Versatility as a virtue

Have you ever read the labeling on a bag of Epsom salt? Turns out it isn't just for soaking your feet.

Epsom salt: for regular plants and vigorous feet.

First off, this copy is amazing. Three disparate uses with unique descriptions, and the bag even has instructions for all three uses. Mix and match the uses and descriptions for a minute. Who knew plants could even get constipated?

But beyond the absurdity, you really must admire how broadly useful this stuff is. It's among many household items with such hidden versatility: dish soap, rubbing alcohol, duck tape...  They have my undying admiration.

Versatility is one of my favorite traits in any object or organism. Perhaps I'm biased---I am human, after all, and humans are pretty adaptable. But on a grand scale, adaptability to novel situations is the survival trait. Our environment will always be changing. Thanks to a combination of intelligence and motor skills, we can cope with all kinds of circumstances. 

That also means we have an extremely broad set of activities available to us. Humanity has range. To me, it follows that individuals should have range. We should all be fairly generalized in our skill sets instead of hyperspecializing. 

I take a generalist approach to my own life, but it's not really a conscious effort. Trying new things is how I stave off boredom and ennui. Though novelty seeking isn't a virtue in itself, and plenty of activities are not worth trying, I feel a certain mental acuity when learning and applying new ideas. Even something as benign as checking out a new food or musical album can spark new ways of thinking and experiencing life.

That's not to say everyone needs to overload on hobbies like I do. My calendar is a whirlwind, and it can be stressful. Sometimes I need to retreat to familiar territory (video games, music, walking) to avoid burnout. Other times I need to try something radical to break out of old patterns. When I manage to find the right balance, life feels fulfilling. 

Some people are content to seek that balance through the standard channels: work, family, society, media. Mundane interactions can bring a surprising amount of insight if approached in a deliberate way. Uncaring repetition, however, can lead to complacence and a narrow view. On the extreme end, you'll find the enemy of versatility: dogma.

Preparing for the unknown is a matter of broad practice and broad perspective. Step outside your comfort zone. Try a new hobby, read a weird book, and get a second opinion. Test your resilience.