What If the Life Changing Event You Experience Isn’t One You’ve Prepared For?

August 24th, 2012 |

Life is full of surprises. Sometimes they’re happy ones. Other times they’re downright unpleasant. And a life changing event can come along which we’re simply not prepared for, inspite of our best prepping efforts.

It doesn’t have to be a natural disaster or economic upheaval either. As James Talmage Stevens (aka Doctor Prepper) has put it, an event in our personal lives can come along that ends the world as we know it.

That was the emphasis a couple of weeks ago when I interviewed Donna Miller on DestinySurvival Radio for August 9, 2012, about her family’s year of hardship. She said to be ready for something you haven’t prepared for, and to be ready for the uncertainty it brings.

Health matters certainly qualify as life changers. Whether you know someone who’s been through a major medical event, or whether you’ve been through one yourself, you know what I’m talking about.

Four weeks ago my good friend Gerald had a heart attack, minor stroke and was seriously dehydrated when my wife and I found him. Since we’re the closes thing to family here as well as his power of attorney, life has changed irrevocably for him and us. By the way, he’s doing remarkably well and was moved to a nursing home Wednesday for further rehab therapy.

Well known prepper and blogger Riverwalker has had his share of the unexpected this summer, too. Back in June he had a heart attack, surgery and the subsequent recovery. He was my guest on DestinySurvival Radio yesterday to talk about this and give guidance for preppers based on his recent experiences. If you read Riverwalker’s blog you may recall seeing something about all of this in a post he wrote a little over amonth ago on surviving a life changing event.

Thankfully, Riverwalker is recovering remarkably. He sounded good, too. With positive goals in mind for the coming months, he’s planning to go back soon to work at his regular full time job.

Couched in the midst of the description of Riverwalker’s situation, you’ll find simple, but profound principles. Here are a few.

Practice maintenance by taking care of yourself, just as you do for your home and vehicles.
Your routine may change dramatically, and you’ll be forced to substitute one routine for another.
You must manage your time differently as certain new activities become necessary.
What happens to you has a ripple effect on those around you.
When you’re vulnerable and dependent on others, you come to appreciate the value of other people and what they do for you.
Build a good emergency fund.
Build your support network among family, friends, coworkers, etc., by practicing the Golden Rule of doing for others what you’d like them to do for you.
Do what you can to keep a positive outlook.

Near the end of my time with Riverwalker, we talked about his recent series of blog articles on building a small DIY survival kit. He has certain criteria in mind which can’t be met by an inexpensive Altoid tin kit. Devices for signalling are among the most essential items.

Hear my entire interview with Riverwalker on DestinySurvival Radio for August 23, 2012. Check out his blog at http://www.stealthsurvival.blogspot.com.

Do you have other guiding principles for dealing with those jarring life changing events? Leave a comment and pass along your wisdom for the benefit of others.

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