I am a birth doula, and one of the most important things I tell my clients is that they must face their fears head on. That is the only way to overcome them, and it is the only way to prepare yourself mentally for the challenge of birth. I’ll get to what this has to do with preparing for anything in a moment, but one specific example of how fear impairs a woman’s preparation for birth is in avoiding even the thought of bad or unwanted outcomes. I often find that women don’t want to think about the possibility of their doctor recommending a cesarean, but if that happens to them, they wish they hadn’t skipped over the chapter on cesareans, and had paused to think about the “what if” scenarios.
In the same way, most of the people we know don’t want to think about an economic depression or a one world government, even if they know deep down it is a distinct possibility. But the worst thing you can do is stick your head in the sand and hope it magically goes away by voting for your favorite R or D, or “the lesser of two evils”. We’re all grownups right? Open your eyes, see what’s happening around you, and protect yourself. If you can do that, you will have little to fear because you will have the peace of mind that comes with being prepared.
I believe one of the biggest obstacles people have when thinking they have to prepare for the worst is not knowing where to start. So Glen and I came up with a list of the things we felt were most important in preparing for bad times, whether that means a natural disaster, losing your job, the government ordering a police state, or anything else scary sounding. Of course there is much more to it, but if you want a place to start, this is where to begin.
1. Broaden your horizon. Research everything for yourself and stop trusting your favorite news sources. There is a bigger picture and ignoring it is dangerous to your freedom. I recommend starting with www.infowars.com.
2. Learn to trust yourself and your family. Believe that you know what is best for your family, not your kid’s school teachers, your doctor, or your government. A good country is based on strong individual families. Your family will learn to enjoy life, not just survive if something bad happens, if you first learn to enjoy being, living, and working together.
3. Trust in God. He gives strength and peace to those who trust in Him. He also tells us to provide for our families, to be productive workers, and to prepare for hardship. Life is not easy, He does not offer an escape route, but God’s Word does offer wisdom for overcoming life’s challenges.
4. What does it take to survive? If you really break it down to the nitty gritty, what do you need for your family to survive? Life is only complicated when we make it that way. What can you live without? How can you provide for your family without a regular paycheck and still be comfortable? Be creative and imagine. It all starts with opening up your mind to the possibility that you can survive and still enjoy life without your current home, belongings, or even your job.
5. Avoid debt like the plague. Contrary to what the feds tell you, using up your credit (and then more) is not a good way to buy your freedom. Pay off your debts, don’t take out any more loans unless it’s an absolute emergency (and I mean an emergency), and if you want to go to college, pay your own way. Debt will only enslave you to the one who owns your debt, it is NOT an investment.
6. Read the Constitution. Know your rights, draw your line in the sand, and stand up for your family. Point out bad and useless laws and fight them tooth and nail. Follow the example Oath Keepers are making. Acknowledge the intelligence of people and the role the government (made up of ordinary people) as protecting your rights and administering justice, not controlling people, spending your money, or “knowing what’s best”.
7. Get to know your neighbors. Make friends with like-minded people so you will know how you can help each other. Not only is this good community-building, but you will know the resources of the community and who you can trust when crisis hits.
8. Equip your defenses. I actually thought twice about adding this one because it may not be necessary for a long and healthy life, but it is important so I added it in. Buy a gun. It’s as simple as that. When it comes to protecting your family from robbers, or maybe a tyrannical government, a personal defense weapon is the best thing to have. And if an economic depression is no longer a threat but a reality, you may just want one for hunting food. It doesn’t have to be fancy, it just has to work. Guns are tools, and they are your constitutional right, even if your “representatives” decide to reinterpret your God-given right to self-defense.
9. Store food. Aim for a six month supply of food and water for your family. Medicine, vitamins, first aid, and extra clothes are also good to have stored away. Start by spending just a little more each week on food. $20 is a good amount, but you could make it more or less depending on your budget. Buy food that will store for a year or more, like peanut butter, canned veggetables, pasta, dried beans, flour, salt, etc. This will freeze the cost of your food while you can still afford it, and will provide a backup should you lose your job or there is no food on the grocery store shelves.
10. Learn skills. This is the fun one, and it can be used to earn a little cash on the side, but will be of extreme benefit should there be a natural disaster or global depression. Learn to build a fire, raise animals for food, grow a garden, fix cars, build a fort, mend clothes, make bread over a wood stove, etc. Pick something that could be useful to know when you don’t have electricity or a furnace, and start with that, one thing at a time. Make a weekend (or summer long) family project!
11. Plan an escape. I put this one last because it is probably the one you want to think about the least, but it is essential for “when-the-crap-hits-the-fan” planning. When the worst happens, whatever that may be, and you can’t stay in your home, you need an escape plan. Some people pack “bug out” bags for each member of the family with all the essentials, like two weeks worth of food, a water purifier, toilet paper, first aid, etc. This will work in the case of a natural disaster, but you may want to think more long term. If you lose your job and have to move, where will you go? And don’t just think tent on the street. While you have time, you can think ahead. Where would you want to live? What time of home could your family get used to that would cost very little? A piece of land with a tee pee? A yurt? A cabin? A camper? A campground, tent city, or building on to a family member’s house? There are a ton of cheap solutions to living on the street that are WAY more comfortable!
Well, that’s it for now. Do you have any other ideas to share?
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