Strange things have been happening lately. Yes, strange things. In fact, I’m pretty sure I stepped into the twilight zone about a month ago. Why, you ask? It’s simple… friends and family have been asking me about preparedness. These are people who have never before expressed interest in the subject whatsoever (regardless of my insistence) and, in fact, are taking steps to better prepare themselves too.
For example, out of the blue (over Halloween) a good friend started talking to me for hours on end about prepping topics. He had a lot of “out there” ideas but at least he’s thinking about it. Over Thanksgiving my sister-in-law began asking me about food and water storage, what they can do, and how to do it. Other friends have been mentioning the Doomsday Preppers shows to me. Heck, even my parents have been asking about prepping. And, you know what they want for their Christmas presents? Survival gear!
I’m so proud!… really.
I’m not entirely sure what the reason for their new-found interest in prepping is. I’ve seen other blogs speculate it’s the recent elections, maybe it’s obvious the economy still isn’t great, the Mayan calendar is coming to an end (or did it already?), or perhaps it’s me. I don’t know. To me it’s doesn’t matter why.
I can say that half of gleefulness is purely selfish, in that, I fully expect to be caring for many of these people if/when things get difficult, so the more prepared they are the less resources I would need to provide. The other half stems from the fact that I firmly believe that everyone needs to be more prepared than not and to see them take the first critical step–that of questioning their lifestyles–is great. In my parents case, however, I would happily take care of them as I’m sure I owe them a few meals and at least a thousand toys. 
Now, to capitalize on it.
I should point out that I’m not trying to get my family or friends to take prepping as seriously as I do, not at all. But, if I can keep the flame lit so-to-speak and at the same time provide some useful knowledge and experience then they’ll be far better off than I was so many years ago.
Anyway, I’ve already got my sister-in-law to check in and report that they’ve filled a rain barrel and are working on food storage. When we go to visit in December I plan on helping them to get their food storage plans in place and maybe plant a few other ideas (such as lighting, extra batteries, etc) then check in a few weeks later.
As for my parents, they’re fortunately enough to live near a lake so water should be available, but lake water is definitely not something you would want to consume day-in and day-out as is. So, maybe a descent water filter is in order to get them started? The problem with this idea is that an emergency water filter not really something that’s going to get used regularly. Regardless, they simply need to get started somewhere and water is probably as good a place as any. The other major problem they’ll have is getting water from the lake to their home which is significantly uphill from the lake. And, since water is heavy I’m thinking maybe a garden cart. I don’t know yet. Since we plan on seeing my parents over the holidays we’ll have to talk about it.
What about you? Have you noticed an increase in other’s preparedness interest? If so, what have you done to foster that interest?
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Finally–One of five children and one of 14 grands has decided that the old one isn’t so crazy after all! It is a slow process to educate them, but will be an ongoing process. I’ll just keep on quietly teaching.
Either that , or they are just asking so they know who to hit first if SHTF
considering they’re all close friends and family… they already know!
M+”Start digging the well before you get thirsty”-Chinese proverb
You bet, more folks are getting “informed.”
A friend who works at the police departmeent told me a few officers are asking how to begin “prepping.”
A convenience store clerk told me that after election he has insomnia and was hit with Montezuma’s revenge.
I think that people are becoming more aware after seeing all of the disasters just this year! Wild fires, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, superstorm Sandy…
I remember in business school hearing a professor say that a person has to hear something at least 11 times to actually process it. And what percentage need how many hits to actually act on an impulse–I don’t know, but it also depends upon your interest level.
I personally weigh-in on the side of the garden cart. That is a present that will be useful whether or not TEOTWAWKI ever comes!
Bev
The rigged election was the biggest disaster of all , woke a lot of folks up
No conversions yet but I’m always hopeful! Good to hear your flock are coming around.