One Single Thing

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by DarkLight, Jun 7, 2015.


  1. DarkLight

    DarkLight Live Long and Prosper - On Hiatus

    Oh...for reasons I won't go into here I'm pretty sure that has at least started. ;)
     
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  2. William Warren

    William Warren Monkey+++

    "Never forget your friends!"
     
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  3. DarkLight

    DarkLight Live Long and Prosper - On Hiatus

    Or your enemies for that matter. Forgive, yes. Forget, not so much.
     
  4. 10brokenpromises

    10brokenpromises Monkey++

    To quote Captain Nesmith (Tim Allen - Galaxy Quest); Never give up, never surrender. So many times I've felt overwhelmed and just wanted to throw in the towel. Don't do it. Power through, keep on keeping on. Maybe take a break but even then, don't stop. Find your reason, which may have changed since you initially started, and recommit yourself to it. But don't give up.
     
  5. Motomom34

    Motomom34 Monkey+++

    :5s: quote. Thank you @10brokenpromises
     
  6. Motomom34

    Motomom34 Monkey+++

    I wrote that in June. Last weekend I had two incidents of proof that with every step I have took forward on this preparation journey, I was being observed and my children were listening and learning. They are showing the confidence that I had hoped to instill. They show knowledge and ability to look at things from a survival/safety aspect.

    - my older son is a hiker. He goes up 14'ers for fun, half the time he is making his way down in the dark. This weekend it was cold with blowing wind. I was fussing at him about being warm. He showed me his layers but I continued to fuss. He looked straight at me and said, "Mom, I have my bag in the car, it has everything I need." He shut me down with that one sentence. Everything I had taught him. Everything we learned together, he had the confidence, skills and items he needed.

    - younger one had an air soft war this weekend. After his buddies left, he started talking about the lack of skills his friends showed. He was disturbed that his friends had no stealth abilities, being aware of their surroundings or knew how to hold a gun properly. He proceeded to tell how he took time to show them how to correctly hold the guns and instructing them in observation. His buddies talked of getting better guns but my son said, "Mom, they shouldn't have stronger air soft guns because they are not ready for them." I was proud that he knew until you master a step, you do not move forward. The observations he made reassured me he was listening and learning every step of the way.
     
  7. Rocky Road Lerp

    Rocky Road Lerp Monkey+++

    Humility for me... Looking in the mirror knowing my children trust and depend on me to keep them safe, no matter what. Then, being honest with the fact that as much as I thought I knew about saving my own skin, taking care of a group was another ball game. Being humble has made it possible to fast track the necessary knowledge I've needed without allowing my ego to say "I knew that"! My pop used to say that when you stop learning you start dying. There's no law that says you can only learn something once. Once I know I have survival committed to muscle memory, maybe I'll look back and say " I knew that ". Until then, I'll keep practising the sponge technique, and absorb everything I can so I can look in that mirror and " know " that I put something greater before me.
     
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  8. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    @Motomom34.... When I was a much younger Man, and my Father was still alive, I depended on him, for advice, in my Life. He grew up in the Great Depression, put himself thru College, and became a successful Banker, rising to Executive VP of a Regional Bank. He was the Only Son, in his family, and his sisters depended on his Critical Thinking Skillset, for advice, his whole life. He taught his children, those Critical Thinking Skills, and Fiscal Money Management, mostly by example, and sometimes by Quiet Teaching. Now that he is gone, I miss that "BackStop" that he provided, for those many years. What humbles ME, NOW, is that my Children, and GrandChildren, think that I am that Old Wise GrandPa, and that I am the one, that they come to for that Wisdom & Advice, and I am not, now, or EVER sure, that what I have to give, will ever be as Good, as what MY Father gave. It weighs on my mind, that I feel so inadequate, when compared to, my perception of my Father... I talked to my Brother, (the Engineer) about this, when we were at our Annual Siblings ReUnion, just last month. He feels exactly as I do, but we muddle along, doing what we can, and Praying to our GOD, that we will Measure Up, to the Standard set, by our Father....
     
  9. Kingfish

    Kingfish Self Reliant

    One thing,,,,,,,,,,,,Be Practical. Don't go for romantic long shots. practical self reliance.
     
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  10. GrayGhost

    GrayGhost Monkey+++

    Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

    Be vigilant in all things.
     
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  11. chimo

    chimo the few, the proud, the jarhead monkey crowd

    Never quit.

    All the knowledge, skills, equipment and preps in the world do you no good if you do not have the mindset to survive.
     
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  12. Gray Wolf

    Gray Wolf Monkey+++

    This one probably does NOT apply to most folks here.
    There are two kinds of people. When given a task, one group says "I couldn't get it done because......"
    The other group finds a way, sometimes by thinking out of the box.
    I'm reminded of the quote from the movie HEARTBREAK RIDGE.
    "Adapt, improvise and overcome"
     
  13. kellory

    kellory An unemployed Jester, is nobody's fool. Banned

    Welcome to my world.
     
  14. Alpha Dog

    Alpha Dog survival of the breed

    Never judge a man by what others say only judge him by what you know him to be.
     
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  15. Motomom34

    Motomom34 Monkey+++

    I have been thinking about this question for a few days. I commented on this thread when it was first published in 2015 but lately have been thinking if there was something I would to add to my original answer besides confidence & optimism. The phrase, do not lose your humanity, keeps echoing inside my head. Preppers have a secret, that secret is a huge part of their lives. Everyday a prepper works to be prepared for whatever this world throws at them. I think preppers tend to withdraw socially, especially at first. I know some have been raised with the prepper/survivor mindset but those that began the journey later in life most likely saw an adjustment in their world. I know I did. It seemed that the original openness to participate in life, was approached in a guarded manner.
    So I would say to a new prepper: Have confidence and optimism but do not lose your humanity.
     
