Preparedness Times

Several years back I was asked to write the cover article for the premier issue of "Preparedness Times." This publication made its debut in October of 1992. Sadly it is no longer published; even in its infancy it was outstanding publication. I include the article in entirety. [On occasion people say that I write like an engineer.
Well I guess sometimes I do sound like an engineer because "I are one." However, I've been working for years to repent of that!]

"Doctor, quick! Give me a pill to solve my problems."
Modern Day Fast-Track Personal and Family Preparedness(?)
By James G. (Jim) Phillips

In the past weeks, months and years I have received numerous inquiries on how-to, when-to, why-to and where-to do things about personal and family preparedness. There is considerable interest, at times even a fervor, surrounding preparedness.

One of the common themes heard is, "I'm not sure where to go from where I am." Through the years most families have done "something" in the area of family preparedness. However, most people seem dissatisfied with their actual level of family and personal readiness. With limited resources, especially time and money, just where should the emphasis be placed?

I've found that most individuals know they should be doing more (or perhaps different) things, but find the problem so massive, complex or confusing in appearance that they end up doing little or nothing. To them a beginning point is not apparent, or a single course of action is not clear, and so it becomes easier to ignore the problem. In the most extreme cases, some individuals or families even deny the need for much or even any emphasis on preparedness and have found a number of "strong justifications" for their stance.

What is to be done?
The real problem is ignorance (also known as lack of understanding, truth, wisdom, or light). There is nothing wrong with ignorance. However, there is something very wrong with failing to diligently seek after and gain knowledge when the knowledge gap is discovered.

Your search for total preparedness may seem similar to that of your neighbors, but for each it will involve a different course. Each of us has different needs. We all go forward from where we are, and every case is unique. Without question we all have somewhat different resources upon which to draw.

So where do we begin and what course is to be taken?

So often people want me to give them lists:
-A list of what to buy.
-A list of what to do.
-A list of what to prepare for.

People want lists of things, thinking that if they simply follow the lists, all will be fine. In reality this is a terrible trap.

Having said this, let me give you my list! However, this is not a list of things, but rather a list of principles.

A Principle Base
In the area of preparedness and survival, my goal is to impart basic understanding and
knowledge, i.e., PRINCIPLES. The reason for this approach is simple. Even in a very lengthy discussion or course there is not sufficient time to cover all the possible combinations of situations and conditions that can arise. The challenge is even more severe when available time and space is limited, as here.

Fortunately, principles can be taught in a comparatively short period. When you understand the principles of how and why things work (the basic truths that govern your safety and well-being), you will be able to choose the best actions for a given situation. In addition, as circumstances change, you will be able to recognize and understand the changes and adapt accordingly.

A Principle is a General Truth or Law Which is the Basis for Other Truths. It is a
Source or Cause From Which Other Things Proceed.

I believe that our basic quest is to bring our knowledge into full line with truth.

With the understanding and application of truths (correct principles) comes knowledge.
Knowledge is the key to freedom, in this case freedom from the results of mistaken actions brought about by ignorance and misinformation.

The List
I call this "list" THE LAW OF PROVIDENT LIVING. I think that "provident living" is a more powerful term than survival or preparedness. Provident living is a life dedicated to making provisions for the future (tomorrow, next month, next year, next decade, and beyond). Inclusive within it are: Prudence, Preparation, Frugality, Saving, Building, Developing, Growing, Perfecting...

This is a short list, only four items. These four things are given in order of priority. This order of priority is very critical to recognize and understand as it relates to the basic tenets of this law.

I. Spiritual
II. Attitude
III. Knowledge
IV. Material Things

All four of these items are vitally important for your well-being and growth. You cannot
eliminate one, but there is a very important order of development and emphasis.

Spiritual - There is so much more to you than meets the eye. You (each of you) have
incredible depth, capacity and possibilities. Nothing takes precedent over your spiritual
well-being. To me it is fulfilled by understanding and living the whole Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Attitude - This is the thing that makes the difference between life and death when physical, mental and emotional conditions really get tough. It also determines the quality of your daily life. It is founded in your emotions, beliefs and dreams.

Knowledge - I define knowledge as Information multiplied by Experience. Merely hearing
about something or reading on a subject does not constitute knowledge. Knowledge is an inseparable and automatic part of you that is developed by living something.

Material Things - Being number four does not mean that material things are unimportant.
On the contrary, material things are very important to us, but their relevance to our well-being needs to be understood. If your safety, your concept of well-being, indeed your very worth, is based on what your own, what will your feelings be when they are lost, stolen, or destroyed? Anger? Withdrawal? Depression? Giving up? Death?

Understand that with knowledge of the principles of how and why things work, why they are put together a certain way, and with what they are made, you will automatically create or re-create whatever you need for your well-being. By their very nature, material things are inseparably connected to the preceding three items. Proper material things (wealth) truly flow out of proper spirit, attitude, and knowledge. By fully understanding this and recognizing all the possibilities, your attitude will be: "There are always options, and I will find them. So long as I have breath, I am okay, no matter what."

What Course?
"With all thy getting, get understanding." This concept is simply a statement of personal
development, enlightenment and growth. Preparedness is not something you develop off to the side of your life - some "thing" that is waiting to be used someday. It is not this any more than the Gospel is just going to church on Sunday and then going about "business as usual."

Provident living is something practiced every day. It is a way of life.