In life you will find yourself in a place you don’t want to be, with no end in sight. This is okay and it’s a part of growth. The seed is buried in the soil, and it might be too cold to emerge. Who knows when the warmth will arrive?

Thankfully, in life, everything changes. That is to say, nothing is permanent. Cherish what you have now, and remember when things are getting bad, they always will get better. As John always said:

“worst case scenario you are dead, and then you don’t have to worry anymore”

-John, author of AthenaTacticalSurvival

Now, we would prefer to stay amongst the living, so here are some techniques that one can utilitize to stay to optimistic about our life, even the darkest, most coldest nights, of the soul.

“When the light is out and Darkness is around you… dont be afraid the light within your heart is still lit and growing”

-a friend

If you need to make a fire, first you must collect firewood. Start by scouting the area of your travels, to see if there is any dried wood. This ought to be done a few hours prior to sunset, as it becomes very difficult to forage at night.

Begin with small twigs and sticks, these should be dry and create a small pile of them. Afterward, begin collecting arm sized sticks and the most dry are the best. Keep an eye out for small stones, these will help to keep the fire contained as well as retain heat and are great for setting your cooking pan onto.

It’s important to use a cast iron or stainless steel cookware, not teflon coated, because the fire will be too hot compared to a stovetop. Once you have a pile of firewood and kindling, you will be ready to keep warm during the night.

Now, this relates to the soul because in times of great cold, there are things we can do to bring us heat. These things will require either effort, or preparation, usually both. Something like Canned Heat, or Atac’s Firestarting Tinderbox, can be of great use to starting a fire.

The soul is like a fire, it burns with passion, it may grow dim and wither, but the fire can always be stoked

Just as a fire can be rekindled from embers long after the initial spark, a soul can live on through the impact it leaves behind—through memories, stories, and the warmth it once shared. The effort we put into nurturing our inner fire, through passion, love, and creation, determines how long its glow lingers in the world. Like a flame passed from one torch to another, we only truly fade when no one remains to speak our name, just as a fire dies only when no heat or light remains to carry it forward.

You must keep the fire going, even during the darkest, most coldest moments. That is actually the most important time, you must carry on with your duties. The fire is not only for your own sake – it’s for the others in the camp. Those who are blissfully asleep, warmed by your fire. It’s your obligation to keep it burning, even when it means you cannot rest. You are vulnerable here, the fire is bright and blinds you from the darkness. You have to trust the universe in this moment, that no bear or wolf is going to pounce onto you. You trust that your friends would awaken to help you, just as you are awake to help them. This isn’t an easy task, staying up all night, alone, with your thoughts and the crackling fire. Putting logs onto the flame, and keeping it going, by blowing air onto it, or using fire starting packets to give it extra fuel.

This is the essence of resilience—the duty to keep the fire of your soul burning, even in the darkest and coldest of nights. In moments of despair, when exhaustion weighs heavy, it’s easy to let the flames dwindle, but that fire isn’t just for you. It’s a beacon for others, a warmth that sustains not only your spirit but those who may not even realize they are depending on it. Though the fire exposes you, making you feel vulnerable and alone, you trust that in time, others will awaken to tend it alongside you. And when they do, your flame, your name, and your legacy will continue to burn, long after the night has passed.

Conclusion

Life is ever-changing, and just like fire, the soul must be tended to, especially in the darkest moments. When the cold night of the soul sets in, you must keep your inner flame alive—not just for yourself, but for those who unknowingly rely on its warmth. This is not an easy task; it requires trust, perseverance, and the willingness to endure discomfort. Yet, no darkness lasts forever, and as long as your fire burns, your presence, your name, and your impact will continue beyond your time. So keep feeding the flame, because even the smallest ember can reignite into a roaring fire when the dawn finally breaks.