Ok... here's the latest round of updates for you...
From my favorite DIY Site... DIY natural....
And last, but not least... an update from The Survival Mom, Lisa Bedford....
Preparedness vs. Hoarding
Is there a difference?
During the recent wheat and rice shortages, the word 'hoarding' became virtually synonymous in mainstream media with anyonewanting to buy food in bulk. Warehouse stores across the nation were forced to ration purchase amounts of these items and tempers flared as supplies dwindled and prices soared.
As expected, those who were preparedness minded began to be accused of 'hoarding' food and the insinuation of extreme selfishness and mental instability lay within the undertones of that accusation.
If you are one who believes you should stock your food pantry to contain six months to a year's worth of ed
ible items on hand, have you been accused of 'hoarding' by anyone? By those close to you that don't understand?
ible items on hand, have you been accused of 'hoarding' by anyone? By those close to you that don't understand?
The false perceptions from the accusations of years ago still haunt those who are trying to build for their future. To stand firm in our convictions and help educate those who are guided by culture rather than fact, we must debunk the skewed outlook that has tainted a portion of the preparedness minded.
To clear up this inaccurate perception that prepping is hoarding one must first look at the original definition of 'hoarding'. According to the definition on Dictionary.comto hoard is "to accumulate money, food, or the like, in a hidden or carefully guarded place for preservation,future use, etc."
The definition itself does not so much as even hint at a mental or emotional imbalance or paranoia. Is a bank vault or safety deposit box any different than a long term pantry? In fact, in the natural realm, hoarding is a common behavior in many animals at specific times of the year, or as habitual care for sustenance. Do squirrels not gather nuts for the winter?
Secondly one must look at the transformation of the word 'hoarder' to how it now seems to carry a negative connotation. Ah, the English language - it doth ever evolve. With television shows that depict one who hoards as someone who suffers from far more than the outward evidence of being 'buried alive' by the collection their possessions - connecting the word 'hoard' with an illness was simply inevitable.
Lastly, in order to combat and educate the difference of preparedness vs. hoarding one must look at what the insinuation is and be ready to defend the differences. What is being depicted as 'hoarding' on television is in actuality a compulsive behavior not the act of someonerationally planning for the future. Often the compulsive hoarder has experienced some trauma in their life, has a form of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), has a genetic disposition and family history of compulsive hoarding and many other traits that are not among those who plan and prepare for the future of their families.
Dr. Randy Frost, Professor of Psychology, Smith College, explains OCD here.
Most of us who live the life of preparedness and plan for future uncertainty do not fall into the same category as a compulsive hoarder. We would not be able toprocess the news and information we hear and see, thus planning for our future well-being if we were 'hoarders'.
We also know that we can't prepare for everything, thus perfectionism is off our radar as an indicator of that compulsion. If we had intense emotional attachments to items, how is it we have the thoughts of storing bartering goods? If we truly were hoarders, we wouldn't be able to even think ofbartering stored items. I will admit to understanding the necessity of not wasting objects; however, a prepper must make a distinction in priorities due to space, budget and time. In reality, we do know, some things just have to go.
In no way do I make light of the debilitating struggle a true compulsive hoarder faces. My heart breaks to think of those trapped in that cycle. But preppers are not hoarders any more than a compulsive hoarder is a prepper. So the next time the word 'hoarding' becomes insinuated in your preparedness lifestyle by those less enlightened, hopefully you'll remember the difference and be assured you've not gone over the edge.
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- Don't miss my interview with FerFAL, Fernando Aguirre, and our discussion about the realities of an economic collapse and safe havens for Americans.
- In this episode I talk with Lou Manfredini about DIY safety, Seth Pereztman of Owings Metals about the drop in silver and gold prices, and the top items preppers store.
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