Preparation vs. Living for Today
Lately I’ve found myself wishing I could close my eyes or wave a magic wand and make all the heavy, depressing economic and political news and trends just go away. Over the past 4+ years I’ve dedicated myself to greater preparedness and self-sufficiency. I’ve invested in food storage. I’ve taken water storage seriously. I’ve spent a significant amount of time in the scriptures, in history books, and with various alternative media sources in order to gain a greater understanding of the times we live in. And I certainly have my oils!
At just the time when my life is really becoming what I’ve envisioned for many years, I take a look around me and see a society on the brink. I just got married to an amazing man. We have plans for our future together, and we want peace, prosperity, and service to our fellow man to be a part of it.
A couple of days ago I listened to an interview on what an economic collapse here at home could look like. I see accounts of looting in economically-ravaged Spain. Greece’s painful economic collapse is on-going bringing its citizens greater destitution and hopelessness with each passing day. Economic “recovery” here at home in America has given us a relatively few low-paying jobs, flat interest rates on savings and investments, and more people than ever on government assistance.
We are now a nation more sharply politically divided than ever before with the “right” vs. the “left” incessantly played against each other in the media. After spending years studying Soviet history in grad school, I myself have some pretty intense opinions on the current state of American society and what has gotten us to this point.
Lately I’ve really been plagued with some thoughts and considerations. How do I continue to take preparedness seriously, given all the ample evidence that not only may it be a good idea but it could actually mean the difference between life and death for me and my loved ones, but also enjoy life TODAY in each moment? How can I strike that balance between using the power of my focus and intention in creating the type of beautiful and harmonious world I want to be a part of while acknowledging that many things, at least right now, don’t seem to be leading to that type of peaceful existence?
Do you know what I mean?
Here are four tips for driving yourself and others crazy with preparedness, and four ways to be prepared and live a happy, fulfilled life at the same time! Note — I’ve probably done each of the four negative examples at various times!
How to Drive Yourself & Others Crazy with Preparedness vs. How to Do Preparedness In Style …
1. Spend every waking moment obsessed with surviving a disaster, economic collapse, or the societal damage perpetrated by the government or large corporations.
Instead, balance time spent in preparedness activities and sociopolitical research with such activities as reading uplifting books, prayer, meditation, dreaming big, setting goals, enjoying time with friends and family, and achieving the type of life you want!
2. Live in fear that the $*#% is going to hit the fan any day and life will never be the same again.
Even though that may actually be true, focusing on it constantly will not help anything. As much as possible, engage in preparedness activities in a spirit of joy and empowerment — it’s FUN to become more self-sufficient!
3. Demonize and insult people who just don’t “get” the things that are so clear to you.
You will be more effective in making your points if you have love for people of all persuasions and walks of life, and even if you may disagree with them, try validating the parts of their views that make sense to you.
4. Become someone that nobody wants to be like — a caricature negative doomsday prepper who from the outside in, appears as a crazy person!
BECOME the change you want to see in the world. I love this quote I recently came across, and though I have not yet achieved a state of zen oneness with all of humanity and nature, I am seeking to apply this to my life –
“If you want to awaken all of humanity, then awaken all of yourself, if you want to eliminate the suffering in the world, then eliminate all that is dark and negative in yourself. Truly, the greatest gift you have to give is that of your own self-transformation.”
– Lao Tzu
Let us awaken as we prepare for possible future scenarios!
_______________________________________________________
Julie Behling-Hovdal is a reflexologist/holistic healer and founder of Essential Survival where she teaches people how to prepare for the #1 cause of death in the event of an economic collapse — lack of access to medicines. In 2005 Julie was able to get off 4 prescription drugs and heal from a 6-year stint of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and fibromyalgia with products from Young Living Essential Oils. Get a copy of her free report “Fast Track Survival Medicines” at http://essentialsurvival.org/fast-track-survival-medicines/.
Last updated by at .
{ 0 comments… add one now }