A wise mechanic (and insane racer) once told me that if it seems too hard, you probably don’t have the right tool. Think smarter, not harder.
Are you guilty of this? I know I have been. My life experiences have gifted me with such sheer determination that I have pushed through and suffered in the past to achieve a goal. However, if I had implemented this one concept, I could have saved considerable time and effort.
Have you ever been freezing? Unable to feel your fingertips, shaking in the cold and wet? I have. Being an avid all weather sportbike rider and professional scuba diver, this is often the case in winter. In the past, fires could take quite a long time to get going. Gathering dry enough wood, finding or making a flame source. Going through your last tiny match and resorting to rubbing sticks together. Starter pine needles, leaves or kindling to get the fire started. Blowing endlessly to provide airflow for the flames. Getting kindling going only to have it smoke out and have to start again. Sure, you can and probably will get your fire going if you want it bad enough. However, what if there was a better way?
Right now I am sitting in front of a fire cuddled up with the dogs. It is a 2C outside. This fire is roaring. This fire is quite possible the easiest fire I have ever started in my life. I flicked a match and the flames rose up and the wood caught fire, burning to ember. Why? Preparation. There is a bin full of dried, chopped wood. Another bin contains balled up newspaper. There are fire starter sticks and long safety matches. Prepare your fire and it will light with ease and bring you warmth when you need it most.
Are you using the wrong tool for the job? Stop making your life harder than it needs to be. Pick the right tool for the job. Prepare what you need to light that fire in your life. Work smarter, not harder.