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  16. HK_User

    HK_User A Productive Monkey is a Happy Monkey

    Have a plan, follow that plan until You prove it workable or unworkable. Finish the plan to enable you to teach others of the value of having a plan, ignore those who claim you're just Lucky and then teach others the value of planning.
     
  17. arleigh

    arleigh Goophy monkey

    The will and ability to act the moment danger presents it's self.
    Years ago I watched a video by the BBC I think, about how people react to emergency , unfortunately I can't find it again.
    Point is many people do not act though they see something is wrong but wait for some one else to act.
    I think that most folks don't want to be responsible for causing a panic.
    Personally if I smell something burning I'm looking for the source.
    If I sense something spiritual I pray for wisdom of God how to take action.
    Tremors of significance mean taking look at possible vulnerabilities ,water heater, cupboards , propane tanks, and so forth.
    The potential for after shock remains for weeks ahead so repairing and preparing is essential .
    How quickly you are prepared to act makes a difference .
     
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  18. hot diggity

    hot diggity Monkey+++ Site Supporter+++

    Learn how to talk to strangers.

    There's no course at the community college or book that teaches this, it's a lifetime skill you learn in meatspace by practical application. In all of my planning to deal with natural disasters or other SHTF events, the biggest common threat is people. No matter how far out in the salt marsh I go, somebody will show up to bum a cigarette.

    I had my first encounter with a bully in Detroit when I was probably nine years old. My little gang and I had invaded another older (like 6th graders!) gangs turf while out on our bikes, miles from home. I had to do some quick thinking and fast talking to get us out of that bind without a bloody nose. Yes, in my memory it looks an awful lot like this.
    [​IMG]
    I talked my way out of lots of bad situations after that, and into a few, escaping with only a couple loose teeth, one stab wound and a bunch of stitches. I learned that body language and physical humor was universal and could break down language and cultural barriers. I talked my way into lots of places and fun things that I never would've been able to do without an ability to fearlessly approach strangers and ask the right questions.

    I didn't learn until I was in my forties that it was unusual for men to ask strangers for directions and ask for help finding things in the grocery store. It not only saves me time, but it lets me practice talking to more strangers, and meet women who can cook. The only group I haven't quite sorted out yet is old people. I get the most memorable responses from them, and beat a quick retreat, so maybe I have learned something useful from them. "Don't tell me what kind of day to have!" in response to "good morning" is a pretty good way to discourage conversation. Or the two old ladies with the heavy bags who really didn't want my help when I said "I see you have some heavy bags in your buggy, may I help you load them into your car?" The line that sticks with me from their tirade is "You can go to HELL, you won't see us there!" I've got to admit, that's a pretty snappy come back, and only a tiny sample of their profanity laced response. I couldn't beat feet out of there fast enough.

    You have to learn to develop your own rapid-fire response to questions like these:

    What ya got in that bag?
    Where do you think you're going?
    What are you looking at?
    Do I look like a fool?
    Can you help me out?
    Got a light?
    Do these jeans look good on me?

    Well, maybe that last one wouldn't be confrontational, depending on how you answered. The others you might hear from someone larger than you, blocking your path, or from someone unseen. You might not have to fake being surprised, and could jump at an unexpected voice. You can use it to buy yourself time to form a response, Everybody seems to think it's funny to watch someone they've startled react, even if they intend to stab you and take your wallet. I've used the Redd Foxx heart attack routine to buy time. [​IMG] I've made groups of really rough looking dudes laugh, and changed the whole mood of a confrontation without saying a word. If I can't find a response that isn't likely to cause confrontation I'd use "Can I bum a smoke?" as a stall to get my bearings and assess my situation. You might very well get a cigarette, a light, and be on your way, because you aren't the right sort of target. If not, you've managed to direct the conversation, buy a second to think, and be able to make your escape... or draw your sidearm and fire. Other times I might use "Can I offer you a free Bible study course?"

    It all takes practice and you can only practice talking to strangers in one place...

    [​IMG]
     
  19. chelloveck

    chelloveck Diabolus Causidicus

    1. The severed heads of others who asked the same question...I still have room in it for yours.
    2. To perdition, but I accepted Jesus as my lord and savior...do you have 5 minutes to talk about Jesus?
    3. I do believe the correct grammatical usage is..."To whom are you looking at"...I am looking at nothing.
    4. What you look like is not for me to say, but it may be a sound speculation.
    5. You may be more concerned about what I may help you into, than what I may help you out of....and I do so hate digging holes 6 feet deep.
    6. No, nor do I have a match.
    7. Your jeans look fantastic on you, but you may be a bit more comfortable wearing a pair that are a couple of sizes larger.
     
    Last edited: May 13, 2019
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  20. DKR

    DKR Raconteur of the first stripe

    Positive Mental attitude = survival.

    When the kiddos were little, I often talked about how hard things could get. But then I gave them a 'magic' word they could use to get thru it...

    The Magic word? RANGER!

    R is for Ranger
    A is for all the way
    N is for never quit (very important)
    G is for Gung Ho (BTW - Chinese for Work Together, like a family)
    E is for Everything
    R is for Rough & Tough.

    Now giving the same Magic word to the grand-kiddos.

    My 15 Y/O grand-daughter is currently humping ruck (just under 50 lb) thru Zion Canyon Ut on a two week 'adventure trip' - which I happily paid for.
    I warned her that her state-of-the-art ruck would still kick her ass pretty much every step for the first week - but that she would make it - with a smile on her face.....

    We got a report back last night, after week one -- that while she was one of the slower hikers, she never stopped, didn't whine and always had a big-assed grin on her mug. Ooo-hah.

    .
     
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