Posts Tagged ‘way-of-life’

How To Achieve your Goals

It is one thing to think about or talk about the things that we want to do – our goals, but it is quite another to actually do something about it and put the thoughts or talk into actions.

I have had my own occasional issues of procrastination, like I’m sure most of you do. It is very easy to think of all kinds of excuses for why you can’t do something. Our lives are so busy with the demands that are upon us – at home and at work – there really isn’t much time to accomplish things that are outside of the normal routine of a busy day or week (or ever). It is an excuse, yes, but arguably a valid one.

The thing is, when you get right down to it, EVERYTHING that you do is a choice that you make, including the things that you feel you ‘must’ do, or have no choice about, throughout your busy day or week. So many of the choices that we make each day are not even conscious choices. They are choices made out of a routine – they are automatic – because this is what we did yesterday, and the day before…

Once you get into a routine of day-to-day life, hardly anything will ever change for you. Seriously. That’s the way it works. It’s human nature. You habitually do nearly the same things each day of your life. The same things during Monday through Friday, and the same things during the Weekend, more or less.

To get what you want, you have to go out and get it. You have to break the routine. There is no other way. No one is going to give it to you.

So, how do you do it?

Define it. First you must define what ‘it’ is. I mean, really define it. It may start with a fuzzy vision of what you want, but you need to keep thinking about it until it becomes clearer. I know I’m talking in general terms here, but many ‘big’ goals start out blurry and need to be sharpened before you can go to the next step.

Want it. You must really want it in order to achieve it. If you do not really truly want it, you won’t make time to get it.

Believe it. You must believe that you will be able to get it. Any doubts will severely damage your ability to get it. The following steps will help you believe it more.

Write it down. Write it on paper or in an electronic document. You must do this. Even though many of us are computer savvy, writing things on paper, instead of an electronic note, often makes a big difference. It sometimes seems more ‘real’ that way.

Split it up. In the process of writing down your goal, it is extremely important to split up the goal into manageable tasks. You must have small ‘chunks’ that are achievable in a reasonable time frame so that you can check things off on your way towards overall accomplishment. This is very important. This process also very much helps while defining the overall goal. It kind of goes together.

Review it. Sleep on it. After you’ve captured your plan in detail, look at it later. You will often find that you will adjust or change things when looking at it in a new light.

Schedule it. It’s not magic, you’ve got to schedule time for the steps that you’ve documented. Be reasonable. This is also important. Schedule chunks of time that you know you can make for yourself. Otherwise there will be disappointment which will lead to doubt, which will chain-react and destroy the effort.

Do it. If you have done the steps above, the ‘doing it’ part will actually be easy and fun. You will be excited about it, which will lead to more positive results, which will chain-react into success!

Seriously, this approach works. One of the biggest keys to being successful at achieving a goal, particularly a big goal, is not only the preparation and planning, but the key is really believing (knowing in your mind) that you WILL do it. Not that you ‘can’ do it, but that you ‘will’ do it. You’ve already achieved the result before you’ve even begun. You will get there. It will happen.

In summary, this is simply an approach towards achieving any goal, of any type, which I believe really works.

No go do it!

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Your Community: A Survival Help Or Hindrance?

What exactly is your community? Do you live in a rural area, or small neighborhood, an apartment building, a cul-de-sac or a city? You are prepping, stocking up and preparing for some level of emergencies. Are your neighbors prepping? In a SHTF scenario would you want their help? Would you be able to get their help? Are they even capable of helping? How well do you know them? Would they be a help to you or a hindrance to you?

Many people feel that you should keep your prepping and your emergency planning ‘quiet’. Generally speaking, I think you may be better off on your own. The bottom line is that the decision whether or not to help your neighbors is a decision that only you can make.

In a SHTF scenario, the world you know will be very different. People that have not prepared will think of many different ways to get your things. These ‘ways’ may be a good thing, such as bartering or helping with a task. But chances are these ‘ways’ could very well be devious or even intrusive.

Things to consider before you decide to put your neighbors into your fold.

Are your neighbors clueless and needy? Okay, seriously, I’m not being mean, I’m being realistic. If they are needy because they are elderly, that’s a different story. But if they are just generally clueless and needy, they will probably require a lot of your time as well as your supplies.  Once again, a decision that’s up to you.

