The year my mother died, one of my sisters and I cleaned her room a little after the funeral, and we found Christmas presents for her kids and grandkids. She died about three weeks before Christmas. But interestingly she was sick for sometime before that. She was always prepared. She would purchase gifts ahead of time to ensure she wasn’t caught in the chaos of shopping. She loved Christmas, but she didn’t like the crazy that came with it.
That discovery struck me deeply, not just because of the tenderness of her thoughtfulness, but because it spoke to a mindset: the mindset of preparedness. She lived with the belief that life is unpredictable, yet love and care could be steady. Even though she didn’t know she would not be there for that Christmas, she had already put her mark on it. Her readiness meant her presence was still felt, even in her absence.
Preparedness is not just about buying things ahead or stocking up; it is about positioning ourselves for what we know and don’t yet know. It is about anticipating change, planning for tomorrow, and still leaving space for life’s surprises.
We often live in a rush, reacting instead of preparing. We scramble when crises come, when deadlines arrive, when opportunities show up at our door. But I’ve come to realize that true peace comes when we live like my mother did: ready. Ready in our responsibilities, ready in our relationships, ready in our spirit.
Preparedness also speaks to discipline. It means doing the quiet, sometimes unnoticed work before it is demanded. The quiet work that nobody notices. It means buying the gift early, setting aside the savings, making the call today rather than tomorrow. It means ensuring that when life calls, we can answer without panic. As my mother would tell me growing up, “Better late than never is rubbish.” She wanted me to be prepared and be early. When you are early, there is no need to rush.
What does preparedness look like for you? Maybe it’s updating your résumé even when you’re comfortable in your job. Anything can happen, especially when you work for someone else. It’s not your place, so you can be put out at any time. Maybe it’s keeping your health in order before illness forces you to. Taking care of your health is extremely important. Don’t wait until something happens, and then you look back saying, “If only I had.” Maybe it’s investing time in your family, so love is deep and strong when tested by absence.
My mother’s simple act of wrapping presents ahead of time continues to teach me that preparedness is a gift, one we give ourselves and others. It is not fear of the future, but faith in it. Preparedness is love in advance. It’s knowing that whatever happens, we are there for each other.
So today, I ask myself and I ask you: Am I prepared? Are you?
Let me know your thoughts; I genuinely want to know, and I’m sure others do too. Feel free to comment 👍🏽, but if you’re not comfortable, reach out to me through any medium. I’d be thrilled if you could share something, anything, and let others know. 🙏🏽 Your comments help me understand your perspective and often present a completely different view on the topic. They could even inspire another blog. 😉 And you never know how your comment might benefit others. Always remember, life is meant to be lived, and you should always strive to live your best life. #lifeisforliving #liveyourbestlife #gratefulforlife #faithgreaterthanfear
See you next Wednesday at 8:00 p.m., Bogotá time.
I haven’t commented on your page for a while, but I read and appreciate your weekly posts. As usual your thoughts and mine are sooooo similar. I guess that’s what they mean by birds of a feather… But I digress.
I agree, preparedness is about faith not about fear. It is one of the reasons that as I live my life to the fullest, I ensure that I make plans for my departure, which is inevitable. I believe that just as in faith we prepare for life in the hereafter, we should also prepare for those we will leave behind. Like my mom did, who left a Will that made it easier to navigate the reality of her earthly remains, I too have taken a leaf out of her book of life. I pray you all have too. It doesn’t mean I’m macabre and “willing” myself to death. It simply means I’m preparing to make life easier for my loved ones who I’ll leave behind. You see none of us knows the hour… In fact I’ve had a Will since I was 18 years old, which was many moons ago.
Be prepared!
Thank you so much my friend.
I know it’s not the easiest thing in the world to be prepared but we have to try. It’s not as you say about fear but just to put things in place.
This…. So funny that this has been on mind all week. Very insightful.
Thanks much. Let’s prepare.
Ahhhh Andrea, I smiled when I read this.. as it has opened my eyes to a different side of being prepared.
My mom passed last September suddenly, and she was in the midst of sewing the curtains for Christmas. She was preparing them for me .
In her absence she ensured her love was felt. She was prepared.
I have much more in being prepared and will make it more deliberate.
Thanks for your consistency,being prepared and showing up
That’s the thing with preparation it’s done to ensure things are in order, consistent and deliberate. That’s all we can do.
All this is so true and resonates with me because though rhe words or insteuctions may not be there for us to all live by the actions of those we admire and love comes through easily with this article. Throughout my life i have lived by its not what you do its when you do what you do and why. This was my grandfather saying and he died when i was 12. Thanks to thus article i smiled because he prepared me and steered me without me even realizing it. Aww Andrea you are a gift. As we prepare lets make our actions and words help to prepare and steer others.
Blessings
Thank you so much. Your grandfather was a wise man. Hindsight shows he prepared you for life and you have to be grateful.
Thank you for sharing these great words of wisdom. I am notorious for doing things last minute. And in a panic. This year I vow to buy Chrismas gifts early and avoid the chaos of the season.
Preparedness is key. Go for it. Do the shopping before the chaos.