We Are All In This Together

It is vital that we approach the future with optimism.  The world is not going to end in 2012 (I promise).  But the shiny standard of living that many are accustomed to is likely to end. I hope that we have all learned that it is not “things” and material possessions that create a rich life, but relationships and serving a higher purpose.  A severe downturn in the economy may give us the opportunity to connect more deeply with family, friends and community.  A sense of connectedness to others has been deteriorating over that past decades and it is high time for a course correction.  Which can be initiated by each of us or by outside forces. 

So here’s the good news.  If you prepare by making significant changes in the way you live, the intrinsic quality of your life will be better, whether or not times get tough.  This is important. Let’s say you make changes that result in greater family unity, greater self-sufficiency and a greater sense of community. What have you lost for all of your time and effort?  I urge you to create change in your life that will be better regardless of external events.  

There are three foundational principles that will bolster our personal and collective welfare as we relate to others and the world in which we live.  It is wisdom to focus on overarching principles rather than a checklist of activities or things to get.

These principles are 1) Self-Reliance, 2) Care for the poor and the needy, and 3) Service.

I have discussed many times various aspects of self-reliance.  This includes:

• Getting and Staying Out of Debt
• Becoming Food Secure – Storing and Producing your own Food
• Cultivating Skills that will always be in demand
• Stockpiling medical and health care supplies, including of course herbal medicines from Western Botanicals
• Personal security and home defense
• Making Friends and developing strong relationships with neighbors and community

I can go on and on, but you get the idea.

Next is caring for the poor and needy.  Imparting of our means can be as simple as writing a check or filling a box with canned goods.  This is good and necessary, but at the heart of truly caring for the poor should be much more than giving a handout.  Ideally, caring for those in need should incorporate providing opportunity for them to become self-reliant and instill within them the admonition to serve others.  The model of self-reliance and service linked with the objective of caring for those in need should also be applied to our relationship with children, family and friends. 

Too often as parents, we do things for our children that can actually dissuade them from self-reliance.  As we serve our children and those entrusted to our care, we express our love and devotion, however we must ascertain whether we are assisting in the path of self-reliance or of further dependence.  By giving and giving without the expectation that a person become self-reliant and self-sufficient, we teach (however subconsciously) to the recipient that they are to be served rather than they are to become self-reliant and give service. 

In essence, I could be creating selfish little monsters who continually demand more and more without feeling they should care for themselves or bless the lives of others through their personal efforts. Sadly, we are now seeing the results of this type of conditioning on a national and international scale.

Finally, the care of self and family must include serving others.  As we seek to bless the lives of others, our circle of influence broadens, and we also find that others' circle of influence crosses over into ours.  Not only do be bless the lives of others, but our lives in turn are blessed by them.  It is only by shedding the myopic behavior of tit for tat, that the windows of abundance open and flow into our lives.  We teach service by example.  By taking a child along when you help a neighbor or friend in need (and yes putting them to work along side with others).  We teach service by expressing sincere gratitude for those who serve and bless your lives.  Understand that a “service project” is rarely convenient.  Hopefully, you have learned by now, that not much of life that is truly worthwhile is going to be convenient.

Truly, we are all in this together.  As we roll up our sleeves and get to work by becoming more self-reliant, caring for those in need and cultivating a lifestyle of service, our lives will be blessed.  As we teach these principles to those within our sphere of influence, more lives will be blessed that in turn can bless more lives.

We give to you our sincerest hopes and prayers of peace and prosperity (not necessarily financial but emotional) during this season and for the coming months that at times may appear cold and bleak. May you find the inner strength and determination to be a light to others as you lead by example.

Dr. Kyle Christensen

Western Botanicals, Inc.  December 2011