When I was living in Southern California a few years ago during fire season on especially windy days, I considered this question: What if I have only five minutes to evacuate? From my previous experiences fires in the area, I knew that evacuation orders often came quickly, as fires easily spread quickly with the high winds and the dry terrain.
Ideally, I’d have a bag already packed and ready to go, but what if I didn’t? Obviously, I would take my family (which at the time was my wife and our two dogs). Beyond that, my list would include: medications, important papers that I might need in the future that would be inconvenient to replace (birth certificates, passports, insurance documents, car title, Social Security cards, etc.), a mobile phone (for communication), and laptop. If I still had a minute or two to spare, I’d add a change of clothes and toiletries.
The thought occurred to me that if I lost everything else, I could be OK with that. In truth, my life might be simpler because I would have less stuff to worry about.
If I use the question of What if I only have five minutes to evacuate? as a metaphor for my life, it makes me wonder about what is really important to me. What is important to me hold onto? What can I let go? More questions to live.
Kindly,
David