I'm all about that baste!

Turkey day! Hope all have a wonderful dinner with their families & friends!! Don't forget to remember all the things in your life that you are grateful for!!

Thanksgiving Gratitude & Possibilities

In a couple of days most Americans will celebrate Thanksgiving. This has always been my very favorite holiday, especially since I believe it is very important to pause & take at least one day out of the year to concentrate on what is particularly important to one & to give some serious thought on what is truly meaningful. Not make the concept of "thanksgiving" centric to consumerism, eating or laying around the shack, watching football games. Family has always been most important to me to & this holiday has a way of bringing one's loved one together (usually) for at least a meal. 

I ran into an article this morn about gratitude (see below) written by an individual that recently lost a dear friend in an accident. Guess this article resonated with me, as I too have been struggling with the gradual loss of one of my dearest & closest friends over the last couple of years. 

This friend did not die, but took a path in life that has gradually prevented us from spending time together. What does that mean? Well to use an analogy, friendship is a lot like trying to raise a plant. You have to nurture, water, feed & give time to a plant or the plant will eventually wither & die. Despite good intentions, this friend has spent ever lessening time with our friendship & the plant is withering & will most likely die. 

So what does one do when someone important to them has other priorities? I can only think of a quote from Maya Angelou "Never make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option.” This quote has helped me to reconcile myself to this situation, however painful the thought may be. 

My first reaction was to be frustrated & angry that a relationship I thought so much of was seemingly not equally valued by my friend. My second reaction is to try to understand the whys, which is the so called 'high road' but hard to maintain. I would like to think I can let this friend go, sending warm thoughts of love with this understanding. But this has been very difficult for me. 

Learning to let go should be learned before learning to get. Life should be touched, not strangled. You've got to relax, let it happen at times, and at others move forward with it.~Ray Bradbury

In the end, the decision is out of my control of course. Have noticed I've gone thru the five stages of normal grief that were first proposed by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in her 1969 book “On Death and Dying.” These stages are: 1)Denial and Isolation; 2)Anger; 3)Bargaining; 4)Depression; & 5)Acceptance. Problem is I don't WANT to accept this! But I don't want to remain depressed either. 

In all fairness, I do bear the lion's share of responsibility for the demise of this relationship. I set, shall we say, the wheels in motion for this change. Aren't there always two sides to every story? I should channel negative thoughts to gratitude, instead of playing an endless loop of ruminating the how & whys of this situation.

I AM grateful for this relationship. I have learned so very much from this relationship & am who I am today because of this person. But I am not ready to release this relationship. Yet I must....& so it goes, the endless loop of why, why not, desire, despair, desire, so many monsters (to quote lyrics from Annie Lennox)......Why is it sooo easy to see other's situations & solutions but not our own!!

I read that writing down 5 things one is grateful for at the end of each day will shift the emphasis from what is missing in one's life to what is right in front of one. This seems to be a very powerful tool. I think I will start trying this technique when I do my journal entries. 

So often I am guilty of NOT appreciating what I DO have in my life instead of dwelling on what is "missing".  So my new goal-starting today-is to whenever I catch myself starting down that path of what is NOT going the way I think it should, instead consciously shift my thoughts to the specifics of what IS going well, toward the attitude of gratitude. And to give myself the pep talk I would give to any valued friend. 

I should not lose sight that my life IS EXACTLY what I make of it!! We all can not control much in our lives. Yet we do have the ability to create & direct many aspects of our life into any direction we choose. As Joseph Campbell said, “You must give up the life you planned in order to have the life that is waiting for you.”

I have a dear friend that took control of her life circumstances & redirected them toward living a more authentic life. What an inspiration! She is wildly happy instead of waking up each day, sour on circumstances. Hopefully I can redirect my thoughts & life, keeping her in mind as an example of the possibilities.

Possibilities! Now there is a powerful word! Just thinking of the variety of possibilities one has-just waiting to be considered & explored! Immediately shifts my thoughts from resignation to hope. Now there is a powerful motivation! I am immediately more positive, just thinking of 'possibilities'! 

Thank you Great Mystery for this ray of gratitude! Just think of all the possibilities! 

Happy Thanksgiving to all! 

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Powerful Lessons in Gratitude (from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jamelle-sanders/powerful-lessons-in-grati_b_6157978.html)

As I write this, I am coming to terms with the death of a good friend of mine who was killed in a tragic accident over the weekend. The last 48 hours have been very difficult. My emotions have been on a roller coaster. However, I realize that even in death we have the opportunity to celebrate the beauty of life. Most of us are getting ready for the great holiday that we call Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is always one of my favorite times of the year. I love sitting around the table with family, eating some of my favorite dishes and expressing gratitude for the many blessings in my life. Thanksgiving is not just a once-a-year event. Thanksgiving is a lifestyle that you can cultivate every single day of your life. Gratitude has been the key to every success and every victory in my life. Here are a few secrets about the power of gratitude.

1. Gratitude is the greatest driver of success in your life. I have coached leaders and business professionals and empowered them to achieve great success. However, the first lesson I teach any client is a lesson in gratitude. While some give me a bewildered look, I assure them that this is the key to unlocking a life of success and prosperity. In fact, for almost 20 years I have written down three to five things that I am grateful for every single night. This exercise in gratitude yielded remarkable results. Not only did I find myself more grateful but I found myself reaching greater goals and rising to my greatest potential. Your life will never be the same when you make this practice part of your life.

