January 30, 2012

Surviving the Future - SHTF - Natural Living - How to be Happy


With only the obtainment of cash as our motivation, we have abandoned health and well-being.  There is no time to eat properly, sleep or even go to the bathroom if it interferes with making money.  Tired and sick we press ahead, chasing the money to satiate our lives.  A body sustained in this matter can only perpetuate continual deterioration.

We eat cheap fast food to save time and money.  However much like with cigarettes and credit, it leaves us with long-term concealed costs for which we are answerable.  The sacrifice of nutrition has left us with malnutritioned bodies unable to thrive and ill prepared to ward off disease.  Instead, our bodies are forced into distortion and discomfort by modifying to accommodate for the unnatural diet.

We can’t really ignore our nagging ailments, can we?  Bowel and digestion problems, insomnia, headaches, heartburn, depression, result from our modern way of life.  Unfortunately we can’t be glad constipated, we can’t be happy hungry, and we can be joyous tired.  How have we come to embrace paying big bucks for drugs that comfort but never cure?  Why do we expect health from prescriptions given by people whose income is made selling pills to the sick?  Do we now all collectively share these pills in our drinking water?

Why do we continue to sacrificially raise money for disease research, when, after all this time, no remedies are forthcoming?  Why do we believe commercials about tooth products recommended by the people who profit from tooth decay?  Why do we spend so much on the quick fix, knowing nurturing our bodies is how to maintain health?

Have we, passively as it may be, laboured for years to finance permanent contamination of our world with the toxic sludge from the bowels of our modern life?  Could it be said that we are like cattle in feedlots held captive away from a natural and prosperous life?  Are we consuming commodities without value, in constant state anxiety and drowning in our own excrement?  Have we too namelessly given our lives for other’s profit? 

This is not the world we were born to and we are not living life as intended.  We are not here to create chaos but to cooperate in harmony with our world.  We cannot buy a healthy planet, just as we cannot buy healthy lives.  This is true no matter how much money you have.  We must fight now for lives of quality, rather than money. 

Are we willing to value our lives enough to ensure for clean air, water or food?  Can we value the quality of the next generation’s lives by allowing them to play peacefully in nature, and grow without being a burden to the earth or the future?  We can even value the lives of others by not exploiting the poor and desecrating nature.

Society has been stoned with delusion and played ignorant to the repercussions of money for long enough.  The world will not end when this generation does.  We do have the power to change the course of our lives.  We can focus on the realities of being alive rather than collective illusions brought about from the addiction of money.  Stop doling out the fuel that is devastating our existence and consuming our future.

Each dollar you have to work for and spend represents your contribution to the health of the world, or its demise.  Who gains from your time to cash exchange, and who loses?  In buying imported products are we taking the food and resources of others, thus creating havoc for the poor in other countries?  Are we, perhaps, even creating our own dependency on these distant countries for our most basic needs?  Are we putting the security of our food in the hands of strangers who understandably have only profit in mind?  It is time to wake up to the exact costs of our purchases, not just the sticker price. 

Can you see more value in a used car rather than a new one? What does it cost in hours of work and worry and time away from your real life to keep it?  To produce one, the environment pays as dearly as your bank account.  Who hasn’t driven around town to find bargains only to burn up that savings in the search?  When you buy a frozen dinner, in its aluminum container wrapped in cardboard and plastic, consider the cost and pollution caused to create the packaging.

Plastic bags save trees but plastic is forever garbage.  Even using cloth bags for groceries, you can’t avoid the fact each item is already covered in its own plastic and the refuse will go into another plastic bag for disposal.  If personally accountable for the lifetime of your purchases and their packaging, how much Styrofoam and plastic, bleach and chemicals, bottles and cans, batteries and electronics would be in your yard?  The world would be a totally different place if we were all truly responsible for the everlasting remnants of all our buys. 

As people using the modern world, it is also our responsibly to clean up this mess and reverse the environmental destruction.  Esoterically sorting our garbage is not the solution, we must stop producing it.  It is not a matter planting trees to offset our carbon emissions; it is a matter of not producing carbon emissions. 

