I remember taking driver’s training back when I was in high school. One of the skills they attempt to teach is defensive driving. This is to help drivers anticipate potential hazards, road conditions and the mistakes made by other drivers.
When I recently heard someone mention defensive living in relation to defensive driving, my curiosity was peaked. When I read up on what all is involved in defensive driving, it outlined the driver should maintain a space cushion, scan the environment, expect the unexpected, adapt to conditions and stay calm and sober.
So here are some thoughts of how to apply that to living defensively:
- Maintain a space cushion: be aware of other people’s personal and emotional space and also having boundaries of my own.
- Scan the environment: when I’m with others or out in a public space, I need to pay attention to the people around me and avoid those who make me feel unsafe.
- Expect the unexpected: life isn’t always going to behave and treat me the way I think it should. I want to respond being my best self.
- Adapt to conditions: be flexible and able to pivot when circumstances warrant.
- Stay calm and sober: Remaining calm almost always diffuses or de-escalates a situation versus responding in anger. Staying sober…they probably mean abstaining from alcohol, however the definition of sober also means to be clearheaded – a good attribute to have while driving through life.
It would be interesting if, when we renew our driver’s license, we could have defensive living reminders as well.
