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Welcome to Great Living Stories, where real-life testimonies, faith-filled reflections, and practical readiness come together to strengthen hearts, homes, and communities.


Health Challenges
Dr Visit I want to apologize for being away so long. I recently had to go into the hospital. Although I am home now, I am still not quite up to speed. I'm not sure how long I will be out of it, but as soon as I am able, I will start posting again. Thank you for your understanding and patience. GL Skye
greatlivingstories
6 days ago1 min read


How Long does it Take to Lose the “Civilized Veneer” We Live Under? -The 1/16th-inch veneer of "decency."
Civilized Veneer Removal -GL Skye How Long does it Take to Lose the “Civilized Veneer” We Live Under? The storm of May 2026 wasn’t supposed to be a “catastrophic”. But by Friday night, the power grid across the tristate area had flickered and died. At Blackwood Ridge, an upscale mountain resort, the transition from luxury to savagery took less than forty-eight hours. On the first night, the guests were a portrait of civility. They shared wine by candlelight, joked about “r
greatlivingstories
Jul 234 min read


The Drone Defense Paradox
How to Legally Blind the “Eyes in the Sky.” Drones over City scape -GL Skye The End of “Vertical Privacy” For decades, we’ve secured our homes with a simple formula: locks on the doors, cameras at the gate, and a six-foot fence to mark the boundary. But that era is over. The perimeter has gone 3D, and the “navigable airspace” now extends right down to your front porch. Question: What is the one part of your property you feel is most vulnerable from above? Comment below. Dro
greatlivingstories
Jul 1812 min read


Does Your "Energy" Affect Those Around You.
Remain calm in a chaotic world - GL Skye Many years ago a manager where I worked, didn't really know him except in "passing', told me, "I'm waiting for the time you have a bad day." We were in the break room at work. I really only knew him from meetings and the occasional meeting in the break room. I wasn't exactly sure what he meant by that so I asked him. He told me, "You're always so optimistic, outgoing and positive. Always helping - I'm waiting for the day you're not." G
greatlivingstories
Jun 307 min read


The Doctrine of Calm: Why Fear is Your Best Tactical Data
Dealing with Fear - GL Skye Dealing with Fear Fear is something we deal with almost daily. Fear of making a mistake, fear of failing a test, or just fear of failure. The list goes on and on. In a world that feels increasingly unstable, fear isn't just an emotion - it's a tactical variable. When disaster strikes the fear factor is off of the charts. There are fears about our family’s safety and of those we care about. Fear of the potential dangers. Fear is a fact of lif
greatlivingstories
Jun 264 min read


What is the easiest "Prep"?
When it comes to being "prepped"—or my preferred term, Ready—the easiest preparations are the physical. Anyone with a credit card can buy "stuff." "Stuff" is nice to have, but it can also get you killed. What do you do when the world goes south and you lose every bit of it? If you think it won't happen to you, ask the survivors of Katrina who watched their "stuff" be confiscated by the very people they thought were there to help. The hardest things to "prep" are your spirit
greatlivingstories
Jun 243 min read


The Zero Percent Loss Standard
The Reason for the Core of Calm® Core of Calm® - GL SKYE I will not disclose the unit I was with or were I was stationed when this event occurred. I will say I was at a Division and the the Division Commander was my ultimate "boss". Scenario: We were deployed on a training exercise revamping our "combat skills", due to other missions preventing the units ability to train on combat missions. The scenario we were training on was the Iraq scenario (Note: This was long before OEF
greatlivingstories
Jun 224 min read


What Fiction Teaches About Real-World Readiness
Sovereign Eagles: Chaos Reins The Return to Life Series - GL Skye Can fiction actually prepare you for a crisis? At Great Living Stories, we don't just write "post-apocalyptic tales"—we build simulations. Here are 3 Real-World Readiness lessons from Sovereign Eagles: Chaos Reigns. 1. Ethical Decision-Making (The "Thomas" Dilemma) In Chapter 28, Russ catches a traitor plotting to blow up the group. In a lawless world, execution is easy. But Russ chooses exile over execution
greatlivingstories
Jun 172 min read


Faith: A Discourse
An Image of Faith - GL Skye What is “FAITH”? Is faith some abstract idea or notion that is thrown around like football? Is it something we only cling to when things go “sideways”? Perhaps for some it may be perceived as a “crutch” or a “life ring”; however it is not merely a “component” of our spiritual life, but the very atmosphere in which that life exists. Faith is not described as a vague feeling or "blind" belief, but as a confident trust in God based on His characte
greatlivingstories
Jun 1515 min read


