How many times have you heard people say “It can’t happen here…” after something bad or unexpected takes place in their neighborhood.
Guess what, it can happen here!
Case in point, my quiet neighborhood just the other day. I came home from work to the sight of six police cruisers, a K-9 unit, and a police helicopter circling overhead. I have no idea what the situation was all about but apparently it was serious enough to involve a bunch of police assets. Keep in mind that I live in a golf course community in a nice section of town populated by middle-class families and wealthy retirees.
Bad things will happen no matter where you live, no matter what your income, no matter what the color of your skin is, no matter what god you worship, and regardless of your age. Even though normalcy bias conditions us to think otherwise, bad things happen everywhere. If you take this into account, you can be ready for the unexpected and be better prepared to handle the situation. For the most part, “security” and “normalcy” are just abstract concepts that reside in our minds. The reality is, even in “safe” neighborhoods like mine, the unexpected can happen at any time.
You checked your batteries and you find corrosion.
What do you do now?
The good news is that in most cases you can clean the corrosion and have your battery-powered device back in working order. It only takes a few minutes and only costs a few pennies for each cleaning. There are multiple ways of doing this, but here is a video that explains battery corrosion remedy that uses white vinegar and Q-tips to clean battery corrosion.
There are other ways to clean corrosion that I will cover in future posts but keep this one in mind the next time you encounter it.
When things go wrong, supplies of common items get interrupted. Look at what happened during Super Storm Sandy or the recent snow storms that impacted most of the Lower 48 states. Bad weather means trucks, trains, ships, and airplanes can’t operate normally and deliver the goods we normally buy. The result is stores run out of everything within a few days and even after conditions return to normal, it can take a week or more before inventory levels return to normal.
This happens from time to time though and can be planned for, however supply interruptions can be a big deal if you can’t feed your addictions. If you are physically or psychologically dependent upon certain things (ex. smoking, drinking, chewing tobacco, recreational drugs, hard drugs, caffeine, chocolate, junk food, gambling, porn), an interruption in supply can become painful within hours. This can seriously compromise your ability to handle a stressful situation.
So what do you do?
The solution is to free yourself from your addictions, after all its a matter of survival. A healthy body and a sharp mind are the two most critical tools you have to overcome challenges. If you have addictions, ask yourself this question…what would happen if you had to suddenly go without your “fix” for a day, a week, a month? How would you handle yourself and cope with a stressful situation without being able to feed your habit? Being dependent on something puts you in a vulnerable position, both physically and financially when your supply is interrupted. You could try and stock up to get you through, or you could decide to get healthy and not be a prisoner to your addictions anymore.
My suggestion is if you have an addiction, get help from a medical professional. Breaking bad habits is difficult, both physically and mentally, so you will need help to help you overcome. You will also need a support network to get you through the difficult times, there are organizations and resources for all manner of addictions so consult with a medical professional to determine which one(s) may be appropriate for your situation.
The main goal is to get help and free yourself. This will allow you to sharpen your body and mind so you can be prepared for adversity. It will also enable you to live a longer, healthier, more full life.
Its always good to have flashlights available for when things go wrong. I my opinion, its even better to have one of these handy.
The classic Maglite 5 cell D is a great flashlight to have. Its been used by police, fire and rescue, and military units from around the world for decades because of its legendary reliability. Its manufactured from aircraft aluminum and is remarkably strong yet lightweight for its size. It comes in many sizes but I’m going to focus this review on the 5-cell D version.
Why get this particular flashlight? Well, its a multipurpose too; it can act as a flashlight, baton, and hammer when needed. It is long, heavy, and strong which makes it a handy baton in a defensive situation. Also, if you have to break glass to escape from a room (ex. during a fire) this flashlight is strong enough to do so. Oh, and it produces a lot of light too. The one I have uses an incandescent bulb, which can be focused from a wide cone to a narrow beam by twisting the top. Maglite also manufacturers LED versions of this and other size flashlights.
The Maglite also has the twin virtues of being manufactured in the USA and widely available. I purchased mine at Fry’s Electronics for less than $25 and see them at sporting goods stores and other retailers. Parts are widely available too since Maglites have proven so popular since their introduction. Their quality is second to none as well, meaning that a well-maintained Maglite will last for many years.
If you have a moment, read the story of Mag Instrument, Inc. and its founder Anthony Maglica.
Some of you may have noticed my posts have become sparse over the last few weeks. There is a good explanation for this, and its not because I am being a lazy bum. The truth is, I have been spending time with this lady:
Preparing and learning are ongoing activities that should be continually improved over time. The relationships we have also need to be constantly maintained, lest they whither due to neglect. Family, friends, spouses, teammates, co-workers, and others deserve some of your time. After all, strong and lasting relationships are a key component in building a real, robust social network. This network is crucial to the well-being of communities and societies, which are especially important during troubled times.
While I have reduced my blogging to increase my time with Jennifer, I still make time to fine tune my preparations. Take a balanced approach towards life and you will be happier, healthier, and more able to handle stressful events.
