Before American education was dumbed down to little more than indoctrination programs for brainwashing kids into believing that everything is “racist” and “sexist,” most high school curricula included an introduction to Joseph Campbell’s conception of the “Hero’s Journey.” Having deconstructed mythologies, folktales, and religious parables across cultures, Campbell diagramed common themes present in their structure. In seventeen stages that appear in various forms from one story to the next, every hero’s journey includes:
- a departure from the comforts of home
- trials and heartache that lead to self-discovery and triumph
- a new enlightenment that can be used to help others upon return
We humans are not inclined to recognize a real hero unless that person has endured tremendous hardship and suffering. Gavin Newsom, for example, does not strike anybody as heroic. The nephew of Nancy Pelosi was born with so many profitable political connections that his journey from San Francisco mayor to California’s lieutenant governor, governor, and now presidential wannabe surprises no one. As an heir to a powerful political dynasty, Newsom has gone down a familiar path soaked in noble privilege and devoid of heroic sacrifice.
In contrast, there is a simple reason why President Trump’s popularity continues only to grow, even while Deep State praetorians seek his downfall and imprisonment: his venture into politics has been the “Hero’s Journey” incarnate. Every blow he suffers, indignity he endures, and enemy he sinks provides further proof that he is a man vested with uncommon courage.
If Joseph Campbell’s comparative mythology is correct, we humans are instinctually drawn toward leaders who are mercilessly beaten to near death yet somehow find the strength to rise again. Some might see supernatural abilities within Donald Trump; others might even wonder whether a higher power protects him on his path. What is certain, however, is this: in its relentless pursuit of his destruction, D.C.’s permanent ruling class has transformed President Trump into something greater than he was before his journey began.
Jim Caviezel is another hero who leaps to mind. A talented actor who achieved notable success with his early performances in film, he risked his career to portray Jesus in Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ. In a town hostile to religious conviction, Hollywood responded by more or less blacklisting Caviezel from acting roles for the next two decades.
At any time during these personal trials, Caviezel could have caved to the entertainment industry and renounced his spiritual faith. He almost certainly knew that a single public statement denouncing Mel Gibson, his film, or Christians generally would have been rewarded with readmission back inside Club Hollywood’s lucrative gates. Instead, he chose to endure any professional hardships with quiet determination, to spread the Gospel’s truth to young audiences everywhere, and to trudge forward with a head held high despite personal sacrifice. He may not have known that he was being watched by millions who wondered whether he would crack. Yet he demonstrated the inherent nobility of stoic manliness because his character proved resilient.
Hollywood has done a lot to bury both Caviezel and Gibson and to prevent them from reaching audiences with their work. Ironically, their perseverance has drawn audiences closer. Instead of seeking the safety of what is easy and familiar, both men have sought only more difficult trials through the years. What trials have they recently chosen to confront? The evils of human enslavement and sex-trafficking — a nightmarish underworld reality that our incurious press and complicit politicians all too frequently cover up.
Caviezel, director Alejandro Monteverde, a talented supporting cast, and a heroic film crew have worked together to bring to the big screen the story of Tim Ballard’s selfless efforts to rescue hundreds of children from sex-traffickers around the world. While FOX and Disney had kept Caviezel’s film locked away and unseen for years, another hero — this time Goya Foods CEO Bob Unanue — helped fund the endeavor to acquire the movie’s rights from Disney and put the work in the hands of the aptly named Angel Studios.
The result has been the runaway hit Sound of Freedom, a film whose significance has resonated with audiences everywhere — in spite of the deliberate actions of powerful entertainment companies to prevent the power of its truth from reaching the light of day.
Gibson, too, has a personal connection to Tim Ballard and his mission to save children. Gibson’s private support of a number of orphans in Ukraine led him to contact Ballard for his aid in protecting those children from human-traffickers. From Gibson’s “valuable intelligence,” Ballard organized a team that has been “successful in beginning the process of dismantling a dangerous international pedophile ring.” Gibson also provided Ballard with assistance in documenting this real-life human slavery in a way that will enable people to understand the pervasive evil targeting children across the planet.
The monumentally important rescue operations of Tim Ballard have been kept quiet until relatively recently; then, with the help of two actors whom Hollywood has cast aside, a larger audience than could have been imagined now understands what is at stake in this existential battle between good and evil. In their own way, Ballard, Caviezel, and Gibson have suffered yet persevered, and in their own victories over evil, they have brought a new enlightenment that helps us all understand what lurks in the shadows. Their lives reflect the “Hero’s Journey.”
Let me ask you this: if we are on a journey to defend personal freedom from government tyranny, then should we expect fewer struggles than those faced by the heroes above? Real heroes are not handed success in the way that success has been handed to Gavin Newsom. The story of America’s independence would be a lot less meaningful if the British Empire had quickly folded and given in to all of the patriots’ demands. It was the hard years of conflict, sacrifice, and suffering that made America’s eventual triumph sweet.
“Freedom isn’t free,” we often say. What we mean is that we understand how much our ancestors gave, so that we could live with liberty. The story of America’s birth appeals to people all over the world because it, too, echoes Joseph Campbell’s immortalization of the hero.
I know that quite a few of you are heroes. I try not to embarrass anyone by naming names, but I read your comments and see who you are. Many of you fought for your country on foreign battlefields or are the parents and grandparents of those who have. Many of you have served in law enforcement, taught at schools, and tended to the sick. Many of you have been builders, farmers, and doers — in every sense of that word. You come from all walks of life and from every stretch of this country — from up in Madawaska, Maine down to San Diego. I read your words; I learn things; and I often smile. I smile because I know that you are the kind of people who know that there is something terribly amiss in our nation today and that you are actively working out just what to do next. You might not see it yet, but I see the beginning of the “Hero’s Journey.”
In a country of over three hundred million, imagine what could be accomplished if a hundred thousand answered the hero’s calling, too.
The seventeenth and final stage of Campbell’s “Journey” is the “freedom to live.” It comes when a hero no longer fears what has happened in the past or what might happen in the future. When you accept that bad times might come but that you will persevere regardless, you become “champion of things becoming.” You are the actor, not the acted upon. You are the hand that helps others. You are the hero.
Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