The Survival Mindset: Turning Impossible Odds into Personal Readiness
When life throws you into the deep end, survival becomes more than just a physical act - it’s a test of spirit, faith, and resilience. I’ve always been fascinated by stories where people overcome impossible odds. These tales don’t just entertain; they inspire us to dig deep and find strength we didn’t know we had. Today, I want to share some of these motivational survival stories that have touched my heart and might just light a fire in yours. The Power of Faith in Motivation
greatlivingstories
Jun 105 min read


The 2026 Survival Readiness Audit Expert Survival Skills Test
Great Living Stories-GL Skye Are you truly prepared for the next 72 hours? Don't rely on luck. This 14-question Survival Readiness Audit tests your knowledge on critical skills like pace counting, water filtration, and emergency medical prep. Learn why Merino Wool is the ultimate survival layer and why your synthetic gear might be a fire liability. Take the audit to get your score. If you are looking for Readiness Classes sign up at GL Skye Academy. The Survival Readiness
greatlivingstories
Jun 96 min read


Grid-down Communications Training Exercise: T -REX 2026
T-REX 2026 - GL Skye What event or crisis do you anticipate will occur? Grid down? Financial Collapse? Both? Something else? The fact is we really don’t know what event or crisis we might have to face. This is why we need an Emergency Readiness Plan. Acquiring “stuff” without a plan isn’t “Readiness” – it is just unorganized hoarding. Not necessarily a good thing.
greatlivingstories
Jun 82 min read


Choosing the Right Path: A Lesson in Readiness
Canals in Iraq - GL Skye Understanding the terrain between you and “home”, or "home" and a bug-out location (aka "safe area") is critical. I may tell you things you don't want to hear, but I will always tell you the honest facts and the dangers you face, and how to overcome them. You can choose what you do with that information. During my deployment as the senior geospatial technician with CFLCC, I was tasked with providing ground analysis for much of the coalition forces. O
greatlivingstories
Jun 82 min read


Connecting with Uplifting Online Communities of Faith
In today’s fast-paced world, finding a place where you can nurture your faith and connect with others who share your beliefs can be challenging. That’s where uplifting online communities come in. They offer a unique space to grow spiritually, share experiences, and find encouragement without geographical limits. I’ve personally found that joining such communities has been a game-changer in my faith journey. If you’re wondering how to get started or deepen your connection, let
greatlivingstories
May 295 min read


Essential Inspirational Books for Your Journey: Motivational Book Resources to Empower Your Faith and Readiness
When life throws challenges your way, sometimes the best way to find strength is through the stories and wisdom of others. I’ve found that inspirational books can be like trusted companions on this journey, offering both faith-based encouragement and practical advice. If you’re looking to deepen your resilience and prepare yourself for whatever comes next, I want to share some essential motivational book resources that have truly made a difference for me.
greatlivingstories
May 254 min read


The Phoenix Covenant: Countdown to Launch!
"I am standing where the Euro-Asian, Philippine, and Pacific plates all come together... the water is boiling. This is not supposed to happen!"
greatlivingstories
May 212 min read


Point of View
Point of View
greatlivingstories
May 163 min read


THE SELF-RELIANT SOUL OFFERS A STATEGIC BLUEPRINT FOR RESILIENCE, READINESS AND PERSONAL SOVEREIGNTY
Press release for The Self-Reliant Soul Survival Series

GL Skye
May 142 min read


Inferno or Inundation: Which Is Harder to Survive?
Fire vs Flood: Essential Safety Protocols & Risk Assessment Download your Free Readiness Checklist –Stay Ready. Remain Calm. Is one worse than the other? So, fire or flood, which of these two are the most dangerous? Which of these two is the hardest to prepare to survive? In my opinion being ready to handle these events, require similar types of planning. In this article, we will discuss the dangers associated with both events, some activities to help you be ready for an even
greatlivingstories
May 88 min read


Comparison Between Rome and America
Comparison between Rome and the United States Log in and stay connected for upcoming book releases, blog posts, and more. Stay Ready. Remain Calm. An Update about this Article: I originally wrote this article 1 August 2018, so 8 years ago. The comparisons I recognized back then are truer now in 19 April 2026. Introduction While working on another article, I looked up what caused Rome to fall. I happened across an article, “8 Reasons Why Rome Fell.” As I read the article I c
greatlivingstories
Apr 1917 min read
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