World pollution is the result of our unnatural existence, and an uncertain future can not be passively anticipated.  It is not only someone else’s problem, it is ours.  We can not sweep this problem under the rug and pretend it doesn’t exist.  There is no out of sight out of mind as we watch our sisters and brothers suffer or die from the state of environment.

Intermission - Spring Meadow Walk - Ode to Spring - Wild Meadow in Canada





It was a beautiful morning, turn up your speakers to hear the bugs and birds.  The meadow is slowly being integrated with medicinal herbs and food plants.  Unfortunately by fall, without my grooming all summer, I was unable to even walk in the unruly meadow at all as the burdock was so formidable.

Over the last 3 days we have gotten over 2 feet of snow.  All you can see the seed stalks from all the weeds, left to mature, standing to attention in the sea of snow.  Walking today, cursing the work I see for me in the spring, what I saw brought tears to me eyes (easy to do because I am old and sentimental, but) . . . . hundreds, without exaggeration, of little birds partying it up in my meadow.  These seed heads are beacons of food and socializing in the snow.  Seems all the little birds from miles around were flitting about happy and  eating like it is the biggest buffet they have ever seen!

Nature knows, we can plan, worry, and decide, but nature knows.  Everyday she confirms her monarchy, and everyday I am blessed to be her subject.




January 23, 2012

How to be Happy - SHTF - Surviving the Future

 
The reality is we cannot have everything we want, whenever we want it.  We all have to do things we don’t want to do and be some ways we don’t want to be.  It is not appropriate to want to be perfect and desired by everyone.  For happiness we only need those who we desire to desire us.

The true qualities are unseen, they are our most valuable assets.  Unlike the transience of power and possessions, qualities are permanent, complex and engaging.  Who and how deep you love is invisible, but none the less exists and is everything.  Isn't it the invisible value of her big heart, their steadfast devotion, or his sense of humour which make them so endeared and not the size of their shirts or their wallets? 

When young and unblemished, we were ignorant and insecure; when secure and smart, we are old and blemished.  Youthful dreams are equal in value to the wisdom of age.  We can only have what we have when we have it.  If you are irregular, stupid, lazy, fat, or whatever, stop being so mean to yourself, accept your life without shame.  Limitations are natural components to life, rather than forsake, ironically, allow us to live fuller lives.

Designed by nature, intricately and uniquely, we are to be perfect imperfections.  He doesn’t look like he thinks he should look, any more than you do.  Is your granny perfectly imperfect?  Of course she is.  Is the birth of a down’s child a mistake?  No certainly of course it is not.  We are all imperfections for the world, how arrogant to assume otherwise.  Beyond our comprehension, and at the whims of our limitations and attractions, we are perfect for our role in the story of humanity.

You won’t always look like a teenager, anymore than you looked like a baby when you were a teenager, and this is a good thing.  Talk about personal body modification!  Celebrate the being who has stood the test of time, the marks and colors of victories and defeats.  Accept you as the beast you have to wear, enjoy both your youthful zest and insight from experience.  Everyone has their place without them the world would not be the same.

Like pieces of an elaborate 3D puzzle, our contribution is necessary for the world to evolve as it should.  Some people have money all their lives, some never have love, some can’t walk, and the variations are endless.  We have no choice in the life, only in the living.  By overcoming our shortcomings and embracing our qualities we can successfully forge ahead.  With natural activity our bodies can take us to all the places of our imagination. 

Intricately designed for our role on the planet, we are here to play a profound part in the collective awe of things.  From gains and losses our humanity is woven into the fabric of life, each fashioned specifically to interlock with others and the world.  The design allows us to share our powers with the rest of the world.  We should gladly embrace our anomalies and idiosyncrasies, as they make us special and most valued in the collection.

Look with fascination how all animals have different attributes and limitations, beyond their control, which make them unique and powerful.  This is true for the fish, the plants, all living, each a fingerprint of life.  By nature, each variance can contribute to community, biodiversity and sustainability.  Each can look similar, but all are having exclusive experiences, and original lives.  Variance is the magic to which we can only sit in innocent astonishment as its singularity sustains us all. 

