Hurricane Sandy: Accountability and Entitlement

As I watch the news after Hurricane Sandy and see all of the angry people, I am reminded of other angry people after Hurricane Katrina. I do not want to in any way undermine the pain, panic and stress that these survivors are going through. Some have lost homes, family members, friends, vehicles, jobs, etc. There is a lot of loss, and that is horrific. After doing psychological first aid for the Joplin tornado I have seen first hand how natural disasters affect people. Natural disasters are not kind, and they leave trauma in their wake.

That said, there is a sense of entitlement that I don't understand. When a natural disaster strikes, why is it everyone else's job to provide you with things? The people had a week to prepare, and they did not get supplies? You have no food or water two days after the Hurricane hit, and that is the government's fault. How do you suppose that? Just because the United States has FEMA does not mean that it is their responsibility to cater to your whims.

Some people were told to leave, and they came back to nothing which is horrific. These are not the people that I am addressing. Those who lost houses, that is horrible and they need help. I am talking about the people who never left their homes. Either that or their homes are still standing. Those are the people I am addressing. The people who were totally unprepared for the aftermath. When it is winter time or there are storms headed your way, don't get caught with your pants down. Be prepared!

I feel that we would never have lasted 100 years ago. People were stranded sometimes for a couple of months without the ability to get into town after blizzards. They faced hurricanes with far less warning than we have today. Yet our grandparents and great grandparents survived. I wonder how they did it? They did it by realizing that they needed to have supplies at the ready. They held themselves accountable for their own well-being. When a hurricane is headed your way, that is no small thing. To not be prepared is negligent at best and might even be criminal!

It seems we can't last a couple of days after a natural disaster without resorting to, "I need," "I want," "You need to"  and "You have to." How is it everybodys responsibility to take care of you? Why did you not take heed of the warnings you received and get water and non-perishable food, just in case? Due to lack of personal responsibility it has to be someone elses fault, right? "It couldn't possibly be my fault, it must be the ______________(fill in blank with which ever politician or political party you want to blame)." Buck up and take some responsibility for yourself and your family.

There are resources coming to you, but they are a gift. What you will get: food, blankets, water, places to sleep, funding to rebuild are much needed. They are not something you are entitled to, though. You are entitled to take care of yourself and your family. Maybe even your friends and neighbors, but that is your responsibility. Everything else you might get is a bonus. Consider it grace, unmerited favor, something you do not deserve. Just because you live in Merica' doesn't mean that you deserve to get benefits handed to you.

Unfortunately, we are becoming a country that expects others to do for them when they are unwilling to do for themselves. People sit back on welfare, not looking for jobs. They can't afford to raise the kids they have yet they continue to have babies. I once had a client tell me, "I don't have to work. I have kids." As if that was an option! But this is an entirely different rant, so I will stop it.

Instead, let's look at what we need to have so that we can be prepared for a natural disaster if one does occur. Several years back, I had a learning experience in the form of an ice storm that kept us living in freezing conditions with no electricity for over a week. It is important to have a disaster supply kit, and here is a list of things that needs to be in it:

1. A gallon of fresh drinking water for each household member for at least 7 days each
2. Non-perishable food items for at least 7 days per family member (don't forget your pets)
3. Can Opener to open food
4. First Aid Kit
5. Flash Light with extra batteries and Self-Powered Lights
6. Self-Powered or Battery powered radio with extra batteries if needed
7. NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries
8. Waterproof Matches
9. Generator (if you can afford it) with spare gasoline
10. Sleeping Bags and Extra Blankets for each person
11. Hand Sanitizer and Moist Towelettes
12. No less than $50 in small bills
13. Photo Copies of your ID
14. Boots, Gloves, Jacket and a complete change of clothing for each household member
15. Multi-Purpose Tool
16. LED Lantern
17. Duct Tape
18. Plastic Sheeting
19. Camp Stove with extra Propane or Grill with extra Charcoal (Volcano Kettles are nice)
20. Clorox
21. Toilet Paper
22. Trash Bags
23. Emergency Whistle
24. Survival Knife, Shovel, Saw and Crow Bar
25. 5 Gallon Bucket and Kitty Litter (Handy Restroom)
26. Toiletries (Tooth Brushes, Toothpaste, Deodorant, etc.)
27. Prescriptions

If you can think of anything else, let me know and I'll add it to the list

The Joplin Tornado: One Year Later

So over the weekend I went to Joplin for Restore Fest. It was a year after the EF 5 tornado ripped through Joplin. It had winds that were estimated to reach 250 miles per hour and was on the ground for 22 miles while reaching a width of almost a mile. It leveled houses, businesses, schools, the hospital and churches. It left 161 dead in its wake. To say the least, it was a traumatic experience for many and left most of the residents of Joplin in shock.

