We are talking about making yourself "quake proof". Putting a structure in place that can help you withstand any personal quake and its followup tsunami that may come your way.
The true facts are that you can still be flatten no matter how prepared you are. When it's a force that overwhelms you...you can be knock flat before you know it. But sometimes what you do ahead of time can help there be less damage..and sometimes what you do ahead of time can help you get back up faster. So it truly is prevention...maybe prevention of something "worst" but prevention all the same.
As I was writing that I found myself back on the roof of a hotel in Sri Lanka near the ocean. I went there in 2006 to work with a team of people in some of the camps where people still live who were displaced by the tsunami that hit that area in December 2004. The devastation was still apparent. I couldn't sleep and was standing on the roof looking out trying to imagine a wall of water over a house tall coming at me. As the water hit the rocks the sounds were chilling and deafening. I remember being in awe of the power of nature.
In awe of what happens when nature is unleashed. I was chilled by it and went back inside. I still have that feeling when I look at what has happened to me over the past 3 years when my own quake and tsunami hit me. There is still devastation to be dealt with. And I work on that every day. But what I know is clearly this...if I had done some personal prevention ahead of time...the impact may not have been as great.
It is a lesson I am taking to heart and that's why I share what I do. I would never say I will not fall again. This is life after all :). But I am saying I will be better prepared this time..and I want you to be too.
So today...a bit about dealing with food and drink..they are part of the first step in being prepared...taking care of your physical self. Yesterday we talked about sleep. Today food and drink.
You need to eat the best you can. I know that can be hard when you don't have alot of money. When you have only a few dollars it's easier to say "I cannot figure this out" and grab a bag a chips. But you can figure it out if you take a little time. You have to look at food as fuel and you need to figure out what fuel works best for your body. And then be prepared.
I have part time jobs that are very demanding. I am on my feet for long stretches at a time. If I take some food along...I do better. If I don't... I head for the little Tootsie rolls and that has a totally different affect on me. Being prepared makes a difference. Food is fuel and you have to figure out what works best for you. Then take the time to make sure you eat.
I have a friend who eats maybe once a day...and it's usually not anything healthy. She looks drawn out and doesn't feel well a lot of the time. Her body needs fuel..so does yours and mine. When we don't get it over a period of time...our bodies will start to show it. And that makes it harder for us to deal with things that come our way.
And now a bit on drinking. I am not talking about water or even coffee. I want you to be aware of what else you drink and how you may be using that to get you through whatever you are dealing with. I am not here to judge you. There have been times when I drank more than I thought. When I did realize I was coming home every night and having a drink or two or sometimes three I stopped.
And I have to say during the past three years I have rarely drank. It is just something I just choose not to do. Pain is pain and will need to be dealt with sooner or later...and dealing with it with a clearer head I find helpful. So just check yourself. Do you think you drink too much? Is that the first thing you reach for when you are stressed?
Maybe there is a better choice...tomorrow I will give you a couple of them.
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