Recently a friend, thinking it was relevant to Personal Safety Nets and awareness, sent me an eHow.com article related to disaster preparedness. I was intrigued.

The article read like something that might have come from the Red Cross: listing items to stock up on, steps to take, that sort of thing. It was thorough as far as it went. But as I read the comments I realized . . . Something is missing here!

Being prepared goes beyond having the right supplies or items on hand. In our work we help people be as resourceful and resilient as possible. We can't predict what will come up, although disasters would be one area to consider.

And here’s what seems to be missing: It's that people, individually or in groups, are the resources that will most reliably help us be safe. Yes, it's important to have items and plans in place! And to do this in advance of whatever's going on is good for sure. But, it’s the web of balanced relationships, well-thought through and appreciatively maintained, that creates the Personal Safety Nets we trust.