The Edges of Survival

Do you have that "extra edge" that marks you as a natural survivor? Many of us already have "It" and don't realize it yet, or maybe it just needs a little polishing, or a lot. It's hard to carve the outcome of any situation with a dull knife. Sharpen your personal "survival knife" with these "honing stones" or attributes, for that extra edge to help you cut through the toughest problems.



PERSISTENCE

Never give up, even if it looks absolutely hopeless. Doors may open, sometimes when and where you least expect it. If you have given up and your mind is closed, you may not see it when another door has been opened.


PAY ATTENTION

Maintain a relaxed awareness, so that you don't miss the little things that could become really big things, if ignored. Do not relax or zone out so much that important 'reality checks' find you asleep at the wheel. On the other hand, if you get too frazzled, your emotions can cloud your vision. Learn how to put your emotions on hold, so you can deal with survival issues, and maintain clear vision.


TRUST YOUR GUT FEELINGS

Your instincts are there for a protection. Sometimes the consequences of ignoring them can be tragic. Survival instincts can be developed and finely tuned by absorbing knowledge. See KNOWLEDGE, below.


HUMOR

"Laughter is like changing a baby's diaper. It doesn't permanently solve any problems, but it makes things more acceptable for a while." I love this little proverb, because it is so true. It goes real well with the S part of SHTF, too.

(If you are not familiar with the abbreviation SHTF, here's a hint: Stuff Hits The Fan.)


OPTIMISM

If you dig deep enough, hard enough and long enough, you can find something good in almost anything, even if it is only a lesson learned. Optimism means seeing a little ray of hope shining in a hopeless situation. If your eyes can't see any light, then look for it with your mind. Lost your mind? Then look for it with your heart. Disheartened? Then look for it with your soul.


CHILL OUT

Cultivate the art of staying calm and detached from the crisis of the day. Keeping your cool in a volitile situation is of utmost importance. Panic can kill, or at the very least, wear you down.


KNOWLEDGE

This is the foundation of survival. Build on it from from reputable books, the wisdom of the Scriptures, respected internet sites, your own experiences, and that of other fellow students in the "School of Hard Knocks". This in turn, leads to being more self-reliant.


PREPARATION

Start preparing for life's uncertainties now, if you have not already. If you are limited in circumstances, then prepare by building your knowledge. Someday, your 'know-how' could become very, very valuable to others. This knowledge could open new horizons and avenues for your survival. It can also mean your downfall, so be discreet about what you know and have.


FLEXIBILITY

Best laid plans are great, but don't set them in stone. Always make several alternate plans, because circumstances can quickly change. Abandon plans as soon as you find out they won't work well. You can't ride a dead horse, so get off of it before it starts to stink.


GOOD SPIRITUAL HEALTH

Having good spiritual health is the very best glue for holding yourself together. By their very nature, material preparations are so temporary. After they are gone, what is left? So, in that light, focus on prepping your mind, and your spiritual health. The two often go hand in hand, along with courage, which is often said to be 'fear that has said its prayers'.


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This article is an excerpt from Mrs. Tightwad's Handbook #1: HOW TO SURVIVE DISASTERS AND OTHER HARD TIMES. For more information, see the left sidebar on this site: http://purecajunsunshine.blogspot.com/