2. Gratitude is the greatest way to silence the ego. One of the greatest things I learned about gratitude is that it empowers you to get out of our own way. So many times we are being directed by our own desires. We live in a world where everyone is so consumed with me, myself and I. This is not to throw off on any one because I have done the same thing. However, as I really embraced gratitude as a practice in my life it forced me to deal with selfishness. I learned that it is not always about what I want. Gratitude teaches you that things will not always go your way. Gratitude assures you no matter what you go through in your life that something good will come out of it. I found myself losing the "me" perspective and gaining a "we" perspective. Gratitude opens the heart and unleashes the true power of love. Gratitude silences your ego and destroys the seed of selfishness.

3. Gratitude helps you appreciate every moment of your life. As I stated earlier, I just lost a friend in a tragic accident. While loss triggers a number of different responses, no matter how much it hurts gratitude flows from my heart. I am grateful for the opportunity to have known such a great human being. The thing I love about gratitude is that it changes your perspective about life. I am able to be thankful for the beautiful trees. I find myself being thankful for silence. Even more amazing is that I find myself appreciating adversity. I find myself thankful for every trial and every tragedy. I realize that when you can be thankful for every moment of your life you enjoy the beauty of life and you experience life at a different level. We shift from being unconscious, unloving and ungrateful human beings to conscious, compassionate and grateful human beings. Gratitude changes us for the better.

4. Gratitude produces a more meaningful life. We are all on a quest to become the greatest expression of ourselves. No other force empowers us to become our greater selves like gratitude. The more grateful I am the more authentic I become. As human beings the thing we all crave is contentment. We live in a culture that encourages covetousness; however, when you live a heart-centered life your goal is contentment. When you become advanced in the practice of gratitude you will contend against allowing anything to compromise your contentment. Contentment is living at such a place that nothing has the power to move you. When you are content you are not disturbed by the detours of life. Contentment produces peace. Contentment is assurance that everything in your life is working together for your good. Contentment is living in the flow of life.

What 10 Things Should You Do Every Day To Improve Your Life?

Don't want to be "Debbie Downer" after the last couple of posts I put on my blog so thought I'd start off this morn with something more positive. With all the clutter in our lives these days, it is quite difficult to sift through all the chaff to find the "wheat".

The following "10 things that scientific research shows can help improve your life" came from this website: http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/05/what-10-things-should-you-do-every-day-to-imp/

Now all I need to do is actually DO some of them!

1) Get out in nature
You probably seriously underestimate how important this is. (Actually, there’s research that says you do.) Being in nature reduces stress, makes you more creative, improves your memory and may even make you a better person.

2) Exercise
We all know how important this is, but few people do it consistently. Other than health benefits too numerous to mention, exercise makes you smarter, happier, improves sleep, increases libido and makes you feel better about your body. A Harvard study that has tracked a group of men for more than 70 years identified it as one of the secrets to a good life.

3) Spend time with friends and family
Harvard happiness expert Daniel Gilbert identified this as one of the biggest sources of happiness in our lives. Relationships are worth more than you think (approximately an extra $131,232 a year.) Not feeling socially connected can make you stupider and kill you. Loneliness can lead to heart attack, stroke and diabetes. The longest lived people on the planet all place a strong emphasis on social engagement and good relationships are more important to a long life than even exercise. Friends are key to improving your life. Share good news and enthusiastically respond when others share good news with you to improve your relationships. Want to instantly be happier? Do something kind for them.

4) Express gratitude
It will make you happier.
It will improve your relationships.
It can make you a better person.
It can make life better for everyone around you.

5) Meditate
Meditation can increase happiness, meaning in life, social support and attention span while reducing anger, anxiety, depression and fatigue. Along similar lines, prayer can make you feel better — even if you’re not religious.

6) Get enough sleep
You can’t cheat yourself on sleep and not have it affect you. Being tired actually makes it harder to be happy. Lack of sleep = more likely to get sick. “Sleeping on it” does improve decision making. Lack of sleep can make you more likely to behave unethically. There is such a thing as beauty sleep.
Naps are great too. Naps increase alertness and performance on the job,enhance learning ability and purge negative emotions while enhancing positive ones. Here’s how to improve your naps.

7) Challenge yourself
Learning another language can keep your mind sharp. Music lessons increase intelligence. Challenging your beliefs strengthens your mind. Increasing willpower just takes a little effort each day and it’s more responsible for your success than IQ. Not getting an education or taking advantage of opportunities are two of the things people look back on their lives and regret the most.

8) Laugh
People who use humor to cope with stress have better immune systems, reduced risk of heart attack and stroke, experience less pain during dental work and live longer. Laughter should be like a daily vitamin. Just reminiscing about funny moments can improve your relationship. Humor has many benefits.

9) Touch someone
Touching can reduce stress, improve team performance, and help you be persuasive. Hugs make you happier. Sex may help prevent heart attacks and cancer, improve your immune system and extend your life

10) Be optimistic
Optimism can make you healthier, happier and extend your life. The Army teaches it in order to increase mental toughness in soldiers. Being overconfident improves performance.

