I’m not quite back in the habit yet of getting this blog out in a timely manner — more so, since I’m pretty tired this morning. March is marching upon us like a lion.

We were up just before 1 am and hanging out in the bathroom; we don’t have a basement or storm shelter, so when there’s a tornado warning for our area, that’s our safe place. Spring seems determined to do that whole “in like a lion” thing, and we’ve dealt with severe weather for two nights, straight; last night was the worst of it. We’re safe, fine, and have power, and I really expected the likely outcome would be a power outage.

Several weeks ago, our area was hit by an ice storm, but we didn’t get the brunt of it until the third round in as many days. The power went out here, but it was back up by day’s end; other people in our county weren’t as lucky. Quite a few in our area were without power for several days.

The point is — you can prepare for the unexpected, but you never really know if your preparations were enough, unless or until something happens. Every circumstance is unique. But I will also argue, particularly after being raised in a Boy Scout family, that being prepared is the best way to meet any given situation.

I spoke last week about diligence, which includes preparing yourself in appropriate ways to meet challenges, both expected and unexpected. Challenges can be good, as well, although we tend to address positive challenges with different language: opportunities. Regardless, any challenge, any opportunity — requires adaptation and change, whether it’s for a moment or a lifetime.

Trying to drive somewhere, and you come across a street that’s blocked? You can either sit there until it becomes unblocked, or turn to a block over and continue on your way.

You can end up with existential crises that you opt to ignore in the hopes they’ll resolve themselves, or you can grab that challenge and work it out so you can keep on your path.

One situation doesn’t really take much preparation; just a willingness to change course temporarily. The other can creep up on you until you realize you’ve tripped yourself up and need to have a Come-To-Jesus with that reflection in the mirror that hasn’t been completely honest with you.

I needed to be realistic with myself, and stop telling myself that my weight gains were easily solved. The physical act of losing weight is difficult enough, but I’ve gone on ad nauseum about the mental work required, and that’s what I need to solve. I started my 2013 effort (nearly 10 years ago, now!) by faking it until I made it; doing the physical until the desire to recognize the needed mental work began. I have been ahead in the game, knowing that the answer to losing my gains has its origins in sorting the mental reasons for allowing weight gain.

For me, carrying additional weight is a barrier. A protection. When I was at my heaviest, it was a way to withdraw from the world and from the challenges I faced. My default mode is to put up barriers of protection; it’s a physical response to a mental situation. Gaining weight, past the normal ups and downs, is an indicator to me that I still have work to do, so I’ve spent my time since returning home from my vacation, exploring the things that threaten me and what I can do to take control of those situations.

The road isn’t at an end. The dream isn’t over, yet.