I've been around the block a few times ... riding the preparedness warhorse for most of those go-rounds.
As you have, I've seen a lot of suffering and experienced a little of it myself through the years. Plainly, bad stuff happens all the time in this life. Yes, even major, far-reaching catastrophes happen all too often--sometimes natural, occasionally at the hand of man. Either way, both ways, you live it. You learn from it.
Experience and the not-so-long odds are what make preparedness logical.
Now today, one can't help but notice a trending of major crisis events around the globe, a pattern of events out there that over time lead from one increasingly painful juncture to the next, and then on to something even worse. It doesn't require a sophisticated sense of awareness or an ability to analyze obtuse, convoluted data points. Today, the reality has become a ringing bell in the town square for most.
It?
I can't count how many times in the past I've been asked if I think this is "it." You know ... is the crisis du jour going to be the trigger event for the big one, the end ... TEOTWAWKI.
My standard even-keeled response has usually been something like, "I don't know what the future holds, but I always see plenty of evidence that makes me feel justified in preparing my family for potential trouble ... and in doing what I can to help others do the same."
It usually worked to help folks to slow down and take a breath.
That was then, this is now. Presently, there are far too many systemic issues, ongoing percolating crises without solutions, fundamental foundational questions, aimless self-serving leaders, and scared hurting people out there to be able to convincingly promote the calm, easy approach to our situation--yes the situation we all find ourselves in today.
Hell--it's not just a few people wondering. More and more folks are wondering here and now, asking each other that same question ... is this it? Worst of all, no one has a reassuring response. No one.
That point alone should be enough ... enough to realize that we are up the proverbial creek without a paddle. There is no viable plan or recourse for recovery out there on a macro level. At least no other than a major war. Yes--that is being bounced around a little in some circles. That may indeed be conventional wisdom's Plan X (after Plans A thru W have resulted only in ever more dismal circumstances).
So What Now?
Bottom line is, we are all on our own. It's always been clear that in a worst-case scenario, personal self sufficiency is advisable. Or being a part of some kind of qualified, trusted group dynamic with adequate facilitation in place.
How will the great demise go down? It will be a little different for everyone. In general, I expect most will experience, perhaps in this order or close to it:
1. Violence
2. Hunger
3. Illness
4. Sorrow
5. Rage
6. Hopelessness
7. Violence
More detail than that and this becomes a novel, which I may not have time to complete. Thankfully, we do yet have more time to prepare and to pray.
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Get Ready ... Seriously -- www.prepared.pro