Some might know who I am, some might not. My name is Chrystle and I’m a Prepper. I run this blog, the Survival Spot. But much more important than who I am, is why I do what I do. I run this free blog for one reason and one reason alone.
To help others become more mentally, physically and emotionally prepared to take on any challenge this life may present.
The Awakening
Like many of you I had an “awakening” of sorts about preparedness. My reasons are as simple as anyone’s; I want to ensure a continued existence for myself and my family. More than that, I want to beyond “surviving”, I want to thrive in hard times. I don’t want my family to have to wait in the bread line. Isn’t that exactly what most us are preparing for? We’re not preparing for a single isolated incident as much as we’re preparing for the inevitable collapse of modern society. And with so many forces working against our modern system, it’s only a matter of time before our worst fear becomes a reality. We aren’t nuts or kooks, we are simply trying to be wise and realize the plain and simple truth that by being ready we aren’t at the complete mercy of someone or something else.
The Reason
After several years of gathering supplies, learning new skills and changing my entire life to fit into the self reliant / survivalist mindset, I realized that there are overwhelming forces against us. I realized that no amount of preparation done by myself could overcome the tremendous odds we face in the future. It would certainly give me an advantage, but would I be able to be withstand all odds with my small family? So finally, after much thought and consideration, I realized a plain and simple truth; strength in numbers. I realized that nobody can do it by themselves. As humans we have always relied on each for strength and support. So much so that before modern technology, if we didn’t have a tribe or a group to lean on we most likely died. Humans, as social creatures need to belong to a group for both emotional needs and basic survival needs. The only reason we aren’t as unified now as we once were is because of the abundance of convenience and technology. This technology allows someone to be and isolationist and survive. But in the end, being an isolationist will get you killed.
So that’s why I started this blog. I did it to help others learn to prepare. To help others learn to be self reliant. Ultimately, the more people who are prepared and self reliant, the less people there will be roaming the streets looking for food. The less people there will be willing to kill over some water or a can of food. In simpler terms, the more people who are prepared, the less we need to be.
“In the beginning of a change, the Patriot is a scarce man, brave, hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a Patriot.” – Mark twain
What this quote means to me is that the most difficult challenge we preppers face is not being prepared. It’s helping others learn about why they should be prepared and how to do it. And to those of you who think “well, there’s nothing I can do to change their minds”, I’ve been there and I’ve thought that. But there have been dozens people I’ve met in the last 10 years that I have turned onto preparedness in one way or another. At first most of them rejected the idea and made fun of me for my extremism. But the seed that I planted in their heads that this world isn’t entirely safe, has grown and flourished into a preparedness mindset. People whose minds I thought would never be changed have slowly started prepping, gathering supplies, planting gardens and being more aware.
“The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing” – Edmund Burke
Now What?
OK, so you know me and you know my reasons. Why does it matter? It matters for a reason that runs so deep none of us can hide from it or ignore it. And that simple reason is that there is strength in numbers. The great powers of this world are not rebellious against each other. The powers of this world utilize networking, organization and communication to make their organizations powerful and secure. Love them or hate them, they are powerful and secure. If we seek to survive the trials and tribulations of our future, we must unite together. At the very least we must spread truth, wisdom and knowledge to all that we know.
The Survival Spot Challenge
Here is my challenge to you readers. I challenge you to convince at least one person that they should become prepared. Even if they only start with a simple kit or a little bit of extra food, get them thinking about the fragility of our lives.
Did you have an awakening moment? If so leave a comment and tell us what your awakening moment was. I want to hear what you think, so leave a comment and let your voice be heard.
Great post Will! Very thought provoking..
I can't remember exactly it was that defined my "wake up moment" as I like to call it. For years I had believed that American life was great. We were a nation that respected individual rights, took care of the less fortunate and always stood for justice and morality no matter how difficult.
Unfortunately, in the last decade or so, these values have been strategically undermined and replaced with the kind of governance that you would only hope to see in fascist dictatorship. Since 911 we've gone from a nation of protected and deeply valued individual rights to a nation that spies, tortures, imprisons without just cause and bombs the shit out of any country that doesn't go along with the plan.
Through extensive research and an open mind I've discovered that this isn't just a coincidence. The intentional destruction of our nation is well planned, and has been in the works for decades. We are watching these plans being incrementally implemented and well executed right before our eyes. It terrifies me to think of what might happen during my lifetime. 911 was only the beginning. If the American people don't wake up and put a stop to this right now – we may never have the chance again.
The powers that be have put in place a set of objectives that, if successful will lead to a nation of slaves and rulers, and the control grid will be so gripping it will likely prevent any future society to form an organized revolution to make things right again. I feel the urgency of this matter with every fiber of my being.
Now that I've started embark on my quest to inform the masses, I'm starting to realize just how brainwashed this society truly is. Some of them have suspicions about what going on, but they just haven't seen enough evidence to convince them. Others are completely oblivious to it because they're too wrapped up the latest reality show or sports craze. But then there are those who know there is something wrong, they feel it in their hearts and they know it in their minds. But they just don't want to see it. They don't want to think about it, they just want to live their lives and watch their T.V.'s and go on their vacations and pretend all is well in the world. I actually had a girl tell me one time (as I was trying to explain to her my theories on 911) that she knows the government is corrupt and she knows they probably lied about 911 and she knows that most of what I'm telling her is likely to be true – but she simply doesn't want to think about it. She told me "it's too hard to think about that stuff. I'd rather just pretend like everything is okay even if it's not". I was floored. I had to examine myself a little bit and just see if I had ever felt that way. The truth is – yes I have felt that way. And sometimes even today I still wish I could feel that way. But once I found out all the things I know now, I simply could not sit idly by and let these things happen without at least trying to inform people.
