Do you want to survive or thrive?
Quite often during our mission to survive a disaster, whether short-term or long, we neglect to address this question. Do I want to simply survive or do I want to thrive? This is a very important question as it adds an entirely new level of preparation that is required.
Survival
This is where we focus most of our energy on during our preparations. It makes sense as this will be the first phase of surviving any disastrous event. It is at best short-term preparation. It is focused on immediate needs for prevailing against the coming storm. We must be able to protect ourselves and have the ability to secure or acquire our basic needs. It will get us through the initial crisis but then what? How long do you plan on surviving?
Thriving
In order for us to thrive after the coming storm, we must put time and energy into planning for our long-term self-reliance. We were at a friends ranch last weekend and helped them erect their greenhouse. This is a major step in preparing yourself to be self-reliant and thrive after the storm. You must accept the fact that if you want it you will have to grow it, kill it or make it in the post-disaster world. We shouldn’t think of our long-term (thrive) preparations as only useful after the storm. They are used here and now. When we start to adopt the self-reliant lifestyle we become less dependant on the whims of our grocer and butcher. We empower ourselves to grow and harvest healthy foods that we choose. We gain a sense of empowerment.
One step at a time
Now I know we are not all in a place where we have the means or wherewithal to have a greenhouse as nice as the one we built. But, if we are serious about thriving we must do what we can when we can. The best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time. Please joins us as we continue to discuss our future after the storm. It really isn’t a question if, but when! If you are thoughtful and diligent in your preparations you will provide for the generations that follow us. We have lost so many skills and so much knowledge of how to thrive in a world without the modern conveniences of electricity, refrigeration and the internet. We can and will thrive after those are gone, whether for a week or a year if we spend just a little time preparing.
As Alway,
Stay Vigilant and Be Prepared