Survival Survey: What makes YOU a survivor?
photo by eglabe 19
Amazon sells hundreds, if not thousands, of books about survivors. Some tell stories of hardy individuals who have survived being lost at sea or stranded in the wildernss. Others simply list common characteristics of people who tend to be survivors. I’ve learned a lot from these books and have been inspired by them, but I always end up comparing myself with these tough-as-nails individuals.
Today’s Survival Survey asks this question: what chief characteristic makes you a survivor?
I’ve given a lot of thought as to why I focus on preparedness and survival while others do not, and I would say that my chief survival trait is that I’m a realist. The truth of a matter may scare me to death, but I’d rather know the truth so I can begin dealing with it. I’ve told my husband, “If you ever cheat on me, let me know. I’d rather know, and begin planning your death, than live in a world of pretend.” Not surprisingly, he’s been a wonderfully faithful husband for nearly fifteen years!
Before you click away from this, tell us!
What makes you a survivor?
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What makes me a survivor is my knowledge that my life could have taken many different paths, and that I would be able to be personally successful in all of them. I have faced hardship and plenty, and things in between. I have moved across the country by myself, and I have suffered major traumatic injuries. Throughout all of these I improved what I could, learned from what I couldn't, and made wonderful jokes and stories out of what might have prevented my success. Because I am content to know that life takes many paths, I know I will be prepared to face those I come across in the future. And when my Excalibur arrives today I'll step up my work on making it easier to survive those paths!
It sounds like you're able to adapt to any situation in which you find yourself. No wonder you're a survivor! Enjoy that Excalibur!!!!
What makes me a survivor above all is my absolute refusal to give up, no matter what. I always find a way to take just one more step.
It has gotten me through being stranded on the prairie in a blizzard, rape, loss of multiple babies, a prolonged illness/near death/still struggling recovery of my husband, and…some days…just being stuck with lots of kids in a tiny house (esp during stomach flu season!). Knowing I’ve survived in the past, knowing that core of me is tried & tested and can always take one more thing keeps me going, too. (And also makes me so grateful for even the tiniest of blessings in situations.)
Sure there are days I wish things were different, when I have to deal with loss, sorrow, frustration or even hopelessness. But instead of letting it paralyze me I try to size things up, figure out what I can do to make things better…and if there’s nothing to be done to improve it, then I figure out how to take just that one next step, whatever it is (much often easier said than done).
But what it all comes down to is this: I am too darn stubborn to give up. So there’s my mantra: “Just one more step.” ;o)
Thanks for this comment. There have been so many times in my life when I've said to myself, "Just let me get through this…" I think this is a characteristic of a lot of women, trying to figure out how to make the best of a situation. You're just one more SurvivalMom who isn't giving up!
What makes me a survivor is that I too am a realist. I'm not a "sheep." Keeping my debts paid off is the most important thing to me, because after that, everything else is a little easier and the peace of mind of being out of debt is awesome. But I refuse to believe everything I'm told, because everyone has some type of agenda.
Listening to…whatever you choose to call it. My gut. The Universe. God. When I feel like I "should" do or not do something, I try to listen to that feeling and do or not do it accordingly. When I felt like I should take an infant CPR class, I did so. When I felt that we should stop by my mother in laws assisted living and talk to the administrator, we did so. Let me tell you, if you are ever in a situation where someone is about to die, the old folks home is the best place to be. They are TOTALLY used to it, and the ambulance knows exactly how to get there. Because I took that class and went to the admin's office, my then four week old son is still alive.
Listening is what makes me a survivor. (And some serious bargain shopping – thanks for the skills on that one Mom!)
Whenever I've ignored that little voice inside my head, or maybe my heart, it's been a mistake. I really believe in a mom's intuition, especially when it comes to her kids.
I ignored the voice that told me we should go home in the middle of dh buying a new-to-him car. That was two weeks before the market crashed and cost us a bunch of money. I'm even better about heeding it now.
I think it's a matter of learning to trust your gut feelings or instinct or God or your guardian angel. After ignoring that small voice and then seeing the results, I've become more confident in speaking up, even when I know it might create an awkward situation. Or maybe it's because I'm going to be 50 next year, and I don't care so much anymore what people think. Either way, it's better than keeping my mouth shut when I'm feeling uncomfortable about something.
It wasn't about the seller. DH had been wanting to buy a new car and trying to find it for at least six months. I just wanted him to finally get it. Like when you KNOW you shouldn't, but you stop and get the kids the chicken nuggets because it'll make them so happy.
What does not kill me, makes me stronger.
Friedrich Nietzsche, Twilight of the Idols, 1888
German philosopher (1844 – 1900)
i whole heartedly believe in this statement and knowing that life is not seen through rose colored glasses is one
part of my survival mantra..my life started out rough and after being adopted things got better but i never lost my stubborn independent nature..my 17 yrs in the military adds to that so i can say there is no one item in my life that moves me in this direction..as you all know it is a mindset a way of life and i wont be changing it anytime soon
I call purchases like that (the chicken nuggets) a "shut up" purchase. The kid is whining for an expensive toy, so I buy a him a pack of gum or some small toy as a "shut up toy." Not sure if your car purchase was a, "shut up car" or not, though. LOL