Taming the New Frontier

“My father grew up in Alaska and the conditions were so harsh there that if you didn’t help others they would die.” – Marv Shafer

Taming the New Frontier

There was a knock at our door the other day.  Our dog was going crazy.  When she does that it’s always a warning to us that something is wrong, so my daughter went to the door with a great deal of care.  Our dog was with her the whole time.  She was making a huge ruckus.

The fur down the middle of her back stood straight up and ran the full length of her body.  It was just one more sign that things were unsettling to her.  Our dog knew the people who were standing outside our door shouldn’t be there.  My daughter was on guard so she opened the door slightly, only enough to let her have an unrevealing conversation with the person on the other side.

“Can we come in and use your bathroom?” The stranger inquired.

“No!”

“Why not?” Came the reply.

“I don’t know you!”

“Are your parents home?” The visitor queried.

My daughter closed the door.  These people were too pushy and asked too many questions.  She locked the door.  Our dog watched to make sure the strangers left.  When they got out of sight she let down her guard, but she stayed with my daughter to maintain her safety.

When my daughter and dog entered the room where my wife and I were sitting we talked a little about this occurrence.  We are all a little nervous these days because there have been a number of burglaries in our neighborhood as of late.  Neighbors are actively watching out for their neighbors.

That part of the story is good.  I’ve always taught my children that we’ve been sent into the world to do good to others and that in doing good we do good to ourselves.  And, now that they’re grown I tell them that I still believe this to be true and that we should always keep it in view.  We should be upright, just and merciful and always exercise intentions of nobility.  I’ve communicated my commitment to cultivate a spirit of charity and to always be ready to do for others more than they would expect from others if circumstances were reversed.

But, in a certain way, it’s as if we’ve all moved to Alaska and the conditions are indeed, very harsh; there are predators everywhere.  So when my friend Marv was telling me about this frontier code his father lived by I took it to heart and wondered how I could continue to live up to the ideal such pioneers practiced. 

When the good people of the frontier lived in uncivilized circumstances they were always careful to protect themselves and their loved ones.  They did so with honor, while not forgetting that they held their core values sacred.  In short, they protected and they gave.  They built communities in the wilderness while sharing with and encouraging their neighbors.  It is an example we can still follow today.

There is so much good we can do in today’s world.  We should be ambitious in our quest to bring civilization back into our communities.  There are lots of great people to work with; you don’t have to do it alone.  Find a cause that puts a fire in your belly and then give it your all.  You’ll be the better for it and we’ll all benefit from your goodness.

There was a time when I thought Alaska was the new frontier.  Now I look out my front door and see frontier all around me.  The conditions are so harsh that others will die if we don’t help them.