The New Survivalist
Disaster Preparedness and Self-Reliance
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The New Survivalist
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Chapter 13:
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Build Your Network NowHumans are social beings. We have been remarkably successful as a species because we have been able to stick together forming groups, clans, tribes, communities, societies and civilizations. Since humans have walked the Earth our survival has depended on our ability to ban together. During a prolonged emergency, when chaos and lawlessness are the order of the day, your chances for survival may depend on your ability to network with your neighbors. No matter how well armed you are, you will probably have little chance against a gang of marauding vandals and bandits intent upon taking your possessions, and possibly your life. If you ban together with your neighbors for your mutual defense your chances for survival will increase greatly. No matter how well stocked and prepared you are, your stash will do you no good if you are dead. |
| A hundred years ago it was common for people to live their entire lives in the same communities in which they had been born. Everyone knew their neighbors, many even since childhood. Today we live in a highly mobile society. By next year your present neighbor may have moved across the country and you may never see him or her again. To make matters even worse, thanks to the internet, we may spend more time communicating with people on the other side of the planet than with those who live on the same street. We also spend more time in front of the television than at community events. All of this has tended to alienate us from our neighbors. It is not uncommon today for people to live for years next to neighbors whom they have never met. |
| When times get tough, people are much more likely to help a friend than a stranger. It is also easier to barter with people with whom you have already established good rapport. Part of your survival plans should include getting to know as many of your neighbors as possible. If you need an icebreaker, share the bounty from your garden or orchard. Bag up some of your extra produce and give it to your neighbors. If you do not at present have produce from your garden, bake a cake or a batch of cookies, or take them a sample of your home canning. Welcome new neighbors with a dish, a dessert, or a jar of your home canning. Participate in local and community events whenever possible. Turn off the television and spend more time on the front porch. Organize a weekly poker game. Make your neighbors your friends. |
| Once you have become well acquainted with your neighbors, there may be one or more whom you will want to discuss preparedness with. They will be less likely to come knocking at your door for provisions if they have put away provisions of their own. But no matter how well you get to know your neighbors, you should keep the full extent of your survival stash a secret from all but your closest family members. Information like that tends to spread very rapidly during times of extreme shortages, and if you are not careful you could someday have strangers knocking at your door or even breaking into your home. Regardless of your altruistic tendencies, it will be impossible for you to provide for everyone. The supplies that were supposed to last for months could disappear in as little as a day or two. Take care of your family first. But cooperate with your friends and neighbors whenever possible. |
| Go to town meetings and local political events. Get involved with local politics. Not only will you get to know more of your neighbors and establish contacts with people who are important for your welfare, but you will also be able to keep an eye on your local politicians and get involved in their decisions before they pass ordinances that threaten you (such as a city ordinance against home gardening, which we are seeing more and more!) For too long, here in America, things were going so well that we got lazy and started taking our liberties for granted. We took our eyes off of government and then we woke up one day in the realization that, while we were asleep, our government had been seized by mega corporations who were busy establishing a control state and legislating our liberties away. Many Americans are waking up today and saying, "Not on my watch!" Although it may already be too late! |
Action Step 19: Social Check ListsBelow are sample "GET" and "DO" lists for Social. Use these lists to help you formulate your own check lists using the appropriate page in your Action Planner. Add additional items as you think of them:
Social "GET" Check List:
Social "DO" Check List:
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Hard-hitting Biblically Based Rock & Roll! |
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