Thread: preparedness

not exactly the same thing.. but i carry what is called the nannypack.. i basic blue jansport with everything i could ever possibly need for nanny survival..

diapers
wipeys
change of clothes
first aid kit
granola bars
sippy cups
random small toys
kids movies on dvd
laptop
mobile phone
notepad with vital information
crayolas and sketchbook
a $20 bill

i basically have everything i could ever need while away from the house with the smaller kids.. just the other day we took a trip to the natural history museum and ended up having to make our own way home via public transport.. it was a 2 hour adventure and you can be sure that i made use of many tools the nannypack had to offer.

It's all very well to have the gadgets, but if you don't have the mindset and willingness to use them, then you're as good as screwed. It's all very well to say you have the mindset, but you'll never know for sure if you've never been put to the test.
Then if you have all that, you'll also need the physical preparedness. A 'Big Mac' physique just won't cut it.


Mick

Originally Posted by MickR

It's all very well to have the gadgets, but if you don't have the mindset and willingness to use them, then you're as good as screwed. It's all very well to say you have the mindset, but you'll never know for sure if you've never been put to the test.
Then if you have all that, you'll also need the physical preparedness. A 'Big Mac' physique just won't cut it.


Mick

Hi Mick, like we learn from sharpening razors- it's good to practice. I do believe there are a few indicators one could reflect upon- how do you handle traffic when its back up and you need to be somewhere; or maybe even- how do you drive, courteous or aggressive? How do feel when waiting in long lines, or being in the rough side of town?

As I learned from watching the movie Dune; "Fear is the mind killer"

Actually I have the quote right here.

" I must not fear. Fear is the mind killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me, And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain"

Originally Posted by kevint

Hi Mick, like we learn from sharpening razors- it's good to practice. I do believe there are a few indicators one could reflect upon- how do you handle traffic when its back up and you need to be somewhere; or maybe even- how do you drive, courteous or aggressive? How do feel when waiting in long lines, or being in the rough side of town?

As I learned from watching the movie Dune; "Fear is the mind killer"

Actually I have the quote right here.

" I must not fear. Fear is the mind killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me, And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain"

You'll have to forgive me if I've misunderstood or if I haven't made myself understood. I think practice is very necessary.
The point I was trying to make was in reference to protecting what you have, with deadly force if necessary, as a few comments alluded to that being a possible scenario, and rightly so.
What I was trying to say, was, it's all well and good to say you have the fire-power to use if required, but if you have never had the joys of having bullets thumping into the ground around you and buzzing around your head (and I hope none of you do, that haven't already). You don't know how you're going to react. There is no practice for having someone shoot at you, with deadly intent and real bullets.
The first time surviver of such an encounter has to deal with the phsycological aftermath. Even if they dealt with the situation at hand, there is no telling whether they, to put it crudely, 'harden up' or go to water the next time around.
The victim of such an attack, if similarly armed, also has to be mentally prepared to kill.
It is a complex subject and as individual as the people who are in the situation, and the situation itself. There is much wasted ammunition, as those involved just panic, and blaze away, hitting nothing. Then panic some more as they reload. Maybe it's dark and they load a round in backwards (yes it can happen with some weapons)...You see what I'm trying to say? You just can't practice for the real life situation well enough to fully understand your own reactions.
Mindset, a preparedness to do or act coldly, ruthlessly, to another, and to be prepared for whatever you can imagine doing to another, being done to you, and surviving that when all is said and done. This is what cannot be practiced.
Fear is something that you need. Fear is the fight or flight reaction. You need fear and you need to learn how to control fear, so that you can bend it to your will. To stand and fight viciously, or, if heavily out numbered, to run so much faster than the pack.


Mick

I was a soldier once and young.....long time ago. Practice makes perfect, even if you have done the drill 10000x, practice, practice, practice. Prepare for every scenario you can that your mind can come up with and have a knowledgeable person critique.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

I was a soldier once and young.....long time ago. Practice makes perfect, even if you have done the drill 10000x, practice, practice, practice. Prepare for every scenario you can that your mind can come up with and have a knowledgeable person critique.

Wouldn't that eventually overwhelm; if not the person, their resources.

My wife thinks because i'm lazy I postpone simple home maintenance, and refuse to cut the grass. No. I am practicing the art of invisibility. My house looks abandoned so no one's coming in looking for treats
The only scenario that I can come up with that is; for sure (imho); is the greater purpose of our Creator will be done. The only thing I need do is yield my desires to this greater intelligence and allow right action to operate. That way at least everything remains simple, manageable and doable.