Every living thing has its own invisible agenda and sense of how to be successful.  What you think is who you are.  You are the imaginary conversation that comforts you like a friend and shows you the way when you have no idea where you are.  It knows the truth, things you sense but have ignored.  It is not the conversation that criticizes, belittles and creates turmoil for you at every turn.  Telling yourself you are not worthy of feeling happy, satisfied or guiltless will slowly extinguish you.  Living without pretence honestly embracing reality frees us to live worthy lives.

Life is not a random act.  Genetics can distinguish us all, but it is the unseen spark necessary for life living within us that distinguishes us all most.  Living has meaning and our existence powerful and important.  Be true to your real identity and honour as paramount your internal dialogue.  You have the right to be here, the right to your needs, and the right to share your true self with the world.

January 02, 2012

Surviving the Future SHTF



 
 **Stand up to your obstacles and do something about them.
You will find that they haven't
half the strength you think they have.**
Norman Vincent Peale

December 27, 2011

A Survival Homestead is . . .

 Found a wonderful short essay describing a working survival homestead.  He is generous to share so much.  Peace

http://www.beyondweird.com/survival/hmestead.html

December 19, 2011

Natural Activity rather than chasing Money - How to survive in the future - SHTF

If you weren't chasing money what would you do with your time?


Natural activity makes this life possible
Natural activity is putting our thoughts and dreams in motion
By overcoming our shortcomings and forging ahead,
our bodies can take us to all the places of our imagination. 

One day money the children will shout "the emperor has no clothes" and money will be seen for the worthless item it is. 

"If only I could go back in time to when I could have" can be adverted, do what you can today! 

December 13, 2011

SHTF survival preppers and homesteaders unite

Seems to me if the homesteaders and preppers unite we could work together to survive what lies ahead.

Just saying, would love to start a dialogue about this.  Peace


December 10, 2011

Farming 101 preppers survival homestead

Organic Farming 101: Farm Sitting for the Farmer-in-Training

For people looking for agriculture training in organic farming and what it’s really like to live a self-supporting rural lifestyle, farm sitting offers a version of hands-on farm school and a great way to gain real-life experience.

Read more: http://www.motherearthnews.com/modern-homesteading/organic-farming-zw0z10zkon.aspx#ixzz1gClTfpsq

December 09, 2011

SHTF Prepper Link Tips for Surviving Homestead

I am glad to see people are starting to wake up to the need to prepare for the future.

Buying and saving food is only a short-term solution. Guns will only get you so far without an alliance, pharmaceuticals could be non existent, and electronics useless.

As a longtime homesteader my priority is on being able to produce what we need where we live. For a homestead to be truly productive and effective it should be a community of more than 2 families.

People do not want to leave what they have now, and live like it is tomorrow, in order to be prepared.  It is hard to leave the dreamy warm bed of electronics, money and luxury to face reality.

Excellent Advice Here

http://stealthsurvival.blogspot.com/2011/11/ten-simple-tips-for-surviving-during.html

"If only I could go back in time to when I could have" can be adverted, do what you can today!  The world is trying to become a better place, are you doing your part to help it out?



Barter Jewelery for Seed Trading


I continue to make jewellery at a greater speed than I can find customers out here in the woods. 

I would like it to be known that I will trade my jewellery for what you make to sell at your place. I am especially looking for garden seed.  I really would love flower seed as this is a luxury we don't splurge on.  I will try any plant up to garden zone 6.

The variety of pretties made here would blow your mind as they are all one of a kind originals.  I keep on top of trends and have products in most styles (silver, gothic, victorian, beads, gemstones, rings)  and in many different materials.  Let me know what you are looking for or what color etc. and what you want to trade.  Let's have fun with this.

Peace


How to live without money - Frugal Living - SHTF - Hope



Frugality

I have devoted my life, for over ten years now, to growing and preserving food for the winter.

I used to have a real job, he worked days and I worked nights. Always too tired, we ate out to save time shopping, cooking and cleaning. We did this for one year. At tax time we realized that we paid more to taxes and childcare than my salary. Meals out, and my wardrobe, car and its expenses only further exposed the foolishness of our lifestyle.

