Hello my friend and welcome back! Most people’s morale varies from day to day and in some cases, hour by hour depending on what’s going on in their life. Just how important is morale in a post SHTF world and why? This is the topic of today’s post so grab a cup of coffee my friend and have a seat while we visit.
Let’s start with how Webster’s Dictionary defines Morale:
Definition of morale
- 2a : the mental and emotional condition (as of enthusiasm, confidence, or loyalty) of an individual or group with regard to the function or tasks at hand The team’s morale is high.b : a sense of common purpose with respect to a group : esprit de corps The ship’s morale improved after two days of shore leave.
- 3 : the level of individual psychological well-being based on such factors as a sense of purpose and confidence in the future The failure of his play did not affect his morale.
Personally, I like definition number 3, because I think it best describes morale, as it would relate to a post SHTF world. This is important, and in fact, far more important than most people realize. A good morale will be critical to your survival whether you realize it or not.
Just imagine that it has all hit the fan, and you’re forced to hunker down with your Preps and wait out the walking dead looking for food, as well as roving gangs and possibly even your own Government. Knowing what lies ahead and that you will in all probability, be forced to take human lives in order to survive would be enough to crush anyone morale. Constantly living in fear of losing your life is enough in itself to get anyone down.
It’s not just a matter of hoping things will get better, you have to believe it. You have to believe in yourself and those around you. You have to know deep down inside yourself that you will survive and hold on to that faith.. To do this, you must first have a purpose and a burning desire to fulfill that purpose no matter what. This purpose will be different for each person. Your purpose could be to see that you and the people in your group survive, or it could be to reach your children who are away from home and make sure they stay safe.
If you have any hope of surviving in a post SHTF world, you must have a purpose to guide you and your actions. You have to believe in your heart of hearts that you will succeed in fulfilling that purpose no matter what. It’s that burning desire that will help you survive things you never thought you could. You can come through anything if you only believe. One of my favorite saying is “The anchor hold and the storms will subside.” I’m not sure just who said it but I know there are references to it in the Bible. It means that if you hold to your faith no matter what, you will survive the storm. As simple as that little saying is, it’s very profound if you think about it.
Oh, sure there will be times when you will feel sad, like when you see people starving or dying from disease. No one could look upon that and not be saddened. In fact, if it doesn’t, then you have a major problem. You can’t let living in a post SHTF world get you down. You need to find joy in the little places you can, like watching children play and laugh. Seek out places and things that make you happy and hold on to it as long as you can.
So what can you do to help keep you and your group’s morale up? To answer this, just take a look back in time when there were no computer or phones and see how they lived. Things you can do, are to play games of some type during your down time and make winning a sport. Play football, basketball, baseball, or even soccer if weather allows. Don’t let it create bitter rivalries, but rather use it to build teamwork and just have fun doing it.
Other things you could do is pack instant pudding and things that could be used as special treats to lift you spirits from time to time. Play music and dance at least once a week when you can. Another great thing people used to do, was to gather around the radio and listen as a family or group. You would be surprised at what you can learn when you do. Make up stories and tell them around the campfire at night. Make toys that young children can use to entertain themselves. You will just have to take my word on this one, but you need to have plenty of pens and paper as well as art supplies in your preps.
In Afghanistan during the war, many soldiers spent their down time drawing pictures of what they had seen or writing about it. Some wrote songs and played the guitar while others beat on empty five gallon buckets along with the music. You would be amazed how comforting it can be to just create something in the middle of destruction. It helps keep one’s feeling balanced and improves their morale in the worst of situations. Maybe you’re like me and have no artistic talent, but don’t let that stop you, I never have.
It all comes down to this, When you are preparing to survive in a post SHTF world, remember to have things in your preps that serve no other use but to have fun and raise people’s spirits. Keeping morale high with you and your group should be a major priority and needs to be prepared for. In the end you will not only be happier for it, but you will increase your chances of survival a hundred fold.
Well that’s it for today’s post, and I hope you have enjoyed reading it. Until next time my friend, stay safe, stay strong, and stay prepared. God Bless America!
-Sarge-
As my mother always said, if life hands you a lemon, make lemon aid.