Being a ‘survivalist’ these days, does not necessarily or automatically conjure up visions of Rambo trekking through the wilderness with shoulders slung with automatic weapons and belts laden with bullets all the while surviving by eating bugs and edible wild plants…
Instead, there has been a noticeable movement of ordinary folks whose eyes have opened and are seeing for the first time the bigger picture of ‘the system’ which is designed to keep them slaves to the masters who control the money and the world itself.
To become a modern survivalist, it’s really pretty darn easy, and sensible. By my own definition, I would dare say that the majority of people just a handful of decades ago would be considered modern-day survivalists by today’s standards. Does this mean that to be a survivalist or prepper, or preparedness minded, that we have to live like they did – way back when?
No, of course not. Being a modern day survivalist, we can continue to work within the same system that is trying to make us slaves, but instead we simply outsmart it. It’s really quite easy to do actually. Want to know how?
All you have to do is rid yourself of all debt. Period. End of story. I’m sure that most of you reading this have debt in one form or another. That’s not meant to be a dig on you, it’s just a reality that has been subconsciously forced upon most people by various calculated means. Debt is the life blood of the system. It needs debt to even exist. If you can find a way to rid your debt, you will be stunned by the liberation that you will feel in your gut. Without debt, you are entirely in control of your destiny.
To be a modern day survivalist, you don’t need to have a bug-out location, or a survival retreat, or an arsenal of weapons, or a years worth of food storage, or…
Although these things are insurance towards survival under certain conditions, the primary path to survivalism is not to be beholden to anyone else (no debt), and, you need the ability to adapt.
The way to get out of debt is pretty straight forward. It involves will power, and cannot be done unless you really want it. It will require sacrifice, time, and lifestyle change, but the end result will be orders of magnitude better than the sacrifice you will suffer.
The ability to adapt however, is a different story. This is more of an ability to execute actions based around common sensibility, open mindedness, and strategic planning. To survive, you need the ability to adapt. It’s that simple.
Some people think that all you need is money and supplies. This is true up to a point. Once the supplies are gone though, unless you have the ability to adapt, you will be ‘done’. The ability to adapt is a mindset and general skill that is learned over time. It’s not as hard as you think…
Most people are programmed to think a certain way. People are taught to accept a particular way of doing things and to not question the rationale. Those who question are often chastised. This becomes so ingrained in your psyche that you fail to realize that there is more than one way to get from point A to point B, so-to-speak.
Keeping a ‘healthy skepticism’ is a very good thing. Don’t automatically believe or trust what you are told. Use your own sense! The rule-of-thumb is, if something is true or right, it ‘usually’ will ring true. In other words, trust your gut – it’s usually right. The older you get and the more life experience you have, the more often your gut is absolutely ‘right’.
Well, you get the idea. It’s food for thought. Open your eyes, and look around you. Dig a little deeper into the ‘why’ things are happening. ‘Follow the money’. Don’t automatically believe that the main-stream is giving you the story in context. Think. Know what it is that is important to you. Consider what it is that really makes you happy. Motivate yourself. Imagine what it will be like when you’re out of debt. Picture yourself in control of your own life with those that you love, doing what is important. It’s about life. Not things. It is the exact opposite of what ‘the system’ is trying to convince you. You may not know it or believe it now, but one day, you certainly will. Let’s hope that it’s not too late.
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Nice summation thank you. When I was forced into early retirement that was the route I followed. Big pow-wow with the wife and we decided the only way to clear the mortgage was sell the house and build one ourselves. We achieved that despite the fact I was a techie and not a builder. The house is in the middle of a town in walking distance to shops, harbour, beaches and coastal walks. It has high thermal efficiency but is not green. Much work still to be done, especially in the garden as we try to grow our own veggies. My credo for survival is “be aware”. It is always the unexpected that gets you.
@Ken, Snap! Ding-Ding-Ding, on the money! (Ha,Ha) You gotta listen to your heart; it will tell you what to DoOooo.. . You keep taking my entry formulas for the contest. Get out of my mind. You know that you nailed it and I’m 100% with you. Great formulation and presentation, and laced with read between the lines sublimation. ( For those that read the above, if you didn’t get it go back and read it again it’s impregnated with wisdom. ) I’d think a shaman dispersed his vision upon the clan, having sacrificed self to bring you the path… “Be Now”… Survive-All…
Ken you are absolutely spot on. Getting out of debt is imperative, if you want to be free of ‘the system’. It does require a change in how you look at things and what you consider as essential, but once you change your mindset, most will find that their quality of life also improves dramatically.
People need to quit playing the game. You do not need the latest new toys or a new vehicle every couple of years. You do not NEED many things……………… but the ‘system’ has done a good job of promoting things so that people believe they have to have things. Every person in the house has to have their own cell phone/blackberry and a tv and computer in every room. Your car needs to talk to you and you simply can’t function without GPS, being able to watch 4 channels at once on your big screen plasma and being ‘wired’ 24/7. Constant distraction, communication and entertainment seem to be a necessity and the masses are lost without it.
If you want to be a survivalist…………… freeing yourself from debt is the first and most important step. Along the way towards being debt free, learn to enjoy some of the simpler things. Grow a garden, cut your cable/satellite to the most basic package, learn to get by with one cell phone and learn about the pleasures of silence, taking the dog for a walk in the evening, playing cards with friends and family and reading a good book.
very true!
if you live within your means, you will find freedom within the confines of having less. it’s oxymoronic to think that you can have all you want with less than what they say you need, but still very true.
if i put a seed in the ground, it grows into food; that’s value added. additionally, it saves me from many different operational costs (gas, groceries, convenience purchases, etc.). riding a bike does the same thing, except adds the value of exercise and fresh air. using alternative energy sources is another way to extract value from modern society.
a simpler lifestyle is really far more complicated than one would think. gardening is far more difficult than going to the store. it’s also far more interesting and emotionally rewarding.
@ K.J., Glad to hear consensus; keep on feeding the flow. We can move as One and the mind-game the silent majority lives within; that-ignorant bliss- may just dissolve… Survive-All…
Good article but it is like a one legged stool. While I absolutely agree with reducing your debt or eliminating it entirely it is only one of the many things you should do to prepare.
Anyone serious about survival should have a vegetable garden. If you don’t now know how to grow your own food do you think you can be successful under the stress of a survival situation?
Also everyone should have a three phase food storage plan: Phase 1 would be a seven day supply of food that can be eaten without cooking and carried with you if necessary. Phase 2 would be a 30 day to 3 month supply of food that could be easily prepared (just require heating). Phase 3 would be a year or two years supply of basic food to get you through a longer term emergency.
Another important consideration is some way to preserve your food. This could be canning, root cellar, dehydration, pickling, etc.
And last, some food hidden (cached) in case your food and supplies are stolen or destroyed. Consider both caching food near your home and at an alternate location miles away incase you are forced to evacuate.
this article has helped my not so preping wife get a good clear pic of what it is all about. thank you!
Love the website. Very informative. My family and I have “been aware” for a long time. We are now looking for communities who are doing the same kind of search. Here is a copy of a comment I made on another page.
My family has been planning for disasters and gathering supplies for years. Unfortunately we live close to a city. We are now looking for survival communities in rural areas who are also looking to have others join them. A sort of level three planning. A just in case we have to leave the city plan.
We can offer supplies and skills ( nursing, teaching, and building).
Any suggestions such as forums or websites we can begin our search with?
Boots