Often times, "Life" is what changes peoples way of thinking. I joined the U.S. Army at 17, back in 1981. (yes, 17, my parents had to sign a waiver, I was 17 when i graduated high school). The US Army changed my way of thinking. Key phrases that i learned & incorporated into my life: Improvise, adapt & overcome----Prepare for the worst but hope for the best---There is no such thing as being too prepared----You CAN & WILL do things that you never thought possible---Prepare for war yet pray it does not happen---Better to have it & not need it, than to need it & not have it.
Natural disasters, man made disasters, accidents & war are what changes most people. A disaster is only an inconvenience if you are prepared. Other things to remember: it is not your job to prepare for people other than your family. During a disaster, it is VERY possible that people you know, can become people you won't like anymore. Take that time to educate them.
I have a neighbor that teased the heck out of me every night when he & the misses went for their walk. I had just purchased my 2008 Dodge Power Wagon w/Hemi & gas was going up every day. He laughed & asked: so how do you like your truck now. This went on & on. During that winter, we got a storm, it knocked out the power & dumped 3' of standing snow.
That very same neighbor showed up at my door while my generator was running & locked to my campers A-frame, with an extension cord in his hand & asked if he could "plug in." I told him no, it is only big enough for our stuff. Heat, fridge, freezer & a light or 2. He then asked what i would do if someone stole it. I said i would shoot them dead. I then smiled & told him to drive his fuel friendly mini-van to the store & buy his own generator as he makes more money than me. 2 hours later, a knock at my door. Him again. He never even made it out of town. Got buried in the snow & was blocking the lane of traffic. So, i went & pulled him out. Well, he was absolutely blown away at how my truck drove through 3' of standing snow like nothing. After he got his mini-van home, i took him to town to get his generator. He was just amazed. I took the opportunity to tell him "my philosophy." That it is the husbands job to provide for & take care of his family. That if SHTF the ONLY one you can count on is yourself. That food, water, shelter & clothing are the basics that he needs to be able to provide for his family. That if he DOES do that, he may be able to team up with others during a crisis & share resources. That if he has nothing to offer, no one will WANT to team up with him. That each person doing their little part can go a LONG way during an extended crisis. Sharing meals & heat will help EVERYONES supply last a little longer. That just because someone owns firearms/knives does NOT make them someone to fear. That you should respect them if they do own them. That asking what i would do if someone stole my generator is NOT showing respect. That family is VERY important.
My Liberal neighbor shows me a little more respect now. He asks me how i know so much about so many things, with never going to college. My reply: because i have a Masters Degree in common sense (most of the time anyways) & because i learn from my mistakes (most of the time anyways). And, that it is even better when you can learn from OTHER PEOPLES mistakes, BEFORE you make the same ones.
