I’ve said a lot on this blog about the positive effects a recession or a depression could have on self-reliance. I am a huge proponent of self-reliance. I believe in compassion and help for the down-trodden and under-privileged, but all with the goal of getting them standing on their own two feet. In fact, I value self-reliance more than comfort or wealth creation. In other words, I believe that knowing that you are able to provide the necessities of life without leaning on others generates far more satisfaction than having a new sports car or a blinged out watch.

For that reason, stories like this one from Kauai get me excited. Strangely, it actually gets me excited about our economic “dire straits.” Why? Because it is a small indicator that we are being forced to return to our real American roots.

There are other small indicators, too. The fact that Obama has to beg people to refinance on their mortgages. News stories about families returning to backyard gardens. Record drops in consumer credit card usage. Numerous other news stories show Americans rejecting the illusion of undisciplined, credit-fueled consumerism for a clear-eyed, work-centric philosophy of self-reliance.

People say America is going down the toilet. I say we’re coming back to our senses.
 

The awful truth that should be dawning on us right now is that the institutions we trust to provide us with stability and prosperity are flawed and frail. When it comes down to it, we cannot rely on government, companies, banks, or markets to save us, as much as we've come to depend on them. Who can we rely on? Ourselves.

This recession should be a wake-up call to all of us to return to self-reliance. If you think about it, who's really in charge of making sure you have food, water, shelter, and safety? Is it really some group of rich guys in a big shiny building thousands of miles away who don't know you from Adam and really could care less about your needs? Are they really the guys you should be trusting with your life? The answers are you, no, and no.

Just to remind those who may not know what self-reliance is, the best way to understand it is to imagine what would happen if all of the systems you currently rely on for the necessities of life suddenly disappeared. What if water no longer came out of the tap? What if there were no more grocery stores stocked with food? What if you couldn't buy new clothes at the store?

The next question is: how would you make sure you and your loved ones had all the necessities of life in that situation? Dedicated practitioners of self-reliance grow their own gardens, sew and mend clothes, learn carpentry and minor repair skills, and store a little extra food for emergencies. Some even learn wilderness survival and purchase durable, long-term camping gear.

Although you may not want to go as far as these individuals, a little self-reliance is a great way to buffer your household against the effects of recession. For instance, put away a little food storage- you never know when food prices might skyrocket again. Also, keep first aid supplies on hand and know how to use them, in case you have an emergency to which 911 can't respond.

Bottom line: learn to cover your back. Learn a trade. Put a little money, food, and supplies away for a rainy day. Hope for the best. But be prepared for the worst.