On Preparation

There was a question posed on the Secrets to Peace discussion page concerning the balance between living in the now and preparation for the future. I agree that this is a challenge. I think the answer is to prepare for the future, but to be in the “now” as you make those preparations.

I have learned that a little preparation can save me a lot of stress. Let me demonstrate what I mean.

I typically keep a couple of reflections and a couple of secrets ready to be published so that I am prepared to submit my newsletters on time.

Sometimes, however, I get up and do not have my writings ready for the day. Usually, when this happens, it is no big problem. I wake up early, feeling creative; sit down to write and the words flow. I publish the newsletters and then go on with the other work at hand.

Other days I get up and life happens. My daughter can not find a missing sock and the whole world crashes in.

I switch hats from writer to mediator, from problem solver to peace keeper. If all goes well, I do not get caught up in the drama; I do not take offense at a mean mouth. Most often I survive the mini-crisis undisturbed and am able to carry on with the work at hand.

Sometimes, however, the work at hand suddenly changes. A bomb is dropped in my lap.

“The teacher is expecting you to be at school, to help until 10:00.” I am informed. Or, I need to walk away from the writing because I must make a trip to the bank, or to a store to pick up some absolutely necessary, last minute item.

I usually want to know why I could not have been informed a day or two earlier, but I know that even finding an answer to the question will not change the choice I have to make now.

It is really no choice at all. I get ready, drop the writing till later, and go to school. I help out there and enjoy being with my, previously cranky, child because life will never have enough of these opportunities. I know I have the rest of my life to write newsletters, and only a few precious moments to interact with my daughter.

The good news is that the assist at the school affords me the opportunity to once again build a reserve, be it a small one, of writings, so that the next time “life happens” I will not be caught off guard.

I learn, once again, that some preparation helps me to flow through unexpected challenges, with a little more grace and a lot less stress.