DISCERN in self-defense comes in many forms. We DISCERN a circumstance when an attack is imminent, such as a sideways glance and aggressive movement. We DISCERN when, and how we need to react when someone else is being attacked. We DISCERN when our weirdo meter goes off and when someone, or something just doesn’t seem right.
DISCERN can be a life saver in almost any situation of self-defense and it has of course a parallel application in LIFE DEFENSE. How do we DISCEN between a joke and harassment? What is the difference between a well meaning suggestion and dark criticism? Who is out to get you and who can be trusted? Our mind does weird stuff conjuring up outside demons lurking in the shadows and yet perhaps it is the things we do, the choices we make, and the lack of DISCERNMENT we actually incorporate in our lives that make the biggest difference. That’s right, we can be our own worst enemy and many times we are!
Who I am as a person and what my life experience is for the most part determined by me. “But Allen, what about all the bad people who are out to do me wrong?” Yes people do bad things, we grow up in less than desirable circumstances, we are attacked, harassed, cheated and ridiculed by others form time to time, as any kid will tell you. Just he act of growing up can be tough, and still we create our world every minute of everyday.
So it is this DISCERNMENT that makes the biggest difference. What we choose to think about ourselves, our life and our circumstance will always be the biggest factor, not what others say, or do to us.
Therefore we must always choose, or DISCERN what things mean to us! What does it mean when my boss smiles in a funny way? Is he getting ready to fire me, could it be true he just doesn’t like me, or does he just have gas? All of the above fall in the realm of DISCERNMENT.
So maybe, it would be better to observe what our boss and people around us are actually doing before taking them down in and arm lock, and slamming their face into the sidewalk. DISCERNMENT should not be confused with what we think someone is thinking, rather observation of what they are actually doing, before acting.
DISCERNMENT is ours alone and exists in our mind. DISCERNMENT is our choice, and responsibility. When it comes to our life, DISCERNMENT creates the reality we live into. DISCERN!
Allen Hughes Life Defense Evangelist
