It's The End Of The World And I Almost Forgot To Pack

We are a culture of believers. We always are wanting to believe everything we hear or see…like everything posted on the internet, we want to believe.We are a culture starving to buy into something bigger than ourselves.Things like luck, a new miracle weight loss product or a candidate who will actually bring us change we can believe in or that Black Friday actually gives you a sale worth three hour lines and potential fights of a waffle maker or flat screen.We’ve been told by marketers that too look beautiful we need “this” or we just gotta try “that.” Advertisers have told us “Believe in We” and "Just do it." We want to believe in something other than ourselves.

Each hour that goes by we get closer to December 21st, the end of the world according to the Mayan calendar. To many it’s a bunch of hogwash.To some it’s the sign of Armageddon. Like many, I haven’t thought twice about it, except for wanting to throw a “It’s the End of the World…and We Survived” party. But the other night I found myself bored, reading an article about the rise in teen and adolescent depression caused by the ongoing fear of the December dooms day scenario. As I read the article, and overheard a report on the television, I actually began to think about it. If this truly is going to happen – which it won’t – I want to be ready – which there’s nothing to be ready for, because it’s not going to happen – and if I want to be ready, I better pack some things.

For nearly thirty minutes I stuffed my pack with freeze dried meals I had left over from hikes, made my trail-mix and rolled up all my cold weather gear, sleeping pad, bag and two person tent in case I needed to quickly pick up and leave the city. Let’s face it, in all dooms day flicks, and alien picture-shows, NY is first to go, followed by LA and then other large cities. I want to be mobile and head for Hocking Hills or the Appalachian mountains – I’ve never heard of aliens destroying backcountry nowhere. Besides if I’m going to go down in this Armageddon I better be comfortable, not mention there’s nothing more romantic than sharing a two person tent, watching meteorites and fire falling from the sky as I find some random person to share just a short, magical minute with.

Regardless of what I believe will happen...I believed. For a moment I wanted to believe. Have you ever thought about how easily we buy into something? Why? We talk about being individuals, yet so easily cave to be like someone else, instead of being who we were created to be. It's my hope that what's left of my life for the next week (if the Mayans are correct) I will be who I am called to be and if nothing happens, at least from this point on, I'll be exactly who I was created to be. Either way, at least I'm packed and ready. Semper Paratus.

Until next time...