10 Obstacles to Achieving Personal Independenceselfnews Post Running in tandem with this reduction in physical self-sufficiency is the emergence of global governance that seeks a post-industrial world where people are destined to be centrally managed along with resources by a comparably tiny but powerful group of elites. Clearly it is becoming more difficult to achieve personal independence. But it is still possible with knowledge and planning.In order to achieve personal independence, it is essential to first identify the obstacles being presented, then do everything in our power to find ways over or around what is being put in our path to freedom. Skills: Modern society has all but eradicated the instinct of self-preservation. Just a generation ago it was common for both men and women to be knowledgable about how to fix household items, garden, prepare and preserve food, etc. Todays skills that are admired are in the digital realm. While some of these skills are essential in a high-tech world, many are obstacles to personal independence as they distract from the essential hands-on living that takes place in the real world. Re-focus on learning basic skillssuch as hunting, fishing, food preservation, electrical, and plumbing, among others. Commit to a path of self-sufficiency. Knowledge: The focus of modern education is centered around producing non-thinking drones who, by their very nature, are dependent on an operator. Its an education system thatprevents us from determining possible threats, let aloneputs zero emphasis on teaching real skills to deal with those threats. Once we gain the knowledge to recognize what threatens our freedom, health, finances, environment and so on, we will be armed with the motivation to break free. Then we must educate ourselves and children as to the path and methods needed to achieve independence. One of the most effective ways to ensure that our children are being taught how to live an independent lifestyle is to consider pulling them out of indoctrination centers and homeschool them. And once they are home teach them how to think critically by identifying the modern methods of mind control. Community: The concept of community is literally being turned on its head. The modern trend is to create a form of mob rule that is displayed in concepts like Communitarianism. This is a system where any true individual is perceived as a threat, instead of as an integral part of the whole. It seeks less diversity, not more. A strong local community is, however, essential in achieving ones personal independence, as it is a support structure during times of stress or hardship, as well as adding much-needed social bonding and the intellectual stimulation that comes from dialogue and debate. A group of other like-minded individualists who share values, resources, and skills can reduce the overall dependence on agencies and governments that seek exactly that. Although personal independence is the goal, having a tribe of peers for support makes it that much easier. Financial: The economy is working against us on so many levels, such as currency devaluation due to deficit spending on endless wars and corporate bailouts, which is resulting in rising food prices and a host of other pressures to our financial independence. But its also one of the primary reasons to seek independence. True freedom begins by firstnot being a slave to finances. One should explore solutions rooted in a decentralized model such aslocal co-ops and alternative markets, as well as barter networks and alternative currencies.For those with Internet skills, starting a blog or websitecan be a relatively fast way to generate extra income, or even to attain full economic freedom from nearly anywhere in the world. Buy tangible assets and explore strategies for insuring against economic collapse to remain independent regardless of overall economic conditions. Energy: Major industry stifles alternative and free energy inventions, Nikola Tesla being the best historical example of this suppression. Energy prices are also rising under the weight of a collapsing dollar. Continuing war in the Middle East is putting pressure on oil pricing, and coal supplies are dwindling along with government shutdowns over alleged environmental concerns. Now is the time to consider getting off the energy grid as quickly as possible.There are energy breakthroughs which seek to make this happen on a wide scale and should be investigated. In the meantime, you can make yourresidence more energy efficient through weather proofing, or by installing solaror wind poweras a good first step. There arealcohol options to run your vehicles. Reducing your dependence on outside energy sources also will be a priceless investment even without the prospect of economic collapse. And if a full-blown collapse does take place, you will be in a much better position to remain independent as core infrastructure fails. Water: There are many reasons why our global store of fresh water is in deep trouble. Everything from industrial pollution, environmental disasters, hydraulic fracturing, pharmaceutical poisoning, and a private corporate takeover by commercial bottlers like Coca-Cola and Nestlthreatens our most precious natural resource. Droughts can create shortages and drive up prices at any time. Ideally, one should have a source of water on site, but it is essential to at least identifysources of spring water in your area,then learn water storage techniques. It also good to have a water purifier for both travel and at home as a backup. Food: A looming food crisis is quickly coming to a head. Food inflation, shortages, and riots are being announced for 2013 by the mainstream media. We know that documents such as Henry Kissingers infamous Memorandum 200 called for using food as a weapon. To maintain independence during this crisis it is essential to learnthe best methods for off-the-grid food production. Even with a small property, you can convert your lawn to a perennial permaculture garden as shown in the video below. At minimum you can create a seed bank, or invest in bulk food storage to preserve food security as well as to have a store of tradable goods. At the very least, identify and support your local farmers markets, family farms and co-ops to build the strength of your own community which will help preserve your personal independence. Legislation: A wave of legislation seeks to criminalize personal independence. You have to know that when the Amish are being attacked and imprisoned, we are very far away from where we started. Raw milk demonization, an ongoing drug war that is a complete disaster, persecution for home gardens, and even declaring certain types of livestock to be an invasive speciesare all signs that legislation is out of control. The biggest obstacle to legislation is the power that we grant it. Any dictator can make a law, or create an agency to enforce made-up regulations. We must have the courage to resist and be active within our local communities to tell our government (and show them) where the line in the sand is. Tyranny never stops until it comes face to face with an entity bigger than itself. That entity is called We the People. For anyone who has done even a limited amount of research, or simply looks around with open eyes, our supposedly advanced modern world is becoming a veneer that is wearing very thin. Centralized government aims to demonize anyone who espouses concepts centered on an independent lifestyle. It is more important than ever that we spread the word about what central planners have in store for our world, then commit ourselves to standing our ground, not being slaves, and redoubling our efforts to preserve a strong, but peaceful co-existence. The only way to do this is to empower ourselves and others with the knowledge and skills that will remove the anxiety of being unprepared and defenseless. The open hand we extend should be one given to offer assistance, not to beg for it. Please share your own advice or strategies for personal independence in the comment section below. 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