Backpacker Lesson For A Better World
As a backpacking guide (in the past), one of the foremost principles in keeping morale and a cohesive crew is putting your weakest hiker in the front. Not only does that allow them to set the pace, rather than struggle to keep up, but it helps motivate them, because when we lead, it’s human nature to want to do better for those who are following. It also gives those who are stronger a chance to motivate, because the more the forward person (the weakest) succeeds, the more everyone succeeds.
So why is it so hard to put this principle into practice in the rest of our lives? If we find the weakest among us and lift them up; put them in front, how much more will we all succeed? Instead, we (as a whole) tend to do the opposite. We want the homeless, mentally ill, and poor to disappear. Not disapear, as in help them out of their situation and decreasing the overall number struggling, but hide them. It’s equivalent to if I, as a backpacking leader, put the weakest in the back and had all the strongest run, in hopes we would get out of sight of the weak and lose them in the woods, that way we would all get ahead. We would all have more resources; more food and room in the tents and we would be able to travel farther distances, and see more scenery.
Obviously, when looking at the backpacking scenario it seems ridiculous to leave the weak behind. Their morale would plummet, they could get lost, start running out of food and water, panic, and make irrational decisions due to their desperate situation. So if we wouldn’t do it in that setting, why do we do it so often, and so intentionally as a society? Now, I’m not a perfect role model her;. I try to avoid eye contact with homeless sitting on the street or hope they don’t ask for money when I pass by. It’s one of my most guilty actions, because I feel as though I cannot help because, as far as my bank account goes, I don’t actually have a lot to give.
And up til now my mindset has been all wrong, because…
…I do HAVE. I’m not in fear of finding my next meal, I have access to health care, I have multiple jobs and future opportunities. I actually have the physical and mental capability to work. I have love from friends and family. All the things that are truly valuable, those I have in abundance and should never hesitate to spread to anyone in need.
Because when backpacking, it’s not giving the weakest a new pair of hiking boots, or a nice backpack that makes them succeed, it’s giving them the opportunity to succeed. And we all know deep down that money is not the most important thing to success in life. It’s having a community who loves and supports. It’s being given a chance, and having people believe in your success. It’s knowing that you are valuable.
