Be Alert

This is the first of three important steps towards attaining your security. Alertness, refers to an internal sense of preparedness. Think of the a wind-up watch. The tighter it is wound-up would relate to a higher alert level, and conversely a watch with no tension at all would relate to someone at an alert Zero.

For the most part the majority of us are at a zero level of alertness while we sleep. Having said that, some parents stay at a slightly higher level, being attuned to the cry of their children. Others could sleep through an earthquake.

When we are at the scene of an accident, or during a physical fight the average person is at his highest alert level in order to protect themselves. Our Fight-or-Flight senses are at their highest and it seems like we are more alive and aware of every little detail around us.

There is no way we can live at that level. We would burn up and become basket cases. We must find a way to live our lives somewhere in between these two extremes.

I like to use a scale of 0-5 to help me mentally visualize the levels of alertness I am aware of. 0 is the absolutely bottom of the scale and what I consider “asleep”, while 5 is my Uber-Alertness level ready for anything, with adrenaline flowing.

Personal Examples of Alert Levels
While in a safe place like my home I try to remain at a 2-3 position. I sometimes slip into level 1 when I'm watch TV or listening to music. Some students slip into “0” when their parents try to explain something.

I raise my alert level to 3-4 when I am out of the house, on the street, interacting with people I don’t know. Finally, I keep it at a solid 4 when I am downtown, catching a ride in the subway, on a trip to a foreign country, etc. I rarely reach 5 unless something I’m aware of alerts me of impending danger. (for instance, I see someone look in my direction and then towards someone else while making gestures communicating with their hands and eyes. That would put me at Level 5, and I would get out of there.)

Pay attention to your level of alertness.

When we listen to our iPod, iPhone, Cell Phone, watch TV, get engrossed in a conversation we can be lulled into a lower alert level and place ourselves in a dangerous position...a position to be preyed upon.

-G