
Its interesting to learn random things on YouTube. One of the things that I have been watching are videos of people making Bushcraft structures.
If you don’t know these are structures to live made with the materials available in nature. They can be very creative and usually require only a minimum number of tools. Usually a saw, hammer and some nails and not always that.
To me I find it creative and interesting what can be done. I wouldn’t have thought of some of the structures and my assumptions are often challenged with the materials, location and their building philosophy.
Practically speaking I will probably never use the skills I am learning. The only reason that I would need to use them is if the world broke down with civilization and I had to work with a team to survive after mass destruction. Great way to start a Monday right? However it is the second part where I am going to pivot.
I also then was suggested watching videos from people in Afghanistan and Iran who live in caves. Since bushcraft is often done in caves and other areas. What I saw is that for some people, what is a weekend hobby for relaxation is how they survive. I saw them living in structures that I thought were bushcraft and were barely fit for a family to live in.
Then I realized that for many people living in these kind of barely adequate structures is their way of life. I knew and saw poverty in the past, but I guess I didn’t realize the scale until you watch videos of large numbers of people living in that way. It always disturbs me why we can be so cruel and heartless to those who haven’t been given an economic opportunity. We all need to help each other.
I wish that people would realize we are a human family and that it doesn’t help any of us, to allow any of us to be hurt. Pain and division are easy, but healing and courage require us all to step up.