The
question, “are you ready?” can lead to many discussions. It is a question asked for usual day to day
reasons by everyone around the world, everyday. Think about how often you hear
the question asked. Start with “are you
ready?” and then fill in your own blank.
Are you ready:_______?
Are you
ready: to go?
Are you
ready: for breakfast?
Are you
ready: for school?
Are you
ready: to move on?
Are you
ready: for the weather?
Are you
ready: for your root canal?
You get the
idea. Such a simple question, one which often ends with a simple “yes” or “no”
response. However, recent events in California, has made this humble question
into a query of much more consequence.
Not many people I know were ‘ready’ for the 5.4, followed up by the intense
7.1 magnitude earthquake that hit the area of Ridgecrest, California in early
July. Most people were simply not ready for the shaking and its aftermath. Most were as about ready for the temblors as
they would have been if you had asked them if they were ready to have their
hand slammed in the car door (both painful scenarios).
“Preparedness”
is word that sometimes conjures up visions to some, of the stereotypical “prepper”
who is waiting for the 4 horsemen of the apocalypse to ride up, bringing with
them; death and destruction of the world, followed (of course) by the
obligatory round of ZOMBIES, with whom the preppers need to fight off for the
future of humanity! You may even know a
few of these people waiting for “the end times” to come. They usually have a cache of dried food,
canned food, water, batteries, flashlights, first aid kits, extra medications,
generators, solar chargers and perhaps even a weapon or two (for the zombies). I find it funny how just until a little bit
ago; these “preppers” were the crazy ones.
Come on, you know you made fun of them too. You know you said it…“You know my neighbor
Bob?...Well, he’s one of those doomsday guys, waiting for the world to end. What a
goofball!” So it is at this point, where the freeze dried worm begins to
turn. Because in reality, NOW who is the
crazy one? Because when the ground finally stopped shaking and power was lost,
it was your neighbor Bob who had a generator. When the stores were closed
(because they were too busy being looted) and you needed some food and water in
order to be ready just in case things got worse, guess who had food and water?
Yup, your crazy neighbor Bob was ready. So what is the moral to the story? Maybe being a little prepared isn’t such a
crazy idea after all?
In reality,
disasters can come in many forms.
Whether you are preparing for the “big one” in California, a flood in
the mid west, a power outage on the east coast,
or even the zombie apocalypse,
being ready for every and any event is just common sense. You don’t go to the beach without being
prepared. Think about your check list;
towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, cooler, drinks, etc…check! You don’t go to the store without being
somewhat ready. You get dressed, you
make sure you (hopefully) have enough money in your bank account, you might
even make a list if you are going to the grocery store.
Being prepared is NOT crazy, it doesn’t make
you a “doomsday prepper,” you’re not a “doom and gloomer,” heck, it doesn’t
even make you paranoid…unless you believe the Illuminati is what keeps the
Kardashians relevant for some nefarious “New World Order” reason. So, before the next big scary “event” happens
(natural or not), please ask yourself, your friends, and your family…”are you
ready?”
Thank you for
reading, and I’ll see you in the groves…with my pre packaged, freeze dried lunch
and bottled water.
-Tony