The List: A to Z Survival for the Abysmal Times Ahead

I liked the below A to Z list, simply because I thought this was clever! Whether you consider yourself a "prepper", a survivalist or simply someone that tries to be as self-sufficient as possible (like me), perhaps we can all glean some insight from this write up!

The direct link to below is: (http://www.shtfplan.com/emergency-preparedness/the-list-a-to-z-survival-for-the-abysmal-times-ahead_06022012)

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It seems like no matter how well someone prepares, they inevitably find out they have forgotten something.  That all important item or items that aren’t “remembered”, that merely only have to be mentioned by name to remind a person of what they needed.   Most of the time when someone forgets an article of clothing or other minor object after beginning a vacation they can easily replace it or live without it. After a calamitous event, however, anything that a person has forgotten to store will likely be be impossible to obtain.  What someone has in their possession at the time of the event is probably the ONLY thing they will be able to get.

The following list of A to Z survival items and survival related concepts details what one may have simply forgotten because there’s so much to prepare for. Kind of like; “oh yeah, I am glad that something reminded me of what I need”, or “that’s something I never thought of and I will need it”.   Most everyone will, of course, not be able to amass everything on this list, and there will of course be items and ideas not mentioned here, but it should be a good place to start for beginners and seasoned preppers alike.  A person can always add more to any list of their own essential needs, as lists such as this are almost endless.  It should also be realized that no list of survival items and ideas are perfect for any individual, and just because someone has just a portion of what is on it doesn’t mean that they are not prepared.

The goal here is to have a general inventory of “key words” that have to do with prepping and survival that have very brief descriptions and short reasons behind why they are so important regarding survival preparedness.  The aim is to keep each survival and prepping word or set of words as compact as possible – that is, to not bog down anyone with lengthy explanations that could easily fill an encyclopedia size book.  When the prepper/survivalist sees a word in relation to preparing it can and does trigger an automated response that brings thoughts of whether they need or do not need to do something about it in their own planning.

This A to Z list of survival should help in that process.

A

- Ability and adept – the more skills you have the better.

- Able bodied – being physically fit helps anyone.

- Accumulate – tiny amounts eventually add up to a lot.

- Action – you should not put off what you need to do.

- Adaptability – to survive people will need to adapt.

- Advice – there is much good sound advice out there, seek it out.

- Aftermath – this is what is the longest and most difficult to survive.

- Air circulation – plan for this in ALL environments.

- Alcohol – both drinking and rubbing alcohol for sterilizing, wonderful barter items.

- Alarms – something to alert you to potential hazards

- Alive – the more supplies someone has to more likely they will say alive.

- Alone – prepare for this possibility of being completely without anyone around.

- Altitude – the higher up someone can be within reason to more they can see.

- Aluminum wrap – uses from wrapping up items to EMP protection to cooking.

- Ambush – prepare for this possibility when you are venturing outside.

- Ammunition – for your own firearms to fantastic barter item, get as much as you can.

- Anarchy – the likely scenario after most wide spread catastrophes, prepare for it.

- Anemia – something that most be guarded against, preventable with good food.

- Antennas – any radio needs extension receiving or transmission of weak signals.

- Antibiotics – natural or synthetic are an absolute must to store up.

- Aquaculture – consider fish farming, hydroponic vegetable growing if there’s nearby water.

- Aspirin – pain killer and blood thinners will be high in demand after a disaster.

- Attitude – keeping an upbeat mood with help those around you.

- Automobile – everything to keep it running as far as possible, a car first aid kit.

B

- Backpacks – make sure these are sturdy and don’t stress out your body.

- Bags – everything from trash, storage, sandbags, space bags.

- Baking soda – cooking and many other uses including helping to neutralize acids.

- Band aids – there will be many cuts that need to be covered up.

- Barbeque – this can be fire pits, gas grills, or whatever to cook and heat up something.

- Barrels and baskets – so many uses from water storage to collection of so much you need.

- Barriers – this is anything such as barbed wire to slow or stop an intruder.

- Barter – the new business for many that everyone needs to become quite adept at.

- Batteries – rechargeable are the best batteries but disposable ones are also good to have.

- Beasts of burden – may be the ONLY way to move anything heavy, the new “horsepower”.

- Bees – increase the yield of crops and get honey if you can care for them.

- Beans – so many different varieties with so much fiber and protein to them.

- Beneficial – try to aim for the better good of yourself and your survival group.

- Bicycle – actually the bicycle is one of the most efficient vehicles there is.

- Binoculars – aim for the most “light” gathering models, usually with the larger lenses.

- Bizarre – prepare yourselves for the ultimate weird and totally unexpected.

- Blankets – worth their weight many times over.

- Bleach – probably one of the top survival items that there is.

- Boats – this can be canoes, kayaks, etc. to transport you and your supplies to safety.

- Boil – still one the best ways to kill bacteria and other pathogen in water.

- Booby traps – to protect yourself and your supplies, but watch out for them set by others.

- Books – there was something that people used before the internet, which were books.

- Borax – a good cleaner for many items.

- Bottles – too many uses to mention.

- Bow and arrows – silent and can be a good alternative to those that cannot get firearms.

- Boxes – even the cardboard type offers economical ways of storing your supplies.

- Brackets – consider them to vertically help in stacking of supplies.

- Brain – your best asset with prepping and survival.

- Brooms – don’t be without it, especially if you have much disaster debris to clean up.

- Brushes – everything from hair to paint to scrub brushes, don’t be without them.

