How Prepared Are You?

Knowing who we are, and why we do things are fundamental to our existence. Without these, we tend to walk aimlessly through life and waste time and effort on unnecessary pursuits.

That is why I believe an initial analysis of where we are at, what we want, and where we want to go are very useful in our pursuits towards preparation. Personally, I believe a lifestyle centered around a good quality homestead with quality people around us is best.  The problem arises as to HOW to get there from here.  This is why the APN (American Preppers Network) was founded.  WE can make things happen together. No free-loaders, just good helpful support and direction from fellow seekers.

Here are some basic, yet crucial, concepts to address within your life to help you make more successes than failures!  We can do only so much in the world around us, so if each of us is aware of what we are personally looking for, we will be more apt to survive, and for the right reasons.

*** There are NO answers in this column, just suggestions! You must find your own answers, we are only able to help each other, and, in so doing, can we possibly realize and implement our own specific answers.***

This is a different look at 10 important reasons FOR and AGAINST self preparation.  Firstly, it is possible that some of these reasons could go either way, for or against.  Why is this so? Well, just about every topic in society has opposing views, and for some reason, there are people out there who disagree with things that others find critically essential.  It will help each of us to ponder why any of these topics could be viewed differently from our own perspective.  If any reason you see below stumps you as to why someone could believe otherwise, ask around or contact me, and I can share with you some discussions with the ‘people’ I have encountered over my years, it probably will amaze you!

Reasons for Preparation:

For________________Against_______Personal Survival_________________Family Survival____________________Friends_________________________Cost_________________________Freedom________________Purpose (why we are here) ___________Being Put on a List_____________Alienation from Others______________Maintain Society________________Too Difficult to Do_________

Questions to ask oneself:

Why Survive? What am I here for? Do I have a purpose? Is there a spiritual / religious reason for me?

Who do I want to survive with?  Family?  Friends?  Church members?  Why them?

Initial assessment:

I suggest you search through these other topics columnists here have written to see where you stand with them, and where you would like to go from here.

There are no ‘Right or Wrong’ answers here, just your own honest observation of your current situation. Remember, this is for your own use, so be honest.  This is when you ‘woke up’ to your situation, and it is up to YOU to decide where you go from here.  This can be kept and re-evaluated a couple of months in the future, to see your progress.  (Circle your current status in this area and make notes for you.)

Areas of your life:

Personal Health (Status: Poor – Okay – Good – Great) Notes:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Family members’ health (Status: Poor – Okay – Good – Great) Notes:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Financial status (Status: Poor – Okay – Good – Great) Notes:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Focus: (Keeping your head on straight) (Status: Poor – Okay – Good – Great) Notes:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Firestarting: (Status: Poor – Okay – Good – Great) Notes:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Food Preparation: (Status: Poor – Okay – Good – Great) Notes:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Food Storage: (Status: Poor – Okay – Good – Great) Notes:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Water finding: (Status: Poor – Okay – Good – Great) Notes:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Water Purification: (Status: Poor – Okay – Good – Great) Notes:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Water Storage: (Status: Poor – Okay – Good – Great) Notes:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Communications: (Status: Poor – Okay – Good – Great) Notes:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Map Reading: (Status: Poor – Okay – Good – Great) Notes:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Compass Use: (Status: Poor – Okay – Good – Great) Notes:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Mountaineering: (Status: Poor – Okay – Good – Great) Notes:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Personal Equipment: (Status: Poor – Okay – Good – Great) Notes:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Survival Equipment: (Status: Poor – Okay – Good – Great) Notes:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Medicine – Emergency: (Status: Poor – Okay – Good – Great) Notes:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Medicine – Hygiene: (Status: Poor – Okay – Good – Great) Notes:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Medicine – Survival: (Status: Poor – Okay – Good – Great) Notes:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Retreat / Survival location plans: (Status: Poor – Okay – Good – Great) Notes:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Transportation Emergency needs: (Status: Poor – Okay – Good – Great) Notes:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Homesteading: (Status: Poor – Okay – Good – Great) Notes:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Current Events: (Status: Poor – Okay – Good – Great) Notes:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Salvaging / Junking: (Status: Poor – Okay – Good – Great) Notes:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________