Semper Gumby [Always Flexible]

In the military, Semper Gumby translates to ‘Always Flexible’. Although I did not serve in the U.S. Marine Corps, the adage is used military-wide. In hindsight, I only actually remember it being used when things were going wrong or there was some unexpected change to our plans.

Homesteading very much reminds me of my military service, except I have the freedom to do what I want, when I want. Regardless, if you are too rigid in your thinking, planning, or execution, you will probably find yourself upset pretty often.

I, at all times, try to ensure that I am not too married to any particular idea about anything. The reason is that as start to execute your plans, reality gets a vote. In our minds, out best laid plans always work out perfectly… because they should! The reality is that we have not really tempered our expectations and we often forget that perfection, in my opinion, has no place on a homestead. In my mind, functionality should be the goal. If your creation happens to be pretty, that’s always a bonus.

There is always a solution. Admiring the problem is not one of them.

Before we got chickens, I found myself wondering if a super expensive chicken coop should be the home for our egg layers-to-be. Then I asked myself, would a $1000 chicken coop make my chicken lay more eggs than a $300 chicken coop? The answer is no.

Its the mental flexibility that enables you to more comfortably shift your thoughts or plans, and on the homestead that is essential.

Everyone probably knows someone who is unable to deal with changes in plans. If any aspect of how something is supposed to go is off, they are in a real funk. They are of the mind, although they may not acknowledge it, that there is no way things can work because its not going the way they planned them. The reality is, outside of something completely catastrophic happening, things will be okay.

“No plan survives first contact, Private. Its our ability to be flexible enough to adapt to changing conditions that will help you respond to unforeseen situations.”

One of Lamare’s Drill Sergeants in U.S. Army Basic Training

I remember years ago, our Company in Alaska was about to conduct an airborne training operation and follow-on battle drills. We did all the planning, training, walk throughs, mission briefs. We were ready! We get all loaded up on the airplane, rigged up and ready to jump, and then the windspeed increased. By the time we got to the drop zone, the wind speed was so fast there were mutterings of the jump being canceled, but our Commander would have none of that.

We jump, the wind blew nearly half of our chalk (group of paratroopers) into the trees. After we landed and made sure that no one had any serious injuries, it was time to get on with the next training requirement. I recall someone being mad because the wind had blown us off of our planned start point by almost a kilometer. “Damn it!” I remember one of the guys saying. “We’re off our f&$kn’ SP (start point).

Then it happened. Our Squad Leader said, “Semper Gumby, Airborne,” with a snicker.

He was right. It wasn’t the end of the world. Were we banged up from a rough landing? Yes. Were we off our SP? Yes? Did it make the mission a little more difficult? Sure. But everything was okay. On top of that, we all learned a lesson that would serve us when we would deploy to Iraq; you must have the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and overcome difficulty. Without this ability, you will fold, you will quit.

If you have homesteaded for more than a few days, you know that it can be tough. As the adage goes, “Man plans, God laughs.” You have a few options when things don’t go the way you plan them. You can throw up your hands and quit, or you can accept the new reality, formulate a solution, and continue the mission.

“The first rule of contact (facing the enemy on the battlefield) is to breathe…”

This is an adage that is intended to make you understand that you need to stay calm in combat situations. No good decisions have ever been made while losing your head.

So the next time you find yourself experiencing things not going the way you plan, remember to stay flexible. Relax. Know that things will be okay. Maybe even walk away from it for just a minute to clear your head, and then get back at it. At the end of the day, it may not have gone exactly how you planned, but it worked.

Its all about results. Semper Gumby, Homesteader!