Preparation is the action or process of making something ready for use or service or of getting ready for some occasion, test, or duty. It is implied in the understanding of preparation that movement from one situation to another involves effort, movement and sometimes a degree of risk and uncertainty.

Preparation may and often does happen in conjunction with other circumstances where the process is happening. One of the earliest and most dramatic examples of this multi-dimensional process of preparation that occurs around the birth of a child. As in this example, some of the preparation is natural and involuntary. Some is totally deliberate and intentional.

The unborn child makes incredible changes in the process of preparing to be born. Most of this preparation is simply the natural process of gestation, culminating with entry into the world at the appropriate time. The preparations going on in the outside world are also very dramatic and life changing. Some, like the physical and emotional preparation just happen. Others, like acquiring baby clothes, furniture, etc. are done consciously and deliberately and are basically under the control of the mother.

Other family members, friends, co-workers and others in the network of people who will have interaction with the new baby have various types of preparation to make for the adjustments another person in their life makes. Some of these may be far-removed from the approaching birth itself. An example of this could be a supervisor or HR person who has to arrange work coverage during maternity leave.

In reality, this process of making something ready for service or getting ready for some occasion, test or duty is going on constantly, all around us, in so many ways we lose sight of some of them. The child going to school is part of the family experiencing changes like new siblings being born, job promotions and changes for parents. Sometimes there are moves from one house to another, which may involve changes towns and, or schools.

This progression of preparation only becomes more complex as we mature. Family dynamics, career choices and friends and acquaintances are in a constant process of changing in preparation for whatever is coming next.

As we move forward, it can be helpful to look at where we are in the process of preparation at the present time in our lives. Do we have an awareness of what we are getting ready for? That can help us evaluate the opportunities for getting ready that may present themselves to us.

We can stumble blindly through life, reacting to everything that comes along, or we can learn to respond to those things that come our way that fit with the overall plan of preparation we have as the map by which we travel this journey of life. That seems to be the way to find the path that best fits with who we are and who we want to be.

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