- Budget – always try to put extra items for survival into the family budget, it will be worth it.

- Bug out and Bug in – think this over a lot before SHTF.

- Bulk – large items can be cheaper, but some may be too large and can’t be used at once.

- Bundle – consolidate as much as you can to save space.

- Bungee cords – good for securing things down, especially when travelling.

- Bury – still one of the best ways to hide what you consider valuable.

- Busy – find a way to keep yourself from becoming bore to death after a disaster.

- Butcher and slaughter – an unpleasant task for many but a skill people should know.

C

- Calculations – know how much you have and how long it will last.

- Calm – the more relaxed you can remain the easier you can handle a true nightmare.

- Calorie intake – make sure you are getting enough food so you don’t waste away.

- Camouflage and concealment – one of the top aspects of survival, don’t be seen.

- Camping – most of what people experience camping can help them in survival.

- Candles – this is something that you just can’t have enough of.

- Candy – not much nutrition but can be uplifting and a good barter item.

- Canned goods – so much comes in cans, even butter and cheese.

- Canning – excellent economical way of storing food, especially from the garden.

- Can openers – the manual ones everyone should have lots of.

- Canteens – still an excellent way of carrying smaller amounts of water.

- Canvas – clothes that take a beating from the elements and keep on going.

- Capsules – empty gelatin capsules are good ways of swallowing things that tastes bad.

- Carbon monoxide detector – battery operated, wise choice to get one.

- Cash – even cash money will have some use from some merchant willing to take it.

- Caution – being careful is most of the time the most logical course of action.

- Caves – being aware of hazards in caves, still can be the safest place to shelter someone.

- Cereal – not usually a long term survival item, but still not bad for several months storage.

- Charcoal – wonderful item for cooking as it can be used under primitive conditions.

- Children – younger people need more care and understanding to get through bad times.

- Chocolate – has some health properties and is a good sweet to trade things for.

- Chopping equipment – don’t be without it.

- Cigarettes – this is something that someone that smokes must have and will barter to get.

- Circulation – make sure your body gets exercise; sitting around for days is not good.

- Civil defense – an art almost lost that communities need to begin practicing again, now.

- Clean – the cleaner you, others and the environment is the less problems you will have.

- Climate – know where you are or where you are going, understand the climate.

- Clothes lines and clothes pins – many uses with them.

- Clothing – don’t forget what you need to wear and keeping your clothes clean as possible.

- Comfort – don’t forget to include those items that can cheer you up during bad times.

- Communications- most likely going to be down, people need to prepare for this.

- Compost – if you plan on growing anything, learn how to compost what you have.

- Compass – even cheap ones, because this may be the only way to travel around.

- Condition yourself – try to acclimate yourself to wherever you are or going to.

- Contagious – there are going to be some very bad germs everywhere, ready yourself.

- Containers – using your imagination for your needs you will find you need many containers.

- Contraceptives – even if you have no use for them, many others will and will barter for it.

- Cookware and cookbooks – simply put, don’t be without them, especially sturdy cookware.

- Coolers – not just for keeping things cold, can also be used to keep things from freezing.

- Cooling – evaporative cooling and good air circulation can aid a lot in keeping people cool.

- Cooperation – everyone in a survival group needs to work together for the group.

- Cots – even fold up beds to get people off the ground when sleeping or resting.

- Cotton – very breathable material, cotton balls also have many uses.

- Couponing – just like money, the more you use the more of something else you can afford.

- Cutting equipment – like chopping devices, almost a certain survival need.

D

- Death and dying – something people must handle after a disaster, prepare for this.

- Decontamination – it may be necessary to prevent spread of germs and toxins.

- Defense – something that must be planned for by all in a survival group.

- Dehydrated food – drying foods with a dehydrator or using the sun, even purchasing it.

- Denial – some people will continue to deny “it” has happened, something to deal with.

- Dental care – toothpaste, dental floss, toothbrushes, and others, don’t be without it.

- Deodorizers – it makes a confined stay much easier when bad smells are not everywhere.

- Depression and despair – an issue everyone will face either with themselves or others.

- Detection – you should be able to know what is around you that can harm you.

- Diapers – any infant in the group needs these, still a very good barter item.

- Dinnerware – it is awful to have to eat everything without forks, knives, spoons.

- Disease – this is going to be rampant everywhere, take precautions for this.

- Dishes and glasses – plates, bowls, glasses and cups from eating and drinking.

- Disinfectant – to prevent disease and sickness, from hand sanitizers to sprays.

- Disguise – try to hide yourself by also your retreat the best you can from others.

- Diversity – don’t put all your eggs in one basket; have back up plans and places.

- Dogs – for guarding and watching along with companionship to consider.

- Downwind – try not to be downwind with any smells that alert others to what you have.

- Dust pans – mini shovels, sturdy enough to help collect debris and dirt and dust.

E

- Eye glasses – extra prescription glasses for those that need it, sunglasses for glare.

- Ear and eye protection – loud noises can deafen and loose particles can blind.

- Economical – being frugal has many advantages as everything lasts longer.

- Edible – find out in your area everything you can that is eatable and safe.

- Educate – continue to find out as much as you can about everything about survival.

- Eggs – can be raised yourself and/or found in nests around your area, good protein.

- Electricity – can be generated from wind, water, solar, or other means.

