“Don't run from danger, run to safety”
In contrast to every other
creature in nature, our development has taught us not to explore and often even
ignore our instinctive survival skills (what we call your Warrior Spirit.) Just
as some things must be seen to be believed, so to must some be believed to be
seen. Even if you do not register danger directly, your intuition can sense it,
triggering that feeling of fear to warn you.
Once you learn how to trust in your instincts and you have a
reliable, effective solution then fear
is an asset. If you know what you need to do, fear just makes you do it faster.
On the other hand, if you don't know what to do or don’t trust what you
know then you will freeze in terror. This happens because you have no clear
goal or way to get there. Being prepared for a conflict that never happens is a
thousand times better than ending up in a violent situation and not knowing
what to do.
Under all situations fear must be managed and the first step in
getting it under control is understanding the difference between sensing real
danger and paranoia. You cannot walk through life in fear of a bad situation
but you can walk through life being mindful that they exist. For instance, it
is not being paranoid if your senses go on alert in a dimly lit parking garage
at night. It is those people that are oblivious to this situation that end up
walking right into an attacker’s net.
Regardless of the type of situations you may encounter as
explained in this series, your primary focus must be on listening to and
managing your fear thereby staying in control. And, even if you begin to lose
control of the situation, you must
maintain your self-control for this training to be effective. You cannot escape
or even plan a rational escape if you are panic stricken. You will not be able to comprehend or
understand the difference between running in circles and a strategic
withdrawal.
Remember also that predatory people can intuitively sniff out
those they can overpower
psychologically or physically. The way you carry
yourself, everything from poor posture to your level of alertness, averting
your eyes, etc. can project a weak and fearful target. Also always being
diligent in knowing your surroundings and alert to danger signs in each
situation is equally important.
Carrying yourself with confidence and maintaining your
composure means not only that you can act rationally but you will be a more
difficult target. Criminals feed on fear, it is their best mechanism to getting
what they want. The best way to stay your nerves and keep in control in a
dangerous situation is to have already mentally prepared for it. Know what
limits you are willing to go to, what you are willing to give up from valuables
to physical assault to death. Once you set those limits you must go through
each situation knowing where that line is and be prepared once you reach it to
follow through with your plan of action.