How would they view your prepping? If you were to tell them and show them, today, all of the prepping work you have done, would they think you are weird? Or would they be receptive, ask you questions, and even start their own prepping? Something to think about when looking for a compatriot.

What are the occupations of your neighbors? Will they be able to be helpful in a SHTF scenario? Prepper groups are being formed out there folks. They are groups of friends, family, neighbors that are all preppers who are concerned about banding together for security when the S does HTF. A tight group of people with varied skills, occupations and interests that can all bring benefits to the group. Am I describing your neighbors, or not?

Are your neighbors frugal or wasteful? If need be, would you be able to get them to ration food? Something else for you to think about.

How will your community ( neighborhood, small town, apartment complex etc.), fare in a SHTF scenario? Would such a scenario increase their reciprocity? Would they follow a make shift leader to increase the strength of the community or would it be a dog eat dog situation. Something else for you to think about folks.

How many of you have watched the old TV show ‘Jericho‘? First of all, for the most part, they stuck with the mayor and sheriff as local leaders. The town generally united, but even then there were ‘factions’ that grew. Some folks combined with others from another town and thought they knew best. Although for the most part they worked together, there were still those rotten apples to watch out for. When it comes down to not having food, water or a shelter, people will act differently, instinctively. Think about this.

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Risks Happen

Our perception of risk is something we share as survivalists and preppers. It’s the ability to realize the potential dangers there are in our world and to become prepared for these dangers, in case they actually happen, even though the risk may seem to be small. Think about how many people you know, or don’t know, that don’t think about these risks at all. Discovering what the risks are, and then researching what the results could be, will make a prepper out of you because knowing this will ‘scare’ you into it. Once you realize how much we really do depend on the systems to ‘work’ behind the scenes, you will begin to recognize vulnerabilities that could affect your life. Even though the odds are low that some of these things could happen, the point is, if any of the ‘big ones’ do happen then we will be in deep $h!t.

Perception of systemic risk could save your life. Most people are too busy in their daily lives to even conceive of a dangerous scenario happening, and what the consequences would be for them. Working at their jobs, maintaining the household, taking care of the children, being caught up in the entertainment of sports, tv, going out, etc. leaves them with no time to be able to think of other things like systemic risk and vulnerabilities. Especially things that are not ‘normal’ to think about (according to the main stream). And let’s say many of these non-prepper people did have extra time to perceive some potential risks, how many of them are actually ‘with it’ enough to think these dangers through and realize the real dangers and prepare for them?

Most of these people cannot or will not perceive any systemic risks because these risks have not turned into real dangers or problems at any time during their lifetimes. It hasn’t happened in their lifetime, therefore, it won’t! Right?

The pandemic of 1918.

This influenza killed up to 50 million between 1918 and 1919, a time when there was only a fraction of population that we have today, and a time before air travel and population movement that we have today. Small businesses went bankrupt because they couldn’t run their business during the pandemic. Life insurance claims rose 745%! Oh, but we have flu vaccines now, so that could never happen again! Right? Wrong.

Infectious disease doctors agree there will be another pandemic, they just don’t know when. Maybe it won’t be influenza, maybe it will. Maybe it will be an adaptation of the ‘bird flu’, or something else. If it happens during your lifetime, are you prepared? Once an event like a pandemic is underway, it’s highly doubtful, that you will be able to go out and purchase the supplies that you may need to survive.

Carrington Event

This was the most powerful solar storm event in recorded history. Yeah, but it happened in 1859, it’s not going to happen again in my lifetime. Right? It might. Do you realize what would happen if our power grids went down for months? or longer? Are you prepared? Once a Carrington event happens, it will be too late to prepare or get what you need. The results would probably be so catastrophic to our modern way of life that you could hardly imagine it. The number of people that would perish because of a complete breakdown of our infrastructure, would be staggering. The majority of those who had not prepared, probably would not make it, because most people’s lives depend on the infrastructure of our society to keep on working.

WWIII – Nuclear War – EMP

Most people alive today have never experienced a world war. WWI and WWII are ancient history. Something like that will never happen again. Right? You may be wrong. Do you have any clue how bad it could be with today’s modern weapons and nukes? It’s hard to comprehend. Nuclear war has never happened, so it could never happen. Right? You may be wrong. An EMP? What’s that? Whatever it is, it couldn’t possibly affect me. Right? An EMP could ruin our way of life – for a long time.

