On Being in Debt

The economic systems of today rely upon credit. I'm no economist, but it's obvious that if all of us had to pay as we go, then our resulting economic systems would be unrecognizable compared to today. Expensive consumer goods, like cars and houses, would have to be purchased with cash. Business growth would slow to a crawl without outside financing. And governments would have no choice but to balance their budgets. It is precisely the billions of contracts and agreements between debtors and creditors that make our economic systems possible.

Debt is a powerful, powerful tool. With it, we can build cities and skyscrapers and businesses, on credit, and employ millions of people that produce goods and services to be sold to millions of other people, on credit. It's at the heart of our most predominant social structures. Can you imagine a society without debt? It would certainly not be anything like what we see today.

Interestingly, debt is also one of the very few areas in which we all agree, as a society, that one party may take the property of another. (I have found only two such social arrangement: debt and taxes.) In exchange for the enormous social benefits realized through debt, we have all agreed that creditors may rightfully take the property of debtors in case of delinquency, for such taking is for the greater good. (It is this "taking for the greater good" idea that is also at the heart of taxes.)

So debt is good for us all, right? With debt, we live a better life and are more able to raise a family and carry on as a species, right? But if debt is such a good idea, why don't we find it in Nature (for I've looked closely, and it's not to be found)? In Nature there is "giving" and "reciprocity" and perhaps "gratitude", which are sort of "debt-like", but I've not found "borrowing" and "owing" and "interest" and "collecting". And it should be there in Nature, shouldn't it? After all, debt is about acquiring "stuff", and all living creators require "stuff", right? Wouldn't the bird enjoy a nicer home? The squirrel, more nuts through Winter? Or is there a downside to debt that we overlook? A downside so enormous that it disrupts the very fabric of Nature and therefore cannot be part of Nature's design?

To find the downside, we need only look as far as the human spirit. Because while debt feeds the body, it also starves the spirit. By acquiring all the new things that we desire, we leave less room to appreciate what we already have. By having all of our physical needs met so easily, we leave less room to help each other in times of trouble. By being dependent upon our economy for our very sustenance, we lose our faith that Nature would also provide, if we gave her the chance. We become slaves to the social systems that we have created, and we feel vulnerable and helpless.

Maybe that's why debt is not part of Nature's design. Better to live simply and have faith that all the things needed by the body will be provided. So the bird builds her simple nest each year, and it is enough. And the squirrel gathers his nuts in Autumn, and it is enough. They enter into no contracts, and they are free. And they know that Nature is a good and fair partner. One that never charges interest.

Land Search Update

Have you ever wished for something, got your wish, then realized that what you had in the first place was actually better? Yeah, me too. I've done a lot of that throughout my life. Always wanting something better. More, more, more! You'd think I would have learned by now, but apparently the lessons are not over.

Last October, I started searching for a new place to live. It was an exciting and interesting process that took me in a lot of different directions. I met some new people and learned a lot along the way. I especially learned a lot about myself thanks to a few dear friends that helped guide me along, keeping me on track.

My search led me to a 70+ acre parcel of raw land, surrounded by hundreds of acres of more raw land. Exactly what I had wanted, right? Or was it. Wait a minute, why did I want to move again? What was I looking for exactly? This place was beautiful and wild and essentially untouched, but also very remote, and I would be very isolated. I would have very few visitors. I would be snowed in deep in the Winter. And I would have to "up my game" significantly. Four-wheel drive. A gun in case of bear. Water from the stream. And although the idea of living there was a little exciting, I mainly felt apprehension.

I'm going to visit that spot one more time, and wander more, and try to get a better feel for it. I won't make a final decision until I do that, but I sure did like getting back home to "civilization" after visiting that spot, and I'm having serious second thoughts on the whole matter.

Farewell Winter

It's the first week of March and there's still plenty of snow at my place. The cold, white hand of Winter still holds on. It was an impressive season. There were very few strong winds at my place, thankfully, but plenty of cold days, and lots of snow. My rain fly took a lot of punishment and will have to finally be replaced before next Winter. She's served me well and will get me through Autumn, but she will not survive another Winter, especially another Winter like this one.

I underestimated the amount of firewood I would need to get me through this Winter...twice. And for the third time I am down to only a few days supply, but this time I won't resupply. Part of me wants one, last cold night before Spring. I want to feel it all and remember it well. This has been a strong, wonderful Winter. One to be respected. And so I bid you farewell, Winter! Until next year.