I often consider how adaptable we are as human beings. I remember that last time our power went out and the temperature outside was 11 degrees.
Fortunately, we had a wood stove that kept the temperature in parts of the house at about 60 degrees, and because we had solar panels, our refrigerator, freezer and some light switches continued to function. This experience brought a few thoughts to mind. One, we live in a world dominated by conveniences that constantly serve our needs. Second, when we find ourselves without those conveniences, we become inventive, and often lifelong memories are created.
As a species, we are highly adaptable, and when the going gets tough, we tend to rise to the occasion. Case in point: when I realized I would soon run out of hot water, I immediately put a large pot of water on top of the wood stove. This may not seem very inventive, but what I noticed is that I never gave it a second thought. I just instinctively did it. My husband was already piling extra wood by the stove so we could keep the temperature in the house consistent. I began to think about ways I could cook dinner with only my gas burners working or what we could make on the wood-fired oven outdoors. These alternatives to our usual routines just came to us naturally.
Consider what you would do to keep the home fires burning if your modern conveniences were unavailable. How long has it been since you lost electricity and had to be more inventive in dealing with your daily life? Have you forgotten what it’s like to be without a computer or a television or some other electronic devise for a few hours or days? Have you gone without your car for a day or two, or had to rely on your fireplace or wood stove to heat your home? When was the last time you had to walk home because your car broke down? I’m not suggesting that you create some problem to test how adaptable you can be, but I am asking you to consider what you would do if something did occur that forced you to give up some of your conveniences.
When I was a child, we lived in places with extreme weather. During a bad winter storm, we would camp out by the living room fireplace with our sleeping bags and pillows, huddled together to stay warm, telling stories by the firelight. Sometimes in the summer, it was so hot at night that it was impossible to sleep upstairs, and we would bunk out on the porch. These childhood memories are some of my most vivid. What many adults consider to be major inconveniences, children often see as grand adventures.
The next time the storm hits and you experience the loss of convenience, try seeing it through a child’s eyes; instead of it being bothersome, think of it as an adventure. Get creative, and you might find it creates a memory you will never forget.
Kathleen