For years, I've heard people describe preparedness as fearmongering.
The assumption seems to be that anyone who keeps extra food in the pantry, stores water, learns practical skills, or prepares for emergencies must be living in fear.
I disagree.
In fact, my experience has been exactly the opposite.
I've been involved in preparedness since the days leading up to Y2K, more than twenty years ago. During that time, I've discovered that preparedness isn't about fear at all. It's about peace of mind.
Think about the things we do every day.
Most of us carry auto insurance.
Many of us have health insurance, life insurance, or homeowners insurance.
We save money for emergencies.
We keep spare tires in our vehicles.
We lock our doors at night.
None of those actions are considered fearmongering.
In fact, society generally views them as wise and responsible.
Why?
Because they provide a safety net if something unexpected happens.
Preparedness is no different.
A savings account is a form of preparedness.
Insurance is a form of preparedness.
A stocked pantry is a form of preparedness.
Learning first aid is a form of preparedness.
Preparedness simply means planning ahead.
One of my favorite stories is the fable of the ant and the grasshopper. While the grasshopper spends his time enjoying the moment, the ant quietly prepares for the future. When difficult times arrive, one is ready and the other is left wishing he had planned ahead.
The lesson isn't about fear.
It's about wisdom.
Over the years, I've also noticed something interesting.
Sometimes the people who mock preparedness are often the ones who seem most uncomfortable discussing uncertainty.
It's easier to laugh about potential problems than to think about them.
It's easier to assume someone else will take care of everything.
But storms happen.
Power outages happen.
Job losses happen.
Medical emergencies happen.
None of those realities require fear. They simply require planning.
As someone who has struggled with severe anxiety for much of my life, I've spent a great deal of time thinking about fear.
One of the most valuable lessons I've learned is that preparation often reduces fear.
When I know I have food in the pantry, I worry less.
When I know I have emergency supplies, I worry less.
When I know I have practical skills, I worry less.
Preparedness doesn't increase my anxiety.
It decreases it.
I don't prepare because I expect disaster around every corner.
I prepare because I want the freedom to live my life without constantly worrying about what might happen.
I prepare so a temporary power outage doesn't become a crisis.
I prepare so a supply shortage doesn't create panic.
I prepare so unexpected events are inconveniences rather than emergencies.
In other words, I prepare because I want peace of mind.
The goal of preparedness isn't to live in fear of tomorrow.
The goal is to be able to enjoy today.
Prepare for the worst.
Hope for the best.
Then go live your life.
That philosophy has carried me through more than two decades of preparedness and, perhaps more importantly, through a lifetime of learning how to face fear itself.
That journey is one of the reasons I wrote I Closed My Eyes and Went Anyway, a book about learning to move forward despite fear and anxiety. Sometimes courage isn't the absence of fear. Sometimes courage is simply taking the next step anyway.
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