I was in Joplin soon after the tornado hit to do psychological first aid to those who had survived the tornado as well as those who were there volunteering. The pictures and video that I had seen on television as well as the prep that we got on the way to Joplin from someone who had already been there left me ill prepared for the devastation that I was to see. Almost every vehicle that I saw people driving was without windows. The tornado had blown them out.

I met many people who were demoralized and down, and it looked like nothing I had ever seen. Every where you saw destruction. Joplinites had lost their jobs, homes, vehicles, pets and families. It may have left over 160 dead, but from looking at Joplin I would have thought that thousands had perished. They did not feel lucky, but they were. I was actually shocked that so few people were dead, based on the carnage that I saw.

This past weekend I came back a year later, for the first time since I had volunteered to counsel those who were left confused, scared, angry, depressed, desperate, etc. Most were experiencing a wide range of emotions a year ago, and a lot of those emotions they were feeling all at once. But you could sense their will and strength.

When I came back for Restore Fest, the survivors had regained their hope and pride because of their will and strength. It was amazing to see all of the construction that was occurring and the places that were in shambles just a year ago, now rebuilt and doing business. Joplin was back, slowly but surely.

I ate at the Chik-fil-A that a year ago had everything sucked out of the window and was completely bare inside. The Burger King that had only the play equipment intact with the building demolished was again in business. The houses may not have been rebuilt, but the carnage was cleaned up. New construction was going on every where you looked. I saw people driving cars that had windows in them. I saw people smiling, laughing and holding their heads high. They had overcame, and over 7,000 people showed up for Restore Fest.

Convoy of Hope was there and they partnered with many other agencies and organizations to do what Convoy does best. Give aid and hope to those who are struggling from disasters and poverty. There was a free event that provided groceries, a health fair, hair cuts, family portraits, lunch and a kid zone with rides and inflatables.

Then Restore Fest kicked off, with amazing worship by some amazing groups. There was Jeremy Camp, Mandisa, Sanctus Real, Andy Cherry (who is a great guy and has a heart for Christ), KJ-52, Rema Soul, Stars Go Dim and many others. It was amazingly fun and inspirational. I saw and heard some people's stories that had felt defeated just a year ago and now had hope.

My last stop on the way out of town was the Spirit Tree. It was strong, beautiful and stood strong when everything around it was blown away. It may have lost all that surrounded it and all it once knew, but it was still there inspiring hope in others.........just like the people of Joplin.

Today Spiritual Spackle is 1 Year Old!!

As of today, Spiritual Spackle has existed for one year. What that means is that one year ago today I began a blog that bears the same name of the book that I am currently writing. Spiritual Spackle the book and the blog are both dedicated to 2 things: Christ and Recovery. There are other things that I do talk about, but in reality all that I write about boils down to being in recovery and being Christ-like. Everything else is truly secondary. Do I write about being a husband, father and counselor. Yes I do, but without recovery and Christ I would suck at them, so the theme permeates all that I do!

When I first started the blog, I had hopes that it would be read at least 100 times a week. That would be 5,200 hits over the last year. You broke that, and it has been viewed 11,512 times. That is 221 times a week. I find it awesome that so many people care about reading what I have to say about Christ and Recovery. I just hope that what I write can help teach some, lead others and give hope to all who spare me several minutes of their time to stop by and read something I have written.

