Most people are concerned with their own safety and security. They are afraid. But they do not use this fear as motivation to do what they should; they use the fear to let governments run all over them.
Every time something bad happens more laws are passed, more regulations are enacted and more restrictions are put in place.
I am totally for my own safety and security and that of my children.
But I am totally against more laws, regulations and restrictions.
Why the contradiction?
I believe that every person should watch out for themselves.
It is not up to me to look out for you. I watch out for me, my kids and the people close to me. I will help others in need if I can, I am not heartless.
What I really mean is that I can only do so much. You can only do so much. But if each person does not procrastinate and watches out for themselves there will not be a need for all kinds of ridiculous laws, rules, regulations and restrictions.
Even with the obscene number of laws in place bad things happen. They always have happened and they always will.
What I do and am encouraging you to do is not procrastinate when you are planning for your own safety and security. Here is a small sampling of some of the things I do and have done to make myself safer:
1) Replace the batteries in my smoke detectors when they need it.
2) I replace burned out light bulbs. I do not want to stumble in the dark.
3) I put ice melting salt on the walkways that I walk on. I do not want to slip on the ice.
4) I shovel the snow where I walk and where I drive. I do not want to get stuck or slide into a building or car in the driveway.
5) I fill my gas tank when it gets half empty. Never procrastinate on keeping your car gassed up. This may be the most important idea ever.
6) I keep my car in good running condition.
7) I keep the tires on my car fairly new.
8) I replace the wiper blades on my car every 6 months.
9) I keep some cash in my wallet all the time.
10) I keep my cell phone charged up and on me whenever I go out of my house.
11) I keep enough food and water in my house to last a few days or more.
12) I keep some emergency supplies in my car.
13) I have spare keys to my car and house.
14) I constantly check on the whereabouts of my keys, wallet and cell phone.
15) I drive carefully always.
16) I do not trust anyone, except for myself.
17) I allow plenty of time to get where I am going.
18) I am extremely wary when I am out.
19) I am even more wary at night.
20) I walk like I mean business. Look like you have a place to go.
21) I maintain a large, menacing size. If you are not large you will have to do other things like avoiding being alone or carrying mace or some other method.
22) I know what the weather forecast is.
23) I avoid dealing with government types as much as possible, especially the police.
24) I limit the information I provide.
25) I do not fly that much. I love to travel, but the hoops you have to go through to fly make it a big hassle.
26) I do not drink so much alcohol that I lose control.
27) I assume the worst about people.
28) I assume the worst case scenario.
29) I am careful to not let myself get overly tired and rundown.
30) I keep a reserve of health.
31) I discuss these safety and security issues with my kids.
32) I watch what my kids are up to and what they are into.
These are all things that I can do myself. I do not need anyone to help me do these things. It is nice if they do, but you just cannot assume that they will. I do them as soon as they need to be done. I do not procrastinate on my own safety.
Even your most loyal, trusted family and friends may let you down when you need them most. They may not be able to help you when you need it. They may be too busy or involved with other things or trying to save themselves.
There is just no way you can totally count on others. This way of thinking is critical to your own well-being. Thinking someone else will save you if foolish. Thinking the government will solve your problems is not the way to think.
People may be able to help you. Government may be able to help you also. I just do not want to count on it when it is my life at stake.
The people who got in their 4 wheel drive SUVs and left New Orleans before the floods hit after Hurricane Katrina were smart enough to take care of themselves. They did not procrastinate on the leaving. The ones who stayed hoping for government help suffered.
Who would you rather be? The ones in a gassed up vehicle driving away from a disaster of the ones stuck on a roof or in an attic praying for help.
Would you rather be in a high and dry hotel hundreds of miles from the devastation or in a flooded building wondering if looters are going to kill you for your last can of beans and water bottle.
I know who I want to be and that is why I do not procrastinate on how I make my plans and go about living.