Questions We All Need to Ask Ourselves

How do you carve out a life characterized by independence, choice, and freedom?

How can you stand firm in the face of pressures, whether from your boss, company, governmental bodies, popular opinion, or other entities attempting to shape your choices?

Illusion and Coercion

Living beyond your means is a trap. Houses too big, car payments too hefty, credit card balances and student loans. Society seems to give a nod to this never-ending cycle of debt, even rewarding us with better credit scores. But at what cost? Being in debt up to your neck is not helping your mental health or resiliency and keeps you reliant and dependent. Remember, the borrower is slave of the lender, a situation that financial institutions are all too eager to maintain.

Saddled With Debt and Reliant on Others

We witnessed during the pandemic that people had to choose between their jobs or taking a shot they didn’t want. A lot of people gave in and took that shot because they weren’t in a position to tell their employer to kick rocks. Or, on a less consequential level, how many people hate their jobs but stick them out for years because they aren’t in a position to leave?

Have you heard about China's "social credit score?” It's a system where your rights and freedoms get tied to your behavior, as defined by the authorities. While it might sound dystopian and far-off, it’s a warning to us all. A social credit score system penalizes individuals who don't conform to a prescribed behavior or narrative, imposing restrictions that can limit mobility and financial freedom. A harsh reality currently experienced by many in China.

In the American context, this might not straightforwardly be labeled a "social credit score." Instead, it could silently evolve, spearheaded by credit monitoring firms gradually expanding their data collection parameters, which would surely be pitched as a beneficial development designed for our good. Are you in a position to refuse?

How do we increase our autonomy and resiliency?

Eliminating debt and increasing my self-sufficiency has guided my decisions for almost ten years. Still, it was never more apparent to me that I was on the right path than after the COVID debacle in this country. Goods and services became exceedingly expensive, and people were coerced and forced to comply with rules and regulations by non-elected officials or companies they worked for - all while being pressured by the useful idiots influencing popular opinion.

My goal has been straightforward: Achieve freedom by eradicating debt and promoting self-sufficiency. For my family, this translates into owning land, producing our own food, and generating our own power. While achieving 100% self-sufficiency is a journey, even growing or raising a small portion of our food is a step in the right direction. Even if you have no plans to provide your own food, you can still reduce your reliance on systems and have backups if they fail (being prepared is something we will dive into heavily in future posts). If your aim is not complete self-sufficiency, reducing dependence on volatile systems is still a solid plan. For instance, I actively work towards minimizing my interaction with our broken medical system by focusing on a healthy diet and regular exercise.

True Freedom

A timeless principle is true freedom comes not just from financial independence but also from a sense of personal integrity and the ability to think and act according to one's convictions rather than being influenced by external pressures.

1. Financial Independence: Being debt-free is liberating. When you're not tethered to financial obligations, you're less susceptible to manipulation based on monetary incentives or threats. It allows you to make decisions based on what you believe is right rather than what is financially expedient.

2. Skillset: Having a valuable skillset can give you confidence in your ability to make a living in a variety of situations. If you're not reliant on a specific job or employer, you have more freedom to speak your mind without fear of repercussions.

3. Self-Sufficiency: Being able to rely on oneself, whether that means growing your own food, fixing your own home, or having a diverse set of skills, means you're not as dependent on systems or institutions that might try to control or influence you.

4. Moral Courage: While the above points can make it easier to stand up to external pressures, the real foundation of such resistance is moral courage – the will to act rightly even when faced with widespread opposition or personal risk.

It's worth noting that even those who have achieved these forms of independence can still face significant social and cultural pressures. It's difficult to stand against the tide of popular opinion or challenge powerful entities. However, the combination of financial independence, skills, and self-sufficiency can provide a cushion against potential backlash. You don’t have to be that person who keeps their head down and just goes along with the group – you can stand up and say this isn’t right, and I’m not doing it.

We can only lose our freedom and our country if we are willing to look the other way, put our heads down, and go along. As more people head towards being super consumers placated by mindless entertainment – I’m going in the opposite direction and moving towards creating true freedom.

So, here’s my call to action: Stay vigilant. Reduce your debts, ramp up your self-reliance, and fortify your mind and body.

Thanks for taking an interest in ReWild America, and I look forward to building strength and resiliency with you.