I did not even really think about the other countries that would visit this site. I would have thought maybe 10 or 20 if I would have been asked. Instead, there have been 84 countries that have stopped by Spiritual Spackle. You can see all of them at http://spiritualspackle.blogspot.com/2011/06/countries.html  The top 10 are:

1. United States
2. Russia
3. United Kingdom
4. Germany
5. France
6. Brazil
7. Canada
8. Slovenia
9. Australia
10. Philippines

I have had some blogs that have had more hits than others. The top one that I have ever posted had over 650 hits and it was not written by me. The top blog that I posted was viewed by over 200 people, and it is one of my testimonies. I am grateful that my finding recovery through Christ was interesting and hopefully inspirational enough that over 200 people have watched it. The rest of the top 10 are written by me or about the non-profit that I am forming. Here are the links to the top 10 blogs in my first year:

1. http://spiritualspackle.blogspot.com/2011/05/45-seconds-memoirs-of-er-doctor-from.html
2. http://spiritualspackle.blogspot.com/2012/01/celebrate-recovery-testimony-01192012.html
3. http://spiritualspackle.blogspot.com/2011/05/joplin-tornado-and-psychological-first.html
4. http://spiritualspackle.blogspot.com/2011/10/documentary-update-please-like-and.html
5. http://spiritualspackle.blogspot.com/2011/08/call-to-christians.html
6. http://spiritualspackle.blogspot.com/2012/03/reason-rally-atheists-agnostics-and.html
7. http://spiritualspackle.blogspot.com/2011/12/thank-youthe-journey-has-only-just.html
8. http://spiritualspackle.blogspot.com/2012/05/better-life-in-recovery-documentary.html
9. http://spiritualspackle.blogspot.com/2011/09/chris-rene-young-homie.html
10. http://spiritualspackle.blogspot.com/2011/12/i-have-enquiring-mind-i-want-to-know.html

What has disappointed me is the number of likes that I have gotten on Facebook. I have only had 142 like the site so far. It is found here http://www.facebook.com/pages/Spiritual-Spackle/208425445856402 and I would have figured that I would have at least 250 likes by now. Truth be told, if you want to like the site than like it. If not, at least continue reading. In the end, reading what is on this blog is much more important than clicking like. That said, feel free to share this blog with all that you know and I look forward to sharing more about Christ and Recovery with you in the years to come! Here is to Finding A Better Life Exists.........in Recovery!

Be Safe, 2012 is Gonna Be an Amazing Year

As 2011 passes, we have seen a year that has been rife with toil and strain. In Nigeria there were at least 39 Christians killed and another 50 wounded in bombings at Churches over Christmas. There were massive floods, tornadoes, cyclones, hurricanes, earthquakes and tsunamis that killed tens of thousands. There was  a nuclear plant melt down in Japan and wars/protests waged worldwide that were responsible for even more death. Kind of glad that 2011 is over.

For me, it was an amazing year. I made it through an entire year of substance abuse counseling without any of my clients dying. The team at my place of employment actually care about what they are doing! I found out that my wife was pregnant. She is amazing, as is my son. My sister and niece are great! I also have been blessed with an superb church family, that is supportive and compassionate.

I have just sent the first couple of chapters of the book I started writing this year, Spiritual Spackle, to an editor. I also began this blog that has been viewed in 50 countries and had over 6,500 hits in the 7 months it has existed. Finally, the project Better Life in Recovery is up and running. We have filmed multiple people for the documentary and the 501(c)3 is taking shape. Still have a lot of needs, if you want to contribute in any way please let me know!

The point I want to get to in this short blog is to be safe tonight. There will be multiple drunks out on the roads, and that makes travel very scary. If you are thinking of drinking and driving, please think again. There are only a couple of options that are open to you if you do:

1. Jail
2. Hospital 
3. Morgue
4. Home

Those are not the choices I want to choose between. I like number 4 and the rest suck. In the United States in 2010 there were over 1 million DWI arrests made. There were over 40,000 people who died in traffic accidents that were attributed to alcohol in 2010. This all adds up to one clear cut choice - DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE!!! It is not safe to do so, for you and everyone on the road!

We have a lot of events that are planned for the year 2012. I am going to want you to see my newborn in August. That, and I am going to need all of the help everyone can possibly give to get Better Life in Recovery funded so that we can begin bringing it to school and college aged youth and their parents as well as training for youth, parents, pastors, teachers and counselors so that they are better equipped to cope with the issues they will face. 

Remember, have a safe and happy New Years and may 2012 be your best year yet!