. And confidence will be a great tool in school, work, and in other social situations.

THE OUTDOORS IS NOT YOUR ENEMY

so quit treating the gorgeous creation God made like it is out to get you. Learn to embrace the pine trees, running water, mountains and other beautiful things that we just let go by us. When you camp for a week or weekend, do NOT take a battery-operated television or radio, newspaper, or anything from home. Learn to find your way in the dark just by using your sense of hearing. You can also learn how to identify a dangerous animal from a harmless catfish. You see, the outdoors can be our buddy if we let it. And we can pass along what we have learned to the next generation, thus, helping to save our planet.

"ROUGHING IT" CAN BE FUN?

sure thing. Once you begin to relax and just be laid-back with your camping conditions and surroundings, you will learn to have lots of fun. Example: if you and your wife have kids, do not expect them to take to your newly-found way of thinking about "roughing it," so you might create a game to get them involved. Pretend you are a family or pioneers traveling from the East to the West in order to have a better life, but you are forced to camp overnight. That sets the stage for a great time building shelter from tree limbs and tall grass, finding a good water source, as well as learning how to make fishing equipment to catch your next meal. The list is endless. And very useful. If you make your "roughing it" experience fun, you will want to "rough it," more often.

CAMPING ALONE CAN HELP YOU PERSONALLY

by way of personal-meditation. Face it. Who can meditate in a big city full of cars, trucks, and trains making a million noises during each day of your life? Not anyone. Sometimes a person just needs to take some time off to be alone with themselves. And fuse this with "roughing it," and you have the best of both worlds. While you are making shelter, finding food and water, you can quietly meditate on whatever makes you peaceful. While you dine on nuts and berries you picked yourself for dinner, meditate on whatever you please. Even after dinner, and it is really dark due to no moonlight, you can get deeper and deeper into meditation inside your homemade shelter. In the morning, you will recognize how you have become calmer and more at-peace than when you left home.

When you master these seven ways to rough it, you can change the term, "roughing it," but "mastering it."

Let me know how it goes.