I could go on with more risk examples. Many of them may appear to you to be so unlikely to happen, that it’s not worth thinking about. It is true that many of the ‘end of the world’ type of risks are less likely to happen than other ordinary less threatening risks, but the scary thing is that ‘if’ any of them were to happen, our lives would be turned upside down.

It’s good to think about them (the possibilities – the risks). It’s not good to be paranoid about them. It’s good to realize that we are vulnerable to the systems out there, and to do what we reasonably can to be prepared. It’s the responsible thing to do.

The point I am trying to make is to ‘think’ for yourself, because most people do not. This fact is the reason why you will be in more trouble than otherwise, because others have not thought things through and are totally unprepared for any disruption whatsoever. Think. Imagine the possibilities. Prepare for them.

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When the Trucks Stop, It’s Over

Systemic risk. I guarantee that most ordinary folks have no idea that if trucks stopped rolling all across America, within a short period of time nearly all Americans would all be in a life-threatening situation from major delivery shortages. 70% of all freight that is moved in the U.S. is done so by truck. You (we) depend on that ‘stuff’ for our survival.

A major disruption in truck travel would immediately impact seven major industries, and would bring America to its knees within days due in part to “just in time manufacturing”, zero-inventory, and the fact that our modern way of life is entirely dependent upon unimpeded distribution chains.

(Facts summarized from a report sourced from the newsroom of www.trucking.org)

Severely impacted from truck stoppage,

The Food Industry

- Severe shortages within 72 hours, especially of perishable items.
- Panic will make shortages worse.
- Clean drinking water will run dry (every 7 to 14 days all water treatment plants receive chemicals by truck to make drinking water safe).

Healthcare

- Many hospitals operate on a “just in time” delivery for medications and supplies.
- Hospital and nursing home food will run out in 24 hours.

Transportation

- Gas station fuel will run out within 24 to 48 hours. An average gas station requires deliveries every 2.4 days.
- The subsequent fuel shortage will ripple to all automobiles and vehicles which will no longer be able to transport people to work,  police, fire, rescue, mail-package delivery, garbage pickup, public transit…
- Airlines and air-cargo will be grounded due to lack of supplies.
- Rail lines will halt due to non-delivery of the first and last mile (trucks)

Waste Removal

- Within days, America will be buried in garbage, presenting an enormous health hazard.

The Retail Sector

- Most retailers rely on “just in time” delivery of their products to keep inventories low.
- Consumer behavior during emergencies triple the inventory turnover – speeding up the already ‘bad’ situation.

Manufacturing

- Nearly 100% of manufacturing have switched over to “just in time” processes in order to optimize efficiency and profits. Manufacturing will shut down within hours.

Banking and Finance

- ATM’s and bank cash will run dry very quickly.
- Businesses will lose access to cash.
- Bank branches will shut down.

Impact Timeline if trucks stopped rolling

The first 24 hours

• Delivery of medical supplies to the affected area will cease.
• Hospitals will run out of basic supplies such as syringes and catheters
within hours. Radiopharmaceuticals will deteriorate and become
unusable.
• Service stations will begin to run out of fuel.
• Manufacturers using just-in-time manufacturing will develop component
shortages.
• U.S. mail and other package delivery will cease.

Within 48 hours

• Food shortages will begin to develop.
• Automobile fuel availability and delivery will dwindle, leading to skyrocketing
prices and long lines at the gas pumps.
• Without manufacturing components and trucks for product delivery,
assembly lines will shut down, putting thousands out of work.

Within 72 hours

• Food shortages will escalate, especially in the face of hoarding and
consumer panic.
• Supplies of essentials—such as bottled water, powdered milk, and
canned meat—at major retailers will disappear.
• ATMs will run out of cash and banks will be unable to process
transactions.
• Service stations will completely run out of fuel for autos and trucks.
• Garbage will start piling up in urban and suburban areas.
• Container ships will sit idle in ports and rail transport will be disrupted,
eventually coming to a standstill.

Within a week

• Automobile travel will cease due to the lack of fuel. Without autos and
busses, many people will not be able to get to work, shop for groceries,
or access medical care.
• Hospitals will begin to exhaust oxygen supplies.

Within two weeks

• The nation’s clean water supply will begin to run dry.

Within four weeks

• The nation will exhaust its clean water supply and water will be safe for
drinking only after boiling. As a result gastrointestinal illnesses will
increase, further taxing an already weakened health care system.

