The man yelled something from across the dark street as I was leaving the bar in an older area of downtