For those of you old enough to remember the original Top Gun, the final dog fight battle scene has Maverick (Tom Cruise) flying into a dog fight to assist his fellow aviator Iceman (Val Kilmer) out at sea. Launched from the flight deck of an aircraft carrier into a contentious airspace, Maverick is Iceman’s only hope of survival.
Coming from the recent loss of his co-pilot, and close personal friend call sign “Goose,” Maverick has lost his nerve. Iceman says,“Maverick…Where in the hell are you? Maverick! How about some help? ENGAGE…!” Maverick, talking to himself, “It’s no good, talk to me Goose…” Iceman is heard over the radio, “Maverick…Maverick…!” Finally, Maverick recovers, and ENGAGES! From the control center on the carrier they report, “Maverick is ENGAGING sir!”
In the end Maverick saves Iceman, himself, and the whole aircraft carrier. Cheers erupt as the remaining enemy jets bug out.
In self-defense, we do everything we can to prepare, train, drill and condition for defending our lives, including deescalation, and getting the heck out of Dodge. However, there comes a time when it’s appropriate, and necessary for the defender to ENGAGE. In this scenario, without ENGAGEMENT we put ourselves, and others at peril.
By definition, without full ENGAGEMENT there is no life. The young lovers fully “ENGAGE” to create a life together. The very act of human creation happens through “ENGAGEMENT.”
In life and Life Defense how often do we loose our nerve, and won’t ENGAGE in the conflict of life itself? Remembering that there is no life without conflict, and our participation in life requires ENGAGING in that conflict each and every day.
If life is important to you, ENGAGE. Really, said another way, ENGAGE or die! Because there are many ways to die, yet only one way to truly live. ENGAGE…
Allen Hughes Life Defense Coach
#lifedefense #engage #allenhughes