As a mother, a daughter, a sister, a wife, a patriot and a citizen of this country it is my duty to myself and to my family and my fellow man to share this vital information that I carry; the information that could mean the difference between life and death for millions of people on this planet. How can I not? How can I even look at myself in the mirror everyday knowing that I buried my head in the sand while the world fell apart around me? I couldn't. And I know there are many others out there that feel the same way.
Yes it's hard. Yes it's stressful. Yes you risk losing your status in the community, in your workplace or among your family. But what's at stake here is much more important then status or convenience or reputation. None of these things will matter when we're facing the barrel of gun in our nice suburban neighborhood from the foreign mercenaries when marshal law is declared and our children are being taken from us while we're bussed into the concentration camps. We need to look at the big picture here and realize what is truly at stake. Our freedom, our right to live peacefully and pursue happiness as we see fit, everything we've ever loved our held dear will be taken from us with force and there won't be a damn thing we can do about it. Is it worth it?
We can't afford to be silent anymore. We've waiting too long, we're in too deep and there is only one way to turn it around now. We need to wake up! Ask questions – demand answers. Do your own research, search your soul and decide what YOU feel is the truth. Don't let the media tell you what is truth. Or your pastor or your neighbor or your friends. Find your own truth! And when you find it – do something about it! Don't just sit on your hands and let everything fall apart when you have the means and the ability to do something about it now. Plant seeds in peoples minds, make them question what they think they know and force them to look at themselves and the world around them without their blinders on. Help coax others towards their own "wake up moments" there is power in truth! The time to act is now!
Wow – some very good points are made in both these posts. I tend to shy away from conversations on this topic with friends and family due to the misconceptions involved. But I think I'll take a chance and see if I can turn some minds. It's worth a shot, even if they don't respond right away maybe one day they will.
Absolutely. I'm like you I usually avoid it, but when you talk about preparedness from a common sense standpoint it's hard for anyone to say it's crazy or extreme.
Excellent post! I experienced a winter storm where we lost power for 10 days, always remembering that time & experience, plus others. I wanting to become a bit better with prepping, but procrastinated until a year ago. I can survive for a year for two people after attacking the skills, tools, supplies, food, water, meds, weapons, ammo etc. I have tried to convince family, friends and co-workers etc. to prepare. It’s nearly a hopeless cause. I have only been able to convince one person, as this person somewhat thinks along the same alliance, beyond that forget it. We may have a long road ahead of us with the economy being derailed, poor leadership, terrorism & vulnerability of additional wars. Prepare, prepare & prepare! Who knows what may happen in the future, nobody can forecast the future, but doesn’t look very promising.
My family used to follow the prepping lifestyle when the Y2K scare was upon us. However, since that time we have fallen away from that lifestyle. I'm trying to bring that back, but in a modified way. Becoming more self reliant in general as well as stocking up for the SHTF. I re awoke when the earthquakes moved from Haiti to Chile; I figured when there are "Earthquakes in diverse places" you can be sure trouble is on its way. I'm also thinking about starting my own blog, one which focuses on the self reliant part of prepping like the back to basics kind of skills as well as the traditional "bug out" scenario. No matter if nothing happens in your lifetime, the lifestyle of a prepper can reap many rewards.
That's Scripture in quotes. Too many people ruling out what the Lord has to say on these things. Glad you put that in there. Yes, you are correct. The more prepper I become, the less bills I make for myself buying lots of garbage. Life is more rewarding.
I started really thinking about it when our power went out for a week during the winter. Did we have the ability to eat, stay warm and rely on ourselves without having to leave our house and ask others for help? I realized that we could if I just prepared enough for it. I realized that my family's health and well being depended on us having the knowledge and supplies to take care of ourselves. With the grace of God I will be able to take care of my family whether it is a power outage or something more drastic.
It seems that a lot of people start prepping due to some event that left them stranded or without basic necessities. Sometimes that's the wake up call we need to start taking responsibility for our own survival. Thanks for sharing!
These are great comments and more times than not I find great people saying great things on these prepper blogs. I've watched over the last few years and have seen multitudes of people struck with a sense of urgency out-of-the-blue to prepare for hard times. Though may not all believe, there is still a God who we can trust and will take care of His children. A great article to read can be found on the prayer page of http://www.survivalblog.com. The good Lord gave us a brain and the responsibility to take care of our families. Being a prepper is not only the right thing to do, but I'm sure would be pleasing to God. I am no longer optimistic about a comeback for this nation. Too much is wrong with it and the wrong people with the right amount of money are doing the worst things. Their mindsets are not only bent on power, but also to pleasing their master, "lucifer". Look, I'm not a preacher or some goody-two-shoes with all the answers. I just know what is true and before we start looking to save ourselves let us take a few minutes out to thank God for our many blessings and pray He preserve all of us in the times to come. God bless you all–believer and not.
I agree wholeheartedly…..This is the way it came to me. Trying to get others involved, or with the same mindset is basically impossiblle.
Can i copy and paste this?