As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday here in the U. S. there are lots of things that come to mind. Fall leaf colors, family, turkey, football, and over eating are just a few. While this can be a great holiday for time with family and friends, we can look back at its origins for inspiration.
The first Thanksgiving was a celebration of survival. The Pilgrims had survived the voyage to the colony and the harsh winter that followed. Of the 102 that sat sail on the Mayflower, only 53 still survived at this point. They had managed to collect enough food to survive the coming second winter. This is a feat when you know that most of the Pilgrims were not farmers or woodsmen. Many came from the cities of England and carried with them more household goods than survival gear. In fact one passenger is listed to have had 126 pairs of shoes in his luggage. While these were probably items to be sold or traded, there surely would have been many better items to bring. Part of the central issue is that few of them knew what to expect. They came from a specialized society dependent on having a wide range of different vocations to complete certain tasks. It is true that a tailor might be able to erect a palisade wall just fine, but by no means would he be as efficient as someone with experience. So starting from nothing to build homes, erect fortifications, and secure food was not something they had experienced before.
Most people today are at a very similar disadvantage. We specialize for the most part in a limited field. It is the way our society works. No one can know everything. We do have many advantages though. We have access to unprecedented amounts of information with almost no effort. If studying about something is not good enough, many places offer classes in survival training from first aid to total off the grid living.
So as you do whatever you prefer on Thanksgiving, remember where the holiday originated. Remember that despite the lack of planning and the hardships they endured, there were individuals that were determined to survive. Also, remember that even the most basic planning and provisioning can make sure you never end up in the same situation. That will be a reason to celebrate in itself.
