The Art of Always Being Prepared
‘Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.’ ~Marcus Aurelius
Life throws a myriad of challenges our way – be it a demanding project, a personal crisis, the loss of someone dear, a spat with your partner, or even a fantastical zombie apocalypse.
One approach is to prepare for every conceivable scenario: gather your survival gear, hone your skills, meticulously plan your work, set your affairs straight, anticipate conflicts, and so on.
But here lies the dilemma: the future is unpredictable. You might spend a lifetime gearing up for different situations, yet never truly be ready. And who wants to spend their entire existence merely preparing?
There’s a more profound way to brace yourself for life’s uncertainties – by cultivating skills that equip you for virtually any situation.
This is the essence of a survival kit for life.
First, embrace this philosophy: you can’t foresee every detail of what’s ahead because the future is inherently uncertain. Understand that external events are mere details; what truly matters is your internal response. Preparing internally is the key. So, let’s focus on developing inner survival skills to navigate whatever the future may bring.
Second, a bit of groundwork before the deeper prep: While external details aren’t paramount compared to your inner state, having your house in order still holds value. This means managing your finances – eliminate debt or have a clear plan to tackle it, build an emergency fund, live within your means, and invest wisely. Simplify your possessions and time. Prioritize your health – eat more whole foods, especially vegetables, and cut down on processed foods, stay active. When these aspects are in place, navigating the rest of life becomes significantly smoother.
The Survival Kit
Embrace these principles, and you’ll be prepared for anything life throws your way—be it everyday tasks, personal events, crises, or major life changes.
- Mindfulness: This is the cornerstone. Without practicing mindfulness, the other skills won’t be effective. Start with meditation—focus on your breath for a few minutes each morning. As you improve, you’ll become more attuned to your internal state during external events. For instance, if someone yells at you, mindfulness allows you to notice your increased heartbeat, panicky feelings, or a hot flush, signaling what’s happening in your mind.
- Observe Your Internal Response: As you become more aware of how your mind reacts to external events, you can begin to guide those responses. If a last-minute project causes shallow breathing and a tight chest, you can recognize the anxiety and resentment you’re feeling. By acknowledging these reactions, you can choose your actions instead of being controlled by them.
- Identify Attachments: Difficult emotions like anxiety, anger, or fear often stem from something you’re attached to. With practice, you can quickly identify what you’re clinging to. For example, if someone says something hurtful, your anger might come from an expectation that people should always treat you kindly. Recognizing this attachment is crucial.
- Let Go: It’s natural to hold onto ideals, but when these ideals cause pain, practice compassion for yourself and let them go. Accepting that people won’t always treat you well helps you embrace reality. Letting go of unrealistic expectations allows you to accept the full range of human behavior without forcing your ideals on reality.
- Respond Appropriately: Acceptance doesn’t mean inaction. It means letting go of painful ideals and responding without anger or resentment. If a child breaks a dish, you can react with anger (“They shouldn’t break dishes!”) and yell (not skillful), or you can calmly ensure they’re okay and discuss how to avoid it in the future. Calm, compassionate responses help us handle crises, losses, or conflicts more effectively.
- Stay in the Moment: We exacerbate situations by dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. In the present moment, things are manageable. Mindfulness helps us recognize when our thoughts are elsewhere and brings us back to the now, where we can meet challenges with calmness and compassion.
- Be Grateful & Accept the Moment: Reality can be harsh, but we can choose to accept it and find gratitude in it. This practice is challenging, especially in difficult times, but it helps us see the beauty in our current reality. Embracing gratitude and acceptance brings peace and equips us to deal with whatever comes our way.
It might seem overly simplistic to say that this survival kit of dealing with life will help us be prepared for any situation. And it is. But there’s nothing wrong with simplifying things, if only to help us focus our efforts on what’s most important.
In my experience, these skills matter. They make a huge difference. Practice them, and see how you’re able to deal with life in an entirely new way.
