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"Zig for Zog!" is the battle cry we hear too often.

How do you zag?

Let me tell you the ways.

PHYSICAL DISTANCE is the most important defense. It's hard for wild animals to harm you when they can't even see you or reach you. It's important to know where they are hiding, so learn to use the publicly available tools like Wikipedia, which has demographics on every geographic region in the US. There is also a famous dot map you can find. If you're still not clear, see if the local quick marts have bars on their windows or what kind of restaurants are in the area.

CARRY AT ALL TIMES. If you can't carry a sidearm, don't go there. It's really that simple. If you feel like you must go there, then carry something else that can be a weapon. Maglights, for instance. Know how to use your tools. Mentally prepare yourself to use them. Remember, animals don't know restraint. They are going to go 100%, so you need to go 100%. Again, the best tactic is DISTANCE. Your weapon is plan B when you can't get distance.

OPEN YOUR EYES. Watch people's hands. Learn their mannerisms. Even if you're autistic you can learn how to read people. Understand how corners work and how doors work. If something is off, don't go in there. Constantly plan your routes and what you would do in hypothetical situations. Be aware of your blind spots.

LOCKS ARE FOR HONEST PEOPLE. Just because you've locked a door doesn't mean they can't bash it down or even go through the wall. What is preventing wild animals from stealing your stuff at night? Dogs are a great solution. Learn what kind of dog and how to train them properly. Ideally, you'll feel safe enough you can leave your door unlocked at night. How do you get there?

WHO ARE YOUR FRIENDS? Just because someone is familiar to you or friendly doesn't mean they are your friend. Will they put their neck out to stick up for you? Then you've found a real friend, and you must reciprocate. Real friends are honest and value truth over your feelings. Real friends are very hard to find and must be treasured above all else. Keep your real friends very close to you.

Always remember, **don't zig for zog**.

https://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/want-to-feel-happier-more-fulfilled-science-says-think-about-death-a-lot-more-often-starting-today.html

archive link: https://archive.ph/bRbAh

> Death is a psychologically threatening fact, but when people contemplate it, apparently the automatic system begins to search for happy thoughts.

> Add it all up, and considering your death doesn’t make you reach for your bucket list; considering your death makes you less self-centered and more likely to engage in prosocial behaviors.

> It’s easy to live mindlessly when you think you’ll live forever. When you face — and embrace — the fact your days are numbered, your perspective changes.

> Or if it sounds a little Bhutanese-y, that’s also because it is. According to a Bhutanese folk saying, to be happy you must contemplate death five times a day.

> When you understand that nothing is permanent you cannot help but follow a better, happier path. It calms your mind. You tend not to get overly excited, angry, or critical.

> With this principle, people interact with others and it improves their relationships. They become more grateful and gratuitous.

> Think of it this way. Today could be the last day you get to make a difference in another person's life. Today could be the last chance you get to someone feel they matter. Today could be the last day you get to say "I love you" to the people you care about.

I stumbled upon this idea when reading some psychology writing.

I think I have read an aphorism in Zorba the Greek to try to live each day like it's your last, and to try to also live like you'll live forever, and wisdom is to know something of how to combine both those ideas together.

I think I've thought of death a lot but I'm not totally sure how much it's improved my life. I have known certain people who have died around me and had that sense of trying to make the best of each day since tomorrow isn't guaranteed.

But anyway, maybe thinking about death could be beneficial for putting people's lives in perspective more.

edit: I think as relates to religion, thinking about death sometimes reminds people to try to be more virtuous and to avoid sin more.