This is something that I have been thinking about for a long time. In fact, all my life. What happens next on this page is that you will be asked to participate.
Many events happen in our life without us having the opportunity of seeing it coming. Some of these events are positive like an unexpected bonus at work, an upgrade at a hotel or a long lost friend calls you. But sometimes they produce depression like the loss of a job, an illness or the loss of a loved one.
I don’t know what it is with me but I am obsessed with what happens next. Sometimes in church I plan out what would happen next, what would I do, if someone collapsed with an apparent heart attack. What exact words would I say to communicate to others who should call 911 and who should get me the AED. My 85 year old mother-in-law lives with us and I am constantly revising my plan as to what happens next if she should fall.
When I am shopping with my wife or at a restaurant, scenarios run through my head as to how I would protect her in the event of a robbery attempt. Hint: always know another way out and NEVER sit with your back to the door. Even walking down the street with her, I insist that I walk closest to the street and am constantly doing threat assessments on approaching cars. Crazy, huh? But I guess it is just the way most men are wired. We are protectors, sheepdogs positioned, trained and willing to guard the flock.
OK so this is where you enter the game. I will give you three scenarios, chose one, all three or better yet use your own real life situation. In what happens next is not just a one step process but should be at least three and most times many more but that is for you to decide. Safety, protection and survival are the main goals. Safety, protection and survival will be left to you to define.
Scenario #1 It is 3am and you are awakened by the sound of breaking glass, there is a thud and your dog yelps. Your 13 year old daughter is asleep in another bedroom but you cannot tell where the sound came from. Your wife is clutching your arm. What happens next?
Scenario #2 You and your wife are on cruise and you have just received a call that your soon to be ninety year old mother has fallen. Nothing has broken but her blood pressure is low which has caused dizziness and the fall. She is being released this afternoon. What happens next?
Scenario #3 Your dad, looking confused, is discovered walking neighborhood streets. Police and fire respond but dad is not carrying any ID, only a cell phone. He can’t recall his name or where he lives. He is OK medically and doesn’t require transport to the hospital but emergency personnel cannot just let him go. What happens next?
Now its your turn. Pick one or use your own, think through it and summarize it below.
Let’s all stay prepared for life is what happens when we are planning to do something else.
Michael Simpson
