Sounds like a book title (and it just may be).
For those of you that do not know what that means you can look it up here : Rugged Individualism
Before I started this blog post, I tried my hand at posting my opinions on several forums around the internet.
One of my posts revolved around being self reliant and what self reliance might entail.
Here is a snippet of that post:
To me some that is self reliant is (in no particular order):
1. someone who’s busting their butt to pay off their mortgage as fast as they can
2. Someone who has zero personal debt (car payments, Credit cards)
3. Has basic hunting and fishing skills
4. Can build a fire out of sticks (I’m still working on this)
5. Knows hot to keep warm or cool when exposed to the elements via clothing.
6. Knows how to grow food from seeds (this ain’t as easy as you think)
7. Has knowledge of long term food storage even if it’s for a year
8. Keeps themselves in good physical condition
9. Has knowledge on how to safely use firearms. A wide variety of them
10. Is aware of dangerous surroundings
11. Knows how to cook and can on an extreme budget. Try eating on $2/day without going to Micky D’s
12. Has at least a 7 day food and water supply
13. Is informed of local and world events without the entertainment factor
14. Has a good BS filter.
15. Continually tries to improve their lives through education
16. Shares your knowledge with others.
17. Has basic to slightly more advanced first aid skills
18. Has a medical supply kit at home with more than a 24 pack of assorted band-aids.
Before you start asking, yes this was posted on a survival forum.
What really blew me away were the responses I got to this post as I never really expected the people reading this to take personal inventory and reported back to me.
12 out of 18, 9 out of 18, 5-7 out of 18 and so on. How many of these skills do you have? (No need to report back). Does life really grant you a passing grade at 75% or worse?
All around me in the news, politics and conversations so many people are buzzing about what anyone and everyone can do to help their own personal situation out rather than looking inward on what they can do for themselves to improve the situation.
As I write this blog today about 50% of the country is on some sort of government assistance and the 50% (for the most part) are dog paddling their asses to stay afloat.
So what’s it gonna be? Will you be a taker, sitting back and taking whatever comes your way? Or, will you be a Rugged Individualist forging your own destiny?
HK