I have always been fascinated by the pioneers. I have admired their spirit and determination. I have marveled at their courage and persistence. And at times, I have even envied their adventure.
The western migration is one of the great stories of American history. From the time that Lewis and Clark first broke trail until the joining of the rails, more than half a million emigrants moved West - leaving what they knew, leaving home and often loved ones to make a new life in a new land.They went for numerous reasons, not the least of which was to find peace and religious freedom.
Some 150 years may have passed since the first covered wagons pulled out of Nauvoo. But there is still a lot we can learn from the pioneers.
1. Life has risks. Setting off into the unknown was a risky proposition for the pioneers. And while we may not have to deal with risk on that scale, everyone must deal with change, with taking chances, with venturing into unknown situations at one time or another.
Dealing with change is not easy; we are comfortable with the status quo. But life - and growth - is about change. So, how to deal with it?
For one thing, experts say a person's self-concept and self-esteem are related to how he or she deals with change. Those who know that they have certain talents and abilities will be confident in their abilities to deal with new situations.
And, says Charles Swindoll, author of "Abraham: A Model of Pioneer Faith," don't discount the power of faith in helping a person move into unfamiliar territory. "When God called him to leave his country, `he went out, not knowing where he was going.' . . . They left promptly and willingly, convinced that God's direction for them was in their best interests." Faith is an inherent component of dealing with major changes - you have to believe you are doing the right thing, that everything will work out.
2. Don't go blindly . . . The pioneers who ran into the most trouble were those who left unprepared, who took untried cutoffs, who tried to take too much or too little. Granted, they didn't always have a lot of information to work with. And some they had was less than reliable. But before the Mormons set off to the Salt Lake Valley, leaders studied everything they could find and talked to anyone they could so they were somewhat prepared for the journey.
Today, we can all benefit from being as prepared as possible, whether setting out on a long journey or just a short trip to the store: Plan ahead. Set goals. Read guidebooks. Learn from experts. Make lists. Know what you want. Study your options. Read labels. Compare. Be flexible. Organize. Travel light.
3. Within the circle of light . . . Back before there was electricity or television, families spent their evenings living within the circle of light cast by the kerosene lamp on the kitchen table. There's something to be said for a return, if not to that reality, at least to that notion.
For example, recent studies have shown that families that eat dinner to-gether are more likely to be happy, productive families. A Roper poll found that teens who ate dinner with their families on a regular basis said they felt a direct correlation between that activity and feelings of satisfaction and personal well-being. Those who shared a family meal were twice as likely to spend their time studying or working at a part-time job. Those who didn't share the family meal were four times as likely to engage in sexual activity.
Dinner discussions can teach children how to take turns, help them hone their social skills. Children can learn how the world works and how parents feel about different issues. Table talk can teach about language and literacy.
And after the meal, you can use the dinner table for a variety of other family-building activities: playing games, reading, working on scrapbooks and journals, hobbies and crafts.
4. Live resourcefully. Remember the old pioneer motto: Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without? It's still good advice. The pioneers had to make everything count; there was little room for waste. They relied on talents and abilities to utilize their resources to the fullest.
In our modern world, it's easy to think of money as our only resource and forget that there are numerous other resources that should be considered - including family, time, community, creativity and more.
Live more resourcefully by:
- Planning. Ask yourself: What are my needs? How can they be best met with the resources I have?
- Substituting. What could I substitute that would do the job for less? How can I substitute one resource for another?
- Conserving. How can I make the resource last? How can I use it more efficiently?
- Experimenting. What talents, time or other resources do we have as a family that we could use in a new, more productive manner?
- Sharing. How can we enhance our personal or family resources through community resources?
5. Work smarter not harder. When the pioneers needed water for crops, they decided to let gravity do the most work and devised an extensive plan for irrigation. That's just one example of pioneer ingenuity.
You may not need to do things on that scale. But there are simple ways to "plan your work and work your plan" that will increase efficiency and productivity. For example:
- Worry first about being effective, then about being efficient. (Being efficient means doing the job right, but being effective means doing the right job. Once you are sure you're doing the right job, then look for ways to streamline it.)
- Don't try to manage what you can't: the weather, other people, uncontrollable interruptions.
- Remember that being a perfectionist is often a waste of time. Don't do anything better than it has to be done (but remember that some things must be done better than others).
