Counting the cost, part 2

In thinking about ways of getting more prepared, I keep banging my head against possibilities.

For example, I expect supply chain disruptions, so I think stocking up on necessities would be a good idea.

I am so broke. 

I could think about think about things that it would be good to have, but there may not be much point to that thinking.

I am not as worried about that as I could be. There is a real frustration to being broke and not hearing back on job applications -- that is totally discouraging -- but at this point I am not despairing over not having a year's supply of food and toiletries and clothing and two week's supply of water. That could change, but it doesn't feel like the priority for now.

One part of that is that I do believe in intuition and inspiration. We can all receive guidance and it will not lead us all in the same direction, even for similar circumstances.

The other part of that is understanding that some of us have more resources than others, and that gives us different opportunities.

For example, Nassau County in New York enacted a ban on face masks. You can imagine how I would feel about that.

https://sporkful.blogspot.com/2024/12/wear-damn-mask.html 

Often the people who are most aware of the need for masking are disabled. Based on other problems with our society, they are often also poor. They might not be the people best able to risk challenging a mask ban.

People who have money and connections could often be the most useful. They rarely are, but they could be.

The questions I keep asking myself lately are what am I supposed to do and what lack I yet.

"What lack I yet?" comes from the story of the rich young man told in Matthew 19. He was an essentially righteous person, but felt that he needed more. Jesus diagnosed him as being too attached to his wealth, but also capable of great service and probably leadership. He said, "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me."

That's not going to be the answer for everyone, but is there something you are not thinking about that you could be doing? Is there more that you have to give?

Then the other part of that is not to judge others. 

It might be very wise to start building up a food storage now, or to have had one that you were rotating all along, but there are people who can't do it. Are you going to decide that they have been unwise and feel superior, or are you going to acknowledge that for all of the good decisions you have made, you do not have full control over what choices you are presented?

The latter should helps us grow in gratitude for what we have and compassion for others.

If you do not have those, that is something that you lack.

Related posts:

https://preparedspork.blogspot.com/2024/11/emergency-preparedness-redux.html 

https://preparedspork.blogspot.com/2024/12/counting-cost.html