- Emergency kits – many on the market or you can build one yourself.

- EMP – electro-magnetic-pulse – guard against it, Faraday cages for one.

- Entertainment – especially for children, games, something to break up boredom.

- Entrances – everywhere something can get in is a potential danger spot, guard them.

- Envelopes – storage of records, papers, information, seeds, many others.

- Environment – know it well wherever you are.

- Epsom Salts – one of the best items for infections and cleansing.

- Escape – having plans to get out of situations is wise.

- Experience – the more someone can get the more natural problem solving comes.

- Extra – that little more that is added to what someone considers adequate enough.

F

- Faith – no matter what someone believes, this higher power can give strength to people.

- Fallout and bomb shelter – these structures are excellent for other disasters.

- Farming and harvest equipment – if you plan to grow crops you need these tools.

- Favorite foods – the more enjoyable some of the food you have, the stressful it will be.

- Fear and panic – it is likely to be intense with almost everyone, prepare now for it.

- Feminine needs – without these bacteria septic problems can develop with women.

- Fiber – constipation is something no one needs to go through on top of a disaster.

- Files – there is much that needs to be kept, like medical records, safe and accessible.

- Filters – from water to coffee to anything, filters are needed for much.

- Fire – know how to start one and maintain one.

- Firearms – the more the better.

- First aid kit – the more elaborate the kit is the more people you can treat with quality care.

- Fishing – knowing how to fish well will be a survival skill most can use for food.

- Fishing equipment – everything that goes with it, fishing line also “has many other uses.

- Flashlights – LED, it just seems like you can never have enough.

- Flour – almost everyone can use flour and a lot of it.

- Focus – one of the most important survival traits.

- Food – store it and then store more.

- Footwear- different terrains mean different shoes, boots, socks, and foot padding.

- Four food groups – the more balanced someone’s diet is the less health problems.

- Four wheel drive – if you can get it or know someone trustworthy with you, do it.

- Forage – like the animals that make their living off it, become an expert at this.

- Forest – consideration, most people have one nearby, good place to hide and find food.

- Free – a prepper philosophy, never to pass up an opportunity to get usable things for free.

- Freeze dried foods – can be expensive, but are lightweight and very convenient.

- Fruit – never forget to try to get some fruit in your diet, edible berries are in nature.

- Fuel, fuel storage – gas, propane, whatever powers machines are nice to have in reserve.

- Funnels – makes pouring liquids and even powders so much easier into containers.

G

- Garage sales – estate sales, auctions, flea markets, to get good survival items cheaper.

- Garbage and trash – find safe ways of disposing of it before it becomes a big problem.

- Garden tools – planning to grow food even on small scale, you will need these.

- Gathering – like foraging, there is plenty in the outdoors that can be collected.

- Glue and adhesives – people will need to stick many items back together.

- Germs – they are everywhere and will spread rapidly with everything dead and dying.

- Gloves – not just for warmth, also for hand protection from picking up sharp objects.

- Gold – even when it seems like no money is accepted, someone will accept gold.

- Grains – might be harder to obtain after a wide spread disaster, good item to store.

- Grain mill, manual – when you have grains you likely will have to mill them down for use.

- Grief and sorrow – expect to lose those around you; family, friends, neighbors.

- Guard – what some group may have to do 24 hours a day, animals can help in the duty.

- Gun – stun guns, air guns, hand guns, shot guns, can’t go wrong with more self defense.

H

- Hardware – everything from screws to nails, just look at your local hardware store.

- Hats – the head is the one part of the body that some people forget needs protecting.

- Hatchets, axes – if a person only gets one chopping tool, let it be an ax of some sort.

- Health – this is essential to keep someone going, much attention must be given to this.

- Heat – almost every place gets cool enough to be uncomfortable, take this into account.

- Healing – the more you have available, the quicker anyone is sick is going to heal.

- HEPA air filters – there will be a lot of air toxins, filtering that air is important if you can.

- Herbs – can help cure ailments and make food taste much better.

- Hide and hideout – many people will need to hide to stay alive for awhile.

- Hoist – makes lifting something heavy much easier.

- Holsters – a lot easier to carry fire arms or other self defense on your body.

- Honey – can be stored almost forever, many uses like treating bee and wasps stings.

- Hope – what having survival supplies gives people.

- Horticulture – learn as much about growing food as possible.

- Humidity – a very important factor with dehydration and staying warmer in the cold.

- Hydrogen peroxide – still one of the best first aid remedies there is.

- Hygiene- preventative health care, the cleaner your body is the less chance of illness.

I

- Ideas – always look for new ones to help your survival and preparing, they are out there.

- Illness – the faster someone deals with sickness the less drastic it will be, don’t let it go.

- Immune System – the stronger it is the stronger and more likely to fight off becoming sick.

- Improvise – be inventive and find solutions, this takes practice.

- Improvement – always the goal is to make your preparedness better, more survivable.

- Insect repellent – this is an item that everyone will be so thankful to have.

- Instant food products – much of this is sold in the supermarket, it is easy and lightweight.

- Insulation – learning how to use insulation on a person and a place is so important.

- Insurance – this is all that you have stored up, real tangible life insurance.

- Intuition – this is using your wits and that something that tells you it is wrong or right.

- Inverter – with 12 volt batteries you can power small devices that are plugged in.