My job now is to reduce the need for cash. It is necessary to remove unnecessary expenses from your budget. But don't be caught up in the bondage of frugality. It is great to get dish soap for a dollar a bottle, but not if you don't like how it works. Worst if you have lots of soap but nothing to eat. Cheap food is processed foods where value is exchanged for profit. Or worse yet, with coffee and chocolate, slaved people pay the real cost of your purchase.

How do I do it? There is no solution in the consumer world. The secret is in the natural world. It has always been here for us, existing without our participation. Take your rightful place on the planet, take her hand, she is here to freely provide for your needs.
Where to start? 

Keep posted, peace for all


Grateful



I am still here, thankful, gratefully.  While money doesn't seem to want us here, we have a feeling the farm itself seems won't let us go.  Perhaps we have been silently growing roots,   Over 10 years of pulling the cart uphill and we almost lost it in a season.  Farming is not for the faint of heart.  Dedicated to it than ever now when we need it so much.

It has been very quiet in my circle of self-sufficiency homestead gardening blogs.  I think I know why.

December 08, 2011

SHTF Preppers How to Survive the Future Living Without Money Freedom Natural Activitiy

While googling "preppers" I had to learn a new acronym SHTF.  It took me a little to catch it but I think it stands for Shit Hits The Fan.  The poor preppers are asking for old Mother Earth News magazines, survival retreat colonies desperate for information on how to prepare for the future.  The wealthy ones want to know where to buy the safest place and the necessary supplies.

I wish I could tell them what I know.  The first thing to know is THE SHIT HAS HIT THE FAN, we are now in the midst of a shit storm.  If you have an evacuation plan use it.  Do what you know to do - whether it is taking care of the helpless and buying seeds to grow next year - now is the time to do it!

Natural activity makes this life possible
Natural activity is putting our thoughts and dreams in motion
By overcoming our shortcomings and forging ahead,
our bodies can take us to all the places of our imagination. 


The second thing preppers need to know, is  living without money is trial and error.  You don't have the skills to assume you will be able to support your self in one season.  Even if you build the perfect chicken coup, you probably will have to build it again in a better place or similarly you could buy awesome hens only to have them taken by a predator over night  or you could buy lots of seeds only to have none of them sprout  or buy a place only to find out the water is no good.

Don't give up and don't expect money will solve a thing, because it won't.

Fear of the unknown is always prevalent but preparing for the future and its children is bravery.   At the beginning when all the choices are yours it is easy to make mistakes, it is natural to "try on different shoes" until you get a perfect fit. But once those initial choices are made, you join the secret society of nature.   She calls the shots, shows you opportunities, mistakes and the path of least resistance for the most gain.  You will feel that relief you are longing for, and life will bloom in the natural peace and abundance that is their birthright.


Prepper Movement

Have you heard of this new "type" of people called preppers?

Mission Statement
Prepper.org is a public information site for those who wish: to learn about what preppers are and to learn about the prepper movement, to promote the prepper networks and their supporters We provide a resource of links and information available to anyone who wants to prepare for and survive the hard times we are facing.

Definition of a prepper:
 Prepper (noun): An individual or group that prepares or makes preparations in advance of, or prior to, any change in normal circumstances or lifestyle without significant reliance on other persons (i.e., being self-reliant), or without substantial assistance from outside resources (govt., etc.) in order to minimize the effects of that change on their current lifestyle.
by Riverwalker

This is all news to me, can you imagine my surprise?  Who'da thunk it?

Peace 

November 14, 2011

Lifetime Freely Offered

Moments of your lifetime freely offered are the most valuable currency you can share with the world. Simultaneously, each moment, each breath, each thought, all the same but unique, and all equally necessary. Each measures its portion as we entertain billions of fleeting ideas through our collective consciousness. Mere thoughts, triggered by an absurd moment, are changing the course of many lives.
Unseen moments of hope from joy, or insight from violence, can allow us to transcend negative situations. Moments of love, satisfaction, peace, trust, attraction, or inspiration can be just as life alternating as fear, outrage, or repulsion. In a mere second a new path is revealed, a veil removed; if only we had known what now we will always know.