Stressed with the rest...or at your best?

When the you-know-what hits a rotating nut, will you be stressed with the rest, or at your best? If you're a prepper, you're already one step ahead of the rest. Why stress, when all you have to do to outrun the bear is stay one step ahead of the slowest camper? This Week's Sponsor: The Prepper Shaker: Keep It Super Simple! If you are overwhelmed by the magnitude of what it would take to sustain you for a year, then think more in terms of what it would take to keep you alive for a few days, weeks, or months in case you didn't have anything else to eat except what's on hand. There are only three things to remember about building your in-home storage program with the Basic concept: Store what you eat! Eat what you store! Use it or lose it! The biggest challenge in procuring an in-home storage supply is financing its acquisition. Creative use of current household items, wise budgeting in accordance with the family's income, and smarter shopping will help maximize your ability to accomplish your goal. But until the in-home storage program is established as a primary financial priority--after planning the repayment of current debt, of course--it will not become a reality. You don't have to do it all at once; just tell yourself, "I just have to begin, and then I can continue from there." It's as simple as that! James Talmage Stevens, Making the Best of Basics, 11th Edition, 2009, Chapter 8-2 From the Funny Farm: Dolphin Stress Test Please stop, take a deep breath, and look at the picture below of two identical dolphins jumping in tandem out of the water. Intensive psychological research has shown that the more differences you spot in the two dolphins, the more stressed you are. Extreme stress affects your ability to concentrate and see things clearly. Be assured that the two dolphins are completely similar. If you can spot any sort of difference without looking too hard, you are definitely stressed and should pack up work and go home immediately.    Prep Talk: Taking Care of Y-O-U Did you remember to take care of Y-O-U today? Y-O-U (Your Own Upkeep) can't be neglected just because there are other (seemingly) more important things to do. If you neglect Y-O-U, then you'll be doing the same as M-E right now (Mending Everything)! The body, the mind, the spirit, and our relationships all need regular upkeep to stay in good condition. Imagine for a moment that you (physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually) are like a typical American home with a kitchen, living room, dining room, den, bedrooms, one or more bathrooms, and a yard. In this imaginary home the kitchen, bedroom(s) and bathroom(s) take care of you physically. The den takes care of feeding your mind and entertaining your brain. In the living room you cultivate relationships; and in the dining room you feast upon spiritual things. Which rooms in your imaginary home get the most use? Which ones are gathering dust? Which rooms get cleaned most often? Least often? Why? Is the dining room any less important than the kitchen? The kitchen lets you prepare and eat quick meals on the run but the dining room lets you serve others and enjoy what you're eating on a much deeper level. How about the living room? Is yours just for show or do family, friends and guests gather here frequently to discuss and do things together that really matter? Your living room is a place to live. Are you using it to its full potential? What goes on in the den? Is it a place of learning or mindless entertainment? Do the kids have educational toys to play with? Does the library include good books, audio tapes, videos and dvds that stretch the mind and inspire you to improve? Do the music you listen to, the pictures on the walls, and the knick-knacks on the shelves stimulate greater, nobler, richer thinking or keep you mentally in the slums? And then there's the yard. Are you letting the grass grow under your feet? Time to get moving! Without regular upkeep a house quickly falls into disrepair. Without regular upkeep a life, too, quickly fall into disrepair. Health starts to fail. Minds turn to decadence and decay. Relationships break apart with tragic results. Spiritual neglect leads to despair, depression, addiction, even suicide. It's a lot easier and less costly to take care of Y-O-U (your own upkeep) in at least some small way every day than it is to stop and take care of M-E (mending everything) when things start to fall apart. You can pay Y-O-U now or you can pay M-E later. The choice is yours. Best Regards, Sharon Iezzi Your Hoppy-Go-Lucky Editor Parting Shot: Now That's Respect! A man and a friend are playing golf one day at their local golf course. One of the guys is about to chip onto the green when he sees a long funeral procession on the road next to the course. He stops in mid-swing, takes off his golf cap, closes his eyes, and bows down in prayer. His friend says, "Wow," that is the most thoughtful and touching thing I have ever seen. You truly are a kind man." The man then replies, "Yeah, well we were married 35 years." Keep on...preppin'! * * * * * The Prepper-Upper is published weekly by James Talmage Stevens, Publisher Author of Making the Best of Basics: the all-new and updated 11th edition. Editor: Sharon Iezzi Subscribe to The Prepper-Upper by Email More free info at familypreparednessguide.com * * * * * If you find this information valuable, please pass it on to a friend. Your comments are always welcome! © 2010 All Rights Reserved Worldwide. You may NOT copy and distribute any portion of this blog for commercial purposes without written permission. Mail requests to: ready2prepare @ gmail.com