- Iodized salt – this is a necessary nutrient that keeps a person alive, don’t be without it.

- Isolation – probably the best idea in most situations, less competition for what remains.

- Itch remedies – there are plenty of things that are going to make you itch a lot.

J

- Jack of all trades – may be no one to fix what breaks, become diverse at repair work.

- Jacks – a good jack that can lift your car quickly to fix it makes practical sense to have.

- Jackets and coats – all weather, especially water repellent, and heavy jackets for the cold.

- Jerry-rig it – people will need to come up with all sorts of contraptions and be good at it.

- Judgment – always use good judgment and think before you leap and make decisions.

- Juice – nutrition can be obtained through canned and bottled juices, good item to store.

K

- Kindling – know how to collect and what to look for to start a fire.

- Kitchenware – there are many utensils to make cooking a lot easier.

- Knives – including machetes, folding, for cutting foods, try to have all kinds.

- Knowledge – the more you know and can retain, the more likely you will survive.

L

- Ladders – most forget about this one, folding and compact ladders are a good choice.

- Lanterns – battery operated, gas or other fuel, even wind up, are nice sources of light.

- Laundry accessories – probably no washing machines, clothes should still be washed.

- Lawlessness – don’t depend on the police to protect you, it likely won’t happen.

- Liberty – your freedom depends on not selling yourself to someone else to eat.

- Lifeline – your supplies and what you can make, find, trade for, etc. is your lifeline.

- Light – don’t take for granted that there will always be light, well stock anti-dark supplies.

- Lighters, lighter fluid – without chemical help, wet conditions make it hard to start a fire.

- Liquid – not just water can hydrate a person, other liquids such as milk, juice, others can.

- Livestock – eventually survivors are going to be keeping animals for food, learn how to.

- Loss – people need to ready themselves for some loss of something dear to them.

M

- Magnesium fire starters – a survival item that gets a lot of use for minimum money spent.

- Magnifying glass – every survival kit needs at least one of these.

- Maps – probably forget about GPS, the old fashioned maps to know where you are going.

- Masks – gas, respiratory both (N-95 and N-100), your lungs and breathing need protection.

- Matches – paper and wood types, this is something that everyone must have.

- Measuring devices – weight, distance, size, and people still will have to know how big it is.

- Meat – even vegetarians might have to eat some form of meat, have meats available.

- Meat grinder – one tool that will be much appreciated to own.

- Mechanical know how – repair work on any machine still working is inevitable.

- Medical knowledge and medical equipment – all too important.

- Metallurgy – people that can weld and shape metal will be a lot better off.

- Meticulous – well organized preparation and supplies saves time and effort.

- Milk – in cans, powdered form, or dairy cows and other mammals such as goats.

- Minerals – proper nutrition and very survival depends on humans getting enough minerals.

- Mirrors – for signaling, but also for seeing where the eyes can’t such as behind you.

- Mobile – people may have to remain moving with hopefully your supplies going with you.

- Modify – as situations change your plans will also likely change, be ready for this.

- Money – whatever someone else will accept in payment, precious metals still rule.

- MRE’s or meals ready to eat – these keep for many years and are quite handy.

- Multi-tools – small enough to carry and so many uses all in a fold up device.

- Multivitamins – an excellent supplement to what you might not be getting in foods.

N

- Nasal spray – especially saline solution, one of the best ways of cleaning out the sinuses.

- Native – become as familiar as a native to any new area as possible.

- Nature – try to live off it as much as you can, as it is renewable.

- Navigation – learn how to use landmarks, the sun, and the stars to guide you around.

- Necessities – prioritize what you need the most; try to stock up on these items the most.

- Nest egg – what you have stored and can immediately be made available to you.

- Never – as in never should you stop stocking up when you can and have the room to.

- News – try to keep yourself as updated as you can, you don’t want to be caught off guard.

- Newspaper – good kindling and insulation, also good for wrapping things with.

- Nighttime – plan for the darkness and the fact that many predators stalk those at night.

- Night vision equipment – being able to see more at night gives anyone an advantage.

- Noise – try your best to keep any sound to the minimum and sound travels far and away.

- Noise makers – whistles, horns, anything with sharp piercing decibels are a defense.

- Nutrition – EVERY survival food supply should take this essential need in consideration.

- Nuts – high protein and excellent calorie counts, plus they keep usable for longer times.

O

- Observation – obtain as much as you can perceive; sight, sound, smell, feel, taste.

- Oil – all sorts for; cooking, heating, lamps, lubrication, and many other uses.

- Open-minded – often someone to move on anything has to be open to it first.

- Organization – uses color coding, numbers, anything to know what you have.

- Out of the way – the outback and away from high density populations are good options.

- Outdoors – something anyone may have to live and deal with, learn how to live it.

- Outline – any good survival plan has a well defined structured summary of what to do.

- Oxygen – many safe places lack air for all the people, these needs to be addressed.

- Oven – it can be a solar, brick, gas, wood, Dutch, an oven is an excellent survival tool.

P

- Padlocks – can at very least slow down a thief or intruder from getting in.

- Pantry – a full pantry is one of the most secure feelings.

- Paper – people will need to write down information, write down without computers.

- Paper towels – here is an item that filters, cleans up messes, so many uses.

- Parachute cord – paracord is extremely strong and thin enough for many, many uses.