- Learn to say no. Then suggest an alternative so you won't feel guilty.
- Plan to do things that require creativity and energy in the morning when you are fresh, and save afternoon for more routine tasks.
6. Eat your roughage . . . The pioneer diet fits in quite well with modern guidelines. It was largely grain-based, heavy on the fruits and vegetables. Meats were a source of protein but were used sparingly - often stretched out in soups and stews.
Today's USDA Food Pyramid, of course, recommends six to 11 servings of breads, cereals and other grains each day. And the five-a-day program encourages people to eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
Scientists are finding new benefits all the time for this kind of diet. Research over the last decade, for example, has shown a lower rate of cancer of the lung, esophagus, colon, head and neck in populations that eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, especially ones that are high in carotenoids - such as tomatoes, carrots, summer squash, kale, spinach, broccoli and green beans. One theory is that the antioxidants of the carotenoids may protect DNA and other cell components from danger.
Another value fruits, vegetables and grains offer is fiber - what the pioneers called roughage. Research is showing that diets high in fiber can reduce symptoms of chronic constipation, diverticular disease and may decrease the risks of colon cancer. New studies are looking at the connections between high fiber and reducing risk for heart disease.
7. Some must push and some must pull. Some of the mountain men did it alone, but for the majority of folks, pioneering was a community effort. Cooperating with others was - and is - a way to stretch resources and benefit others. Look for ways to share, whether it's food, recipes, ideas or talents. Sharing usually means that everyone gains something. Organize food or child care or transportation co-ops and car pools.
And look for ways to give back to the community. Even small ways can help. Every other week, save half your lunch money and donate it to a charity. Every time you buy a baby gift, buy an extra item and donate it to a teen pregnancy agency. Like to talk on the phone? Volunteer 20 minutes of your lunch hour each week to call someone who is living alone, ill or injured. Your local community ser-vice agency can put you in touch with someone who needs an extra boost. Love to read? Contact your local library about adult literacy programs. Every time you see a "buy one, get one free" special at the grocery store, pick up the extra items and donate them to your local food bank. Get involved with neighborhood issues.
As Margaret Mead said: "Never doubt that a small group of thought-ful citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
8. Respect the land. The pioneers set out to push back the frontier, to tame the wilderness, to make the desert "blossom as a rose." But underlying it all was a deep respect for the land. They knew they were planning for generations to come, and this was reflected in the way they laid out cities, established colonies and used their resources.
Water was an especially precious commodity - and it still is. We may not have to haul water for miles, but we shouldn't take it for granted, either. Did you know that when you let water run, five gallons a minute pour down the drain? A twist here, a turn off there can all add up.
Start by turning off the tap in the bathroom when you shave or brush your teeth and in the kitchen when you clean fruits and vegetables. Put a pitcher of water in the refrigerator so you won't have to run the tap every time you want a drink. Repair leaky faucets and replace water-guzzling fixtures. Water your lawn before 10 a.m. and never when it's windy.
Other ways you can show respect for the land and the environment: Use less stuff. Look for ways to cut back. Consider your garbage. Did you know that 10 percent of all household waste is once-edible food? Try to be more realistic about buying what you can use and using what you buy. Look for environmentally friendly cleaning products - consider the cleaning power of old-fashioned products such as vinegar and baking soda. (You can make a great window cleaner by mixing 3 tablespoons corn starch with 1/2 cup water. There will be a film at first, but as you rub it - old newspaper works well - the glass will sparkle and shine.)
9. But with joy, wend your way. Crossing the plains was hard work, but the pioneers still found time to sing, to dance, to smell the flowers and to appreciate the scenery.
Sometimes in striving to achieve, we focus so much on what we want to make better that we lose sight of what is already good in our lives. Sometimes we get caught up in our fears and we forget our dreams. Sometimes we have a hard time balancing family responsibilities with the demands of a busy life. Sometimes we get so involved with the details, we forget to look at the big picture. Sometimes we get so caught up in the destination that we forget to enjoy the journey.
10. All is well . . . And at the end, what will we look back on? Perhaps we should remember pioneer-era essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson's formula for success: "How do you measure success? To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people, and the affection of children. To earn the appreciation of honest critics, and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better . . . whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, a redeemed social condition, or a job well done. To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."