Being Prepared

February 9, 2015
Being Prepared
I think the Boy Scouts are on to something.

“Be Prepared… the meaning of the motto is that a scout must prepare himself by previous thinking out and practicing how to act on any accident or emergency so that he is never taken by surprise.” Robert Baden-Powell

These past couple of weeks have been a mental preparation for my journey to improved health and a vital life more fully lived. And that preparation has brought me to today, the launching pad for the next leg of my journey. Today I begin a formatted and planned effort of better nutrition and hopefully more significant weight loss, specifically the 20/20 Diet by Dr. Phil.

I have more confidence than I usually do when starting something new. I can only attribute this to my preparation.

Typically, I tend to be impulsive, and when I make a decision I just go with it and roll with the flow. Well in hindsight, the flow often bounces me around like a ship in a storm without an anchor. Sometimes I end up in a cool place, but sometimes I capsize and am just grateful to make it back to shore. This time I have charted my course and leave stocked up with all necessary supplies. And the weather looks good, I’m anticipating a much smoother sail.

Being prepared is also a mind set and a definite confidence booster. I feel so much more in control.

Ordinarily I would just react and make decisions as each situation, including meals, presents itself. By thinking forward and being prepared, I already know what I will be eating at each meal for the next five days. I’ve already done the shopping and have all of the necessary ingredients readily available. I am in control.

There are other little things that make a difference. Last night, right before bed, I made sure that my kitchen was clean and I started the dishwasher. When it was time to prepare my breakfast this morning everything was ready for me. There was no leftover task to delay me or cause me to deviate from my course.

I purposely set out to change my life. This requires forming new habits and finding new ways of doing things. The way I was doing things was okay, but far from effective for the life I want to live. These changes are starting to become habit, a new way of living. Each change brings greater hope and excitement.

As I stated earlier, these past few weeks have been a mental preparation for a different and more vital way of thinking and living. The past week I have been reading and studying the book outlining the 20/20 Diet. I’ve prepared for consistent and measurable activity with a FitBit and new athletic shoes. Yesterday, I prepared for five days of healthy and nutritious meals. And each morning I prepare for the day with my devotional, time in Scripture, prayer and writing this blog / journal.

Now this doesn’t mean that everything will go perfectly as planned or that there won’t be a storm. It does however mean that I will be far more prepared to face any obstacle and I am definitely more confident.

I’m going to channel my inner Boy Scout and remain prepared.