I’ve been thinking about the value of work recently, and how much better our society would be if more were willing to really work.

Americans are lazy…

The Value of Work in Developing Character

Work is an antidote for anxiety, an ointment for sorrow, and a doorway to possibility. Whatever our circumstances in life … let us do the best we can and cultivate a reputation for excellence in all that we do. Let us set our minds and bodies to the glorious opportunity for work that each new day presents.

When our wagon gets stuck in the mud, God is much more likely to assist the [person] who gets out to push than the [person]who merely raises his voice in prayer—no matter how eloquent the oration.

~ Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Why Work?

Teach Children to Work

Teaching Kids to Work

Work is good for the soul. Work gets the problem fixed. Work builds the muscles, exercises the mind, and expands the horizon.

Ok, rant over. Now get back to work.

Or rather, growing starts for your garden from seeds.

How To: Grow Starts from Seeds

I barbequed for the first time this year yesterday. It felt good to be outdoor cooking again, but it was quite a reminder of the work that still needs to happen around my yard. (Sigh.)

Anyway, with springtime comes many new distractions. Some of them are good, and some of them just keep you from getting anything done.

Wise Bread has links to over 300 tips for staying focused today.

Stay Focused: 300+ Tips for Staying Focused

Venerable gun writer Massad Ayoob has an interesting piece on his blog at Backwoods home today: Where Cops Stand on Armed Citizens. From the article, “And I can tell you this: the majority of America’s street cops are on the side of citizens who lawfully and righteously protect themselves, with guns or otherwise.”

When my wife and I were getting our concealed carry permits, we went to my local police station to get our prints taken because they do it for free. When the officer helping us found out we were getting our permits, he encouraged us to carry, and to go buy a good assault rifle as well. I was quite surprised, because I had foolishly expected him to do the opposite.

A friend of mine took a much larger packet of information given out by our city and organized, edited, rewrote, and distilled it into a 12 page plan for getting your emergency preparedness items together. Each page has the steps to take for one month.

Each month has four different things to consider:

1. Food Storage Goal – items to add to your food storage supply.
2. 72 Hour Kit Goal – items to add or check in your bug out bag or 72 hr kit.
3. Home Security & Safety Goal – something to do around your home to make it safer.
4. Family Training Topics – topics to research and discuss with your family for the month.

Of course there are a hundred different roads you can take to preparedness, but this is a good plan and can give you an excellent start.

Feel free to pass this one along to your friends and family.

Download

12 Month Plan to Emergency Preparedness (pdf)