Long Term Practical Self Reliance

There is no possible way to address the myriad facets that are contained in this subject in a brief article or in a series of brief articles. I admit that up front. The subject matter is entirely too vast. I will also admit that I make no boastful claim to being an authority on the subject. I will admit that I have a lot of years of experience where the subject matter is concerned.

I will also admit that my experience is in the realm of the common man … that realm where available cash is not flowing abundantly and time is spent in a gallant attempt to manage the constant demands and dictates of life. It is the realm where fame and fortune do not exist and likely never will. This, I believe, is the realm where most of us live, move, and have our being.

The realm of the common man is not a bad realm to be in. It has its challenges. I consider that these challenges are all the more reason for the commoner to take the necessary steps involved in becoming as self-reliant as possible. Every step taken … every challenge overcome … is one more step away from dependency upon others and fickle systems that delude us into thinking that we can’t take care of ourselves.

Systems exist because we allow them their existence by subserviently supporting them and playing by their rules. We will never be able to totally divorce ourselves from the systems.  However, the more self-reliant we become the better able we are to dance with these systems without winding up intoxicated, seduced, and in bed with them.

Self-reliance does not involve the investment of a fortune. It is not free either. There is an investment of hard earned financial resources. There is a generous investment of precious time. Becoming self-reliant involves a lot of prioritizing. It involves a great deal of redirecting our attention and energies. Sacrifice? That is a perspective thing. I do not consider it to be so. Some may.

What I have noticed over the years is that the less I play by the rules of the various systems … the less I fit into the greater scheme of things and the smaller my circle of close relationships grows. Subservient system folks don’t understand this life. There is no kindred ground to stand upon. They question. There is the drawing back and silent rejection. That stuff kind of hurt my feelings at one time but I grew quite comfortable being an odd duck quacking differently than the large flock on the pond.

It is one thing to prepare for some kind of short-term disaster that takes the power out for a few days or a few weeks. It takes some consideration and planning but it is easily doable. Same thing with putting together a bug-out or get-home bag. We discover a horse of a different color when we start talking about a long-term situation involving months or possibly years. A lot of people consider the idea laughable.

Me?

I reside at the other end of the measuring stick and do so without apology. I make no apology in saying that people are foolish to not have a few months of food stored. There’s a lot of things that people can get along without. Food is not one of them. 50 pounds of rice, 50 pounds of beans, and 10 pounds of salt can be procured at Walmart for close to a Benjamin. That’s a lot of basic sustenance for a small investment.

Another is water. Large containers of water are bulky and weigh a lot. A means to collect and process water to make it potable is a really good idea. That’s one reason I’ve been reluctant to get rid of that aluminum boat out by the shed. It sits there on “stand-by.” A poly tarp (or piece of plastic) hung on some sticks will fill it with rain water in a matter of a few minutes.

Over the course of the next several articles we’ll touch on some important areas associated with long term self reliance. The subject matter, based upon my own garnered perspective, will briefly address the subjects of tools, skills, knowledge, and experience.