————————————————————————————————————–

It’s all pretty scary. The ripple effects would be severe, the specifics of which are far too many to list here. You may be of the opinion that something like this could or would never happen. You would be wrong to think so.

Imagine a pandemic. A major and deadly pandemic WILL happen again. It has in the past and there is no denying that it will happen in the future. Much of the trucking transportation system would be affected for a number of reasons including they themselves being stricken or the fear of becoming infected while out in public. Even a partial trucking collapse would lead towards a chain-reaction that would cripple the rest.

Imagine a natural OR weaponized EMP (eXtreme solar flare or high altitude nuke). An EMP could destroy the electronic workings within most trucks in an instant, rendering them useless. In addition to stopping vehicles in their tracks, an EMP will bring down most all other electronic systems, making for an overall truly apocalyptic event.

A major New Madrid fault zone earthquake could sever all or much of east-west trucking distribution as major bridges are damaged or destroyed across the Mississippi river.

A super-spike in the price of diesel fuel due to a major Middle East disaster/war/disruption could grind to a halt much of trucking traffic.

Terrorist attacks while using trucks as truck-bombs could grind trucking to a halt while the government begins mandatory inspections of all.

Any major event, terrorist or otherwise, which causes the majority of truckers to remain at home with their families for the sake of their health or security rather than to risk leaving them behind and going out on the road.

Think about it. Are you prepared?

Except for the commentary, the information was summarized and sourced from a report titled “When Trucks Stop, America Stops” linked from the newsroom page found at www.trucking.org/newsroom/

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‘Compassion’ Is Also a Survival Skill

So, let me start by saying that appearances can be very deceiving. Here is a little story that I have to share that will confirm what I just said about appearances being deceiving. As many of you are aware, Ken and I have recently moved. As we are getting settled, I think about what we’ve seen, such as foreclosed homes, closed churches, protests etc. It made me think of a dear friend that we left when we moved. His name is Oscar, Oscar the Grouch. Well, at least that’s what Ken and I nicknamed him before we actually even met him. Everyday, without fail, he would walk our neighborhood, making his rounds.

He became Oscar the Grouch because he never smiled and if you waved at him while he was walking the neighborhood, he would just give you a very stern stare…thus the grouch. He always had a sort of curmudgeon look about him.

One day, as I was leaving church after mass, it was starting to rain. I got in my car and as I was buckling in, I saw him approaching my car. My first thought was what was he doing here, this is 5 miles from our neighborhood and I knew he didn’t drive, he had to be in his mid eighties! I rolled down the window and he asked if I was going home. I told him that I was and I asked him if he would like a ride. I knew that he lived a block from our house. “Oh, yes, thank you.” he said and he got into the car. “My name is Oscar.” I told him that it was nice to finally ‘meet’ him and I told him that my name is Lauren.

That was our first drive together. After that we went to mass together every week for years until I became ill last year. I would pick him up and bring him home. And he would always have something for me, perhaps a jar of mustard, or a clay pot, or a zucchini he grew in his back yard, there was always something. It was his way of saying ‘thank you’.

As Ken and I got to know Oscar, we realized he was not a grouch at all. In fact, he is hilarious and rather wise too. He is 85 years old now and I remember talking to him about a year before the recession officially hit. He knew it was coming and he asked me if I knew what he was talking about. I told him things were only going to get worse. “That’s right, so you better stock up.” he said. I promised him that I would, even though we already were prepping. But he knew. He knew exactly what was going to happen because he lived through it during the depression. He is going to survive. Here’s why.

As time went on, I learned that when he went on his daily walks, he was working his ‘network.’ He knew almost every neighbor. And if he didn’t trade items with them, then he got some neighborhood news and gossip. Maybe the neighbor was a widow and once a week he would bring her trash out to the curb. He had the neighborhood working to his advantage. When he was ill, I would see neighbors bringing him plates of food. Oscar will survive!

Becoming Oscar’s friend showed me what showing your compassion can do for yourself. For surviving this economic garbage we are all dealing with, may I suggest showing a little compassion to some of you elderly neighbors. Or maybe even some younger neighbors too. Your neighborhood may have to stand together against rioters and looters. It might be nice to have them on ‘your side’. And the Big Guy up in heaven will know. So next time you’re at the market and 5 lb. bags of potatoes are buy one get 2 free, think…can you give the two free bags to some of your neighbors?

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