For now the new normal.... Indefinitely.

Lock down, Quarantined, Self Isolation, Seclusion, Sequestered, House Arrest...
For now the new normal.... Indefinitely.



One of the most advantageous qualities anyone could have in any situation is adaptability. Adaptability, I think is a learned trait/skill/quality. If one is never allowed to face adversity or challenges in which they must problem-solve on their own, then how would they ever learn how to adapt.

If a person's situations and circumstances are always taken care of by someone else, there is no way to learn how to adapt. I think this creates weak links in society. Personally, I love seeing kids come up with solutions, "I didn't have this so I used that and made it work!" or when they say, "I had to figure out how to..." and they do. I also have seen just as many say, "I don't know how, it won't let me." and give up. Not looking for a way around the challenge. They're good with others telling them what to do or letting other do for them, as they don't really know how to 'do' anyway. Not always, but often the product of the so called 'helicopter' or 'lawnmower' parent.


This isolation that Covid-19 has caused is annoying. Not that I mind not seeing other humans. However, I am not one who uses free time well. I am one that need a specific place to be at a designated time everyday, I need a consistent schedule that answers to others. This was discovered a few years ago during summer break, which led me to the realization that I could never retire. Good thing I really, really like my job.

So, adaptability... we all have been through trials that have forced us to adapt in one way or another. When my father was diagnosed with ALS, adaptation was necessary. Work schedule, physical work load, emotional and psychological acceptance and responsibility all needed to become adaptable, for any given day.


Other life challenges create moments to implement adaptability. One of the things Phil, my first self defense instructor says is, "He who adapts, survives."

Malcolm, has what he calls 'everyday reps', meaning that everyday, we have a chance to practice self protection, personal defense. Not necessarily the physical, more often all the other areas of keeping safe, like noticing things happening around you and taking action to keep safe, or paying your intuition and noting what it's trying to tell you. Things like that, among others.

This new normal, for now - indefinitely, gives us vast opportunities to practice adaptation, its all about the attitude. 

"Life's an adventure, whether you want it to be or not."

Being prepared for the unexpected is a superpower.

Having skills and resources to be able to respond to things is challenging to some and just second nature to others. Much of it is attitude. "The difference between an adventure and an ordeal is attitude." I would rather hang out with those who are problem solvers and can jump into a situation with resources. 

Having had opportunity to hang with disorganized people who have a difficult time shifting from their normal jumbled, haphazard self into the metaphorical shit's-hit-the-fan moment, is not fun. Those people make other people's lives not only more challenging, but dangerous.

Even if one feels they are only 'slightly' disorganized and think they're truly prepared, it is in that shift where there's a moment of befuddlement. That is called the gap. Lives are lost in the gaps. The resources to maneuver through the day and recognize a possibility of a situation or knowing that the situation is going down is important to have.

How does one acquire such resources? I think that for some it is an artifact from childhood. At least it is for me. My childhood hero was always prepared and always prevailed no matter what the hour threw at him. I emulated him and had stuff stashed in my pockets, in my shoes, on my person and bike that may be useful or handy for whatever may happen during that day. Needless to say, I carried a lot of shit. Bolts, washers, string, rope, pocket knife, all kinds of metal, plastic, and wooden doo-hickies, and odd and ends in case making a trade for other different stuff was necessary.

I think others who realize the necessity to build a resource of knowledge seek out the information and learn to adapt. Sometimes it's through opportunity, sometimes it comes from experience. And then there are those resources we may have that we don't even consider to be a resource. I have spent time in a place where, one day as I was washing dishes as part of my work at the place, somebody came up to me and asked if I knew how to drive a stick shift. Just out of the blue, didn't know my name or anything about me, nor I him. I answered, 'Yes, I do' and then he just walked away. Weird.

The next day, he again approached and said, 'Several of us would like to go into town to eat one evening, but none of us can drive a stick shift, and the only vehicle available is a stick. Could you drive us?' BOOM!! Adventure at hand, driving an overly-packed extended cab Ranger, full of fellow residence, and a monk from Tibet to a restaurant in Santa Fe. I got a free dinner and had an experience that resulted only because of the resource I was able to offer.

I don't live in a dangerous area. I live in an area that is so small and rural, we don't even have a traffic light anywhere in town. There are some paved road and not many sidewalks... so living on the edge of danger is not an everyday occurrence where I am. I know others who's neighborhoods often have the sound of gun fire. And there are other friends who live smack in the middle of skid row. Each of us adapt to our surroundings, and also have resources - innate or learned - that keep them more safe and ready to respond to what ever they may face.

It is with simple things, that test our mettle and resources, like running into a traffic jam on the route you usually take. Do you know the area well enough to have back up routes? Do you have a window of time that the delay won't cause much chaos. Do you have a good book or music to listen to? How about when you are parked in a parking lot and something odd has caught your attention, are you in a position to be able to leave the area quickly or do you have to back up and maneuver around other vehicles to get away? How about when coffee is spilled all over your white shirt. Do you have a spare shirt in your backpack?

I have whittled down many of the items I use to carry with me as a kid. I don't usually trade stuff with others anymore. The string and rope are now just one long piece of paracord. I don't leave my house without my pocketknife and the newest everyday carry edition is a flashlight, small enough for my pocket, but long enough to damage if necessary. And then in the daypack, a first aid kit, a bigger flashlight, a tourniquet and other things that may be necessary at any given moment. Ok, maybe not whittled down from the amount of stuff I carried as a kid, but changed out to more realistic necessities. Guess that might be called 'adulting, no?

Take innovatory of your resources, and think about those things you have to offer that you may not even consider as such... forging signatures or working a sewing machine (resources I may or may not have had to offer at some point in time). We all have something that we can do or offer up.  The more you are capable of doing or giving, the better your circumstances.