Originally Posted by MickR

You'll have to forgive me if I've misunderstood or if I haven't made myself understood. I think practice is very necessary.
The point I was trying to make was in reference to protecting what you have, with deadly force if necessary, as a few comments alluded to that being a possible scenario, and rightly so.
What I was trying to say, was, it's all well and good to say you have the fire-power to use if required, but if you have never had the joys of having bullets thumping into the ground around you and buzzing around your head (and I hope none of you do, that haven't already). You don't know how you're going to react. There is no practice for having someone shoot at you, with deadly intent and real bullets.
The first time surviver of such an encounter has to deal with the phsycological aftermath. Even if they dealt with the situation at hand, there is no telling whether they, to put it crudely, 'harden up' or go to water the next time around.
The victim of such an attack, if similarly armed, also has to be mentally prepared to kill.
It is a complex subject and as individual as the people who are in the situation, and the situation itself. There is much wasted ammunition, as those involved just panic, and blaze away, hitting nothing. Then panic some more as they reload. Maybe it's dark and they load a round in backwards (yes it can happen with some weapons)...You see what I'm trying to say? You just can't practice for the real life situation well enough to fully understand your own reactions.
Mindset, a preparedness to do or act coldly, ruthlessly, to another, and to be prepared for whatever you can imagine doing to another, being done to you, and surviving that when all is said and done. This is what cannot be practiced.
Fear is something that you need. Fear is the fight or flight reaction. You need fear and you need to learn how to control fear, so that you can bend it to your will. To stand and fight viciously, or, if heavily out numbered, to run so much faster than the pack.


Mick

I was sure I understood what you meant by gadgets. Thanks for spelling it out though. The examples I gave may sound childish and far removed from what you are describing. Checking the pulse is not open heart surgery of course- but you have to start somewhere.

If one cannot manage the smallest things with calm awareness; it is very unlikely to develop those management tools on the spot should a situation devolve into melee. I believe the small things are the important ones; the big things self resolve.

Originally Posted by kevint

...If one cannot manage the smallest things with calm awareness; it is very unlikely to develop those management tools on the spot should a situation devolve into melee...

We're going to have to agree to disagree on this point mate. I know that I will swear at a stupid driver for example, I also know that I am calm, cool and collected under fire...This is from personal experience. Not everyone is the same I know. Small things irritate me as I feel they shouldn't be necessary/ Shouldn't need to happen e.g irresponsible driving. The big things, however are out of your control and just have to be dealt with.
I think your belief that 'what will happen is just fate/god taking a hand in things', to be a fatalists viewpoint. I prefer to make my own luck, rather than have it handed to me by some unseen/non-existant force. No offence intended, just my point of view.


Mick

Originally Posted by MickR

We're going to have to agree to disagree on this point mate. I know that I will swear at a stupid driver for example, I also know that I am calm, cool and collected under fire...This is from personal experience. Not everyone is the same I know. Small things irritate me as I feel they shouldn't be necessary/ Shouldn't need to happen e.g irresponsible driving. The big things, however are out of your control and just have to be dealt with.
I think your belief that 'what will happen is just fate/god taking a hand in things', to be a fatalists viewpoint. I prefer to make my own luck, rather than have it handed to me by some unseen/non-existant force. No offence intended, just my point of view.


Mick

That's okay too. Agreed
I have not been there, but I do know a few who have been in some of the worst places. I am sure if I asked why did you come home while so many who were with you did not; the answer would not be "because I trained more" or "I'm a natural born bad ass". I believe they would say; only because I was lucky.

Originally Posted by vthomlinson

not exactly the same thing.. but i carry what is called the nannypack.. i basic blue jansport with everything i could ever possibly need for nanny survival..

diapers
wipeys
change of clothes
first aid kit
granola bars
sippy cups
random small toys
kids movies on dvd
laptop
mobile phone
notepad with vital information
crayolas and sketchbook
a $20 bill

i basically have everything i could ever need while away from the house with the smaller kids.. just the other day we took a trip to the natural history museum and ended up having to make our own way home via public transport.. it was a 2 hour adventure and you can be sure that i made use of many tools the nannypack had to offer.

I'm in your little club at the moment too. A sad, but enjoyable life I wouldn't wish on any childless couple.


Mick