When The Ground Is Shifting Beneath You

Becoming a Master at Life Pivots

In the grand theater of existence, life unfurls as an endless series of skirmishes, each demanding agility, resilience, and an unwavering spirit. 

To navigate this tumultuous landscape, one must master the art of pivots — an essential skill I honed during my months of being unhoused back in 2019 in San Diego and Las Vegas. 

Stripped of the comforts many take for granted, I learned to live on the edge, where every breath was a strategic move in a chess game of survival. This period of profound hardship taught me that life is less about the battles we fight and more about how we adapt and pivot in the face of adversity.

The Battlefield of the Unhoused

When you’re unhoused, every moment is a testament to the raw essence of survival. The luxury of planning fades, replaced by the necessity of responding to immediate challenges. Nights are long and restless, filled with the cacophony of city life and the ever-present fear of vulnerability. 

Days stretch out in an exhausting quest for food, shelter, and a semblance of safety. In such an environment, the ability to pivot — to change direction swiftly and effectively — becomes not just a strategy but a lifeline.

In those sleepless nights and famished days, I drew strength from Sun Tzu’s timeless wisdom in The Art of War. His teachings, though crafted for the battlefield, resonate deeply with the struggles of everyday life. 

Sun Tzu speaks of flexibility, of knowing when to advance and when to retreat, of adapting to the shifting sands of circumstance. These principles guided me as I navigated the unpredictabilities of being unhoused, teaching me to remain focused and resilient, minute by minute, hour by hour.

The Essence of the Pivot

Pivoting is an art form, a dance with the unpredictable. It requires keen awareness, quick thinking, and the courage to change course without hesitation. 

In my journey on the streets, I learned to read the subtle signs of my environment, to anticipate threats, and to seize opportunities, no matter how fleeting. This ability to pivot, to adapt on the fly, became my most valuable asset.

Practical Takeaways from The Art of War

Embrace Fluidity: Sun Tzu emphasizes the importance of being formless like water, capable of adapting to any container. In life, this means staying flexible, open to change, and ready to adjust your plans as circumstances dictate. Rigidity can lead to downfall, while fluidity allows for survival and success.

Know Your Terrain: Understanding your environment is crucial. Whether it’s the physical terrain of a city or the emotional landscape of a relationship, knowledge empowers you to make informed decisions. During my time unhoused, knowing the safest places to sleep or the best times to seek help was essential to my well-being.

Anticipate and Respond: Sun Tzu teaches the value of foresight and swift response. Anticipating potential challenges and having a plan for them can make the difference between overcoming obstacles and being overwhelmed by them. Life’s unpredictability demands that we remain vigilant and ready to act at a moment’s notice.

Leverage Strengths and Weaknesses: Recognize your strengths and use them to your advantage, while also being aware of your weaknesses and finding ways to mitigate them. In the harsh reality of being unhoused, I learned to play to my strengths — my resourcefulness, my ability to connect with others — while finding ways to cope with my vulnerabilities.

Seek Allies: Even in the midst of struggle, forming alliances can provide crucial support. Sun Tzu’s emphasis on the power of unity applies to all areas of life. The friendships I forged during my hardest times provided emotional sustenance and practical help when I needed it most.

The Eternal Struggle

Life, in its essence, is an ongoing battle. Each day presents new challenges, new adversities to overcome. Yet, it is through these very struggles that we discover our true strength. 

The art of the pivot — of adapting, changing course, and responding to life’s twists and turns — is not merely a survival skill but a profound way of embracing the fullness of existence.

In the crucible of hardship, I found clarity. I learned that to live fully, one must be willing to pivot, to embrace change with open arms, and to face the unknown with courage. 

Sun Tzu’s wisdom, distilled through the ages, became a beacon of light in my darkest hours, guiding me through the labyrinth of uncertainty. As we navigate our own battles, may we all learn to pivot with grace, to adapt with wisdom, and to emerge stronger on the other side.