I try to
be a student of human nature and I have found that homesteaders and
preppers have some things in common. One of the things they have in
common is the way they look at the world and what they do. We are going
to dive into the thought processes of the homesteader and prepper. I
hope you enjoy.
Internal Locus
I
have found that most homesteaders and preppers have what is called an
internal locus of control. This means that they believe they have the
greater amount of control in their success. They don't look around for
someone to fix their problems.
A person
with an internal locus tends to apply themselves to their problems, have
projects, and believe they should be able to enjoy the fruits of their
own labor. The thought process tends to go beyond that, they want to be
able to decide whom they will bless with their abundance. I want to be
able to choose to whom I will give extra zucchini.
One
reason I believe this is the case especially with homesteaders is
because of their closeness to the land. They want to teach others and
they take very little for granted.
We want to teach and share. We really want to empower people.
We Believe What We Do Matters.
This
one is the one that I believe gives us hope. There are so many people
that say and I guess believe that what they do doesn't matter.
Preppers
demonstrate this belief of what they do matters every time they add to
their food storage or increase their medical kit. With each new skill
they are proclaiming that what they do matters.
This
is just as much true for the homesteader and possibly even more so. The
act of planting seeds, working in animal husbandry. Is a hope for the
future. You don't plant a seed today and harvest tomorrow. You have to
believe in the future in order to plant.
Responsibility
There
are a lot of people that whenever something bad happens they just sit
down and wait on someone else to rescue them. The world isn't fair, but
if we want to make our world better, we have to do it. No one else is
going to. The powers that be are really not interested in helping the
individual. They are interested in advancing their power.
Are
there times when you have to accept help? Absolutely. The way a person
responds and acts after receiving help defines whether or not the person
believes they are responsible. When they have to accept help, they do
so with a thankful heart. Once a person has made it through a difficult
situation, they look around and try to make a plan to help ensure that
they will not be found in that situation in the future.
More Observant
I
have talked about situational awareness in the past. You cannot be a
prepper or homesteader and not be situationally aware. Noticing people
while out in public or the health of your plants is an absolute must. If
you are not paying attention in your garden, bad bugs can take over.
In permaculture there is a principle that states "Observe and interact".
We Take Action
There
are lots of people that will see something that is going on and will
not even try to do anything about it. You cannot be a prepper or
homesteader and not take actions.
Looking to Be Good Stewards of Our Resources
Many
people go through feast and famine cycles. This is especially true for
homesteaders. During the summer and fall there is an abundance. If a
homesteader doesn't learn to preserve that harvest, famine times will
come soon. We store as much of the abundance as possible because we know
winter is coming.
Preppers are extremely
similar. They put up supplies when things are going good in anticipation
of harder times. This is just smart. I am not talking about the end of
the world, just hard times.
Conculusion
If
you will think about it these behaviors set us apart from many. All of
these behaviors are good. We shouldn't look down our nose at someone who
has some of the same goals with different methods. What we do really
does matter and how we look at the world helps us achieve our goals.
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