- Paraffin – for making candles with and for sealing off foods with wax such as cheeses.

- Pasta – long shelf life and can be combined with lots of different foods.

- Pectin – for fruit preserves and other foods, also quite effective controlling diarrhea.

- Pencils and pens – what people will need when there are no modern electronics left.

- Pepper spray – non-lethal stopping power, especially for areas that prohibit firearms.

- Pest control – so necessary to control disease, every survival supply needs some.

- Pet preparation – for those with pets, they need to have food and needs stockpiled.

- Pharmaceuticals – the drug stores will be closed and ransacked.

- Physically fit – the more in shape your body is the more you can take and act.

- Pins – safety and regular straight pins for fastening objects.

- Plant life – know what you can eat and can’t and the medicinal benefits of plants.

- Platinum – still one of the precious metals that can be used to purchase what you need.

- Potassium iodine (iodide) – after radiation starts this must be used to protect the thyroid.

- Preserving – using pressure cookers, fermentation pots, pickling, drying, etc.

- Protection – absolutely essential, consider all sorts of weapons and defensive training.

- Psychology – people around someone are going to freak out and have to be helped.

- Pumps – to get liquids to where you need them to go, non-electric hand pumps especially.

- PVC piping – this to hide your valuables vertically in the ground, with watertight lids.

Q

- Quagmire – try never to get bogged down anywhere that is no longer safe to be.

- Quality – you usually get what you paid for, the better quality usually the longer it lasts.

- Quantity – the more you have, the longer you will last before times become desperate.

- Quarantine – a sign put up with this on it can and does deter people from your place.

- Quick action – the more rapid you can move, the quicker you can establish safety.

- Quiet – as little noise as possible as sound will travel much distance.

- Quik clot hemostatic agent – this is something that can stop bleeding from deep wounds.

R

- Radiation knowledge – detection and knowing how to shield yourself from it.

- Radios – shortwave and conventional may be the ONLY way to get information and news.

- Raingear – everything to keep someone dry, excessive moisture leads to skin problems.

- Ration – every survival plan should have a way of dividing up food and supplies.

- Razors – in all forms, the sharper the better in many cases for cutting things.

- Recovery – the more prepared someone is the more likely they will be part of the recovery.

- Refrigeration – even without electricity you can keep things cold, ice house is one way.

- Reload – sporting goods still will not be around; your ammunition might be used quickly.

- Remedies – there are natural and manmade ones that can lives, read up of them.

- Replacement parts – spare parts are so valuable, especially when there are no stores.

- Replenish – always try to replace what supplies you use while you still can.

- Rescue – don’t expect to be saved for indefinite amounts of time, be well prepared.

- Rice – one food that can be bought and stored in large bulk.

- Rifle – every firearm stockpile needs one or more, high powered air rifles are good also.

- Risk management – know what endangers you and your groups and act accordingly.

- Rope – different strands and strengths for different projects.

- Rotate – can be difficult but it is so worth it to keep what should be fresh when you need it.

S

- Sacrifice – some of this is necessary to accumulate supplies to survive for tomorrow.

- Safety – always aim for the safest path for everyone in you survival group.

- Sales – always look for anything to alert you to when you can save money on survival.

- Salt – even bags of rock salt will be very high in demand where salt is not readily around.

- Salvage – there are many very usable parts in what others would consider junk.

- Sanitation – much effort MUST be contributed to this essential survival necessity.

- Scarce – what was once plentiful will be little or nothing in supply, stock up before this.

- Scarves – for tying down things, along with being used for neck and head covering.

- Scavenge and scrounge – learn to see what you can use for later just lying around.

- Science and math – problems are easier to solve with good science and math know how.

- Scissors – small to large, cutting is usually made easier with sharp scissors.

- Screens – keep out insects, sieve things, metal screen can be used to protect from EMP.

- Sealers – all sorts of uses but especially to plug leaks.

- Security – always look for ways to better secure yourself and what you have.

- Seeds – if you plan to grow anything, get good quality seeds and airtight protect them.

- Seriousness – never underestimate just how horrible a disaster can become.

- Sewing equipment – thread, needles, etc., and possibly even a manual sewing machine.

- Shade – direct sunlight can drive up the temperature a lot; think about the issue of shade.

- Shampoo – your hair needs to be cleaned occasionally when there is extra water to do so.

- Sharpeners – cutting equipment that is sharp cuts down on time and effort cutting things.

- Shields – armor, barriers, anything to safeguard against projectiles and other threats.

- Shoe laces – nice to have when shoes laces on shoes and boots wear out.

- Shooting range – become as proficient with your firearms as you can, practice a lot.

- Shovels – all sizes and very necessary, don’t forget show shovels are not just for snow.

- Shower – good way to stay clean, camping solar showers type bags or make it yourself.

- Signaling devices – flags, mirrors, noise, bright lights, anything to get attention.

- Silver – a precious metal that is going to be accepted by some merchant.

- Siphon – getting liquids to where you need it.

- Siren- air horns, anything to create a lot of sudden noise.

- Skin care – so many different irritants that can cause skin problems, how aliments stored.

- Sleep aids – natural and others can also help with depression.

- Soap – try to aim for anti-bacterial based soaps, learn how to make your own soap.

- Soil – know it well before attempting to grow crops.

