I’m not paranoid (or at least I don’t think so!!), but I attempt to be prepared. I think being prepared is kind of a subjective term. Each of us (neglecting the effects of aging) can interpret being prepared differently. If physically able, we could exercise and train so that we could approach (maybe at a distance!) a Navy Seal or Army Ranger, who in my thinking are the pinnacle of being prepared. But for most of us, yours truly included for sure, that goal is unreachable. So how can being prepared really be defined? Is there a “test” like in shooting competitions (i.e. put a certain number of rounds in a defined target area)? Do we need to be masters of Krav Maga or similar? Go to the shooting range monthly, weekly or daily? Be retired from law enforcement or the military?
Being prepared is really an illusive and moving target! Situational awareness is likely the main key, but there are others.
Sorry for the long post, but these things run through my mind all the time. So far, I haven’t found THE answer.