- Solar power – from cookers to recharging to immediate power, something to consider.

- Soup – good way of adding what you have to make a meal, also canned soups.

- Space – know how much space you have to work with people and supplies.

- Sponges – use for cleaning and for sponge baths when there is little water.

- Storage – try to make it airtight and cool and dry as possible.

- Stoves – many are on the market, people can build their own out of scrape supplies.

- Stress – find out beforehand the best way to help people in your group how to handle it.

- Suddenness – so many disasters come on without warning and instantly, get ready for this.

- Sugar – this has to be one of the top items used and sought after by others.

- Sun – think about angles when planting, times between sunrise and sunset, etc.

- Surprise – few people deal with the unexpected unless they ready themselves for it.

- Survival stores – they are going to sell most of what you’re going to need, check them out.

T

- Tables – folding and sturdy enough to hold some weight and not wobbly.

- Tape – from duct to masking to scotch and others, don’t be without it.

- Tarpaulins (tarps) – can be used to collect water, cover things, and many other uses.

- Tenderizer – really tough meat needs this, medical uses also.

- Tents – try to go with canvas, other tents rip too easily.

- Thermal protection – hot pads, guards against flames, anything to prevent being burned.

- Thermometers – to tell someone’s temperature, to tell any temperature.

- Thrifty – getting good used survival supplies when you can at cheap prices.

- Ties – especially plastic ties that lock, ties help keep objects bundled together and in place.

- Tinder – know where to look for tinder and what to look for to help start a fire.

- Tires – having extra tires for your escape vehicle is a good idea and a tire inflating pump.

- Toilet – chemical toilet, composting toilet, anything to safely dispose of human waste.

- Toilet paper – the more you have the better, easily also a top barter item.

- Tomato related – tomato sauce and pieces is so versatile with cooking, have lots of it.

- Tools – everything you get will help someone fix something.

- Topography – know how to read a topographic map and know the terrain you in.

- Toughness – times are going to be really tough, try to become mentally durable.

- Towels – you may not be able to do much wash, having extra towels will help.

- Toxins – there will be plenty after most disasters and must be avoided if at all possible.

- Trailers – both livable and those that allow you to move your supplies.

- Transmitters – whatever you can use to get your message out; CB, ham, whatever.

- Traps – this can be for animals and for people also, much caution here must be taken.

- Trouble – expect this when you have something someone desperate needs.

U

- Ultimate goal – is should be to have everything you need or most of it, good goal to aim for.

- Underground – survival may depend on as much mass between you and the outside.

- Underwear – long johns can keep a person warm; keep underwear as clean as possible.

- Unique – each survival group and their planning and what they have.

- Unity – an important issue that people should get along well in any survival group.

- Universal – the more adaptable parts are the easier to fix devices it will be.

- Update – like on a computer, try to keep yourself updated about what is happening.

- Upwind – try to remain upwind from any potential threat to you.

V

- Valleys and depressions – is where cold air sinks, water collects rapidly, be careful here.

- Value – always look for the best possible value on anything.

- Valves – for controlling air, gas, and liquid flows, having spare ones is a very good idea.

- Vaporizer – this can save someone having breathing problems.

- Vault – a secure fireproof safe(s) for what cannot be replaced, like your firearms.

- Vegetables – in cans, growing them and finding them, a high priority for any survival.

- Vehicles – anything that can move you and your supplies.

- Venomous animals – no treatment at medical facilities, something to be very wary about.

- Vinegar – every survival plan needs vinegar, for treating people to cleaning to much more.

- Vitamins – people need to get enough vitamins or they develop life threatening illnesses.

W

- Wagons – can help move a lot, not just a child’s toy.

- Warmth – everyone needs to be kept warm enough, supplies should address this.

- Washboard – one of the items that everyone should have, it works.

- Waste – something that piles up and leads to vermin and disease, and must be dealt with.

- Watches and clocks – wind up are best, you will still need to know the time.

- Water – make sure you have access to a dependable constant source, no matter what.

- Watertight – the more moisture you can keep out the longer your supplies will remain.

- Weaknesses – attempt to find them and fix them as fast as you can.

- Weapons – on top of the obvious, use your imagination for some other effective ones.

- Weather – learn how to forecast it with a decent degree of accuracy, get a barometer.

- Weather proving – hold back as much of the outside elements as possible.

- Wells – one way of having a possible dependable source of water.

- Wheat – where you get your bread from.

- Wind break – something to think about to reduce the cold and severe weather.

- Windows – one of the most vulnerable part of any survival retreat, need to be secured.

- Wipes – so convenient and makes clean up so much more efficient.

- Wood – dried wood is still one of the best and most obtainable sources of fuel there is.

- Wringer – makes clothes easier to dry out after they have been washed.

X

- Xenophobia – survival is going to mean being leery of others that want what you have.

Y

- Yardage and yarn – fabric to make clothes, blankets, coverings, and other needs.

- Year round planning – a survival plan should take into account all days of the year.

- Yeast – bread and other baking will sometimes need yeast to help it rise.

Z

- Zeal or enthusiasm – people that know their prepping is all worth it, a good uplifting feeling.

- Zero hour – the time in which you hunker down and wait it out in safety of your place.

- Zipper and zip lock bags – a true necessity for keeping items dry, clean, and airtight.

- Zones – know exactly where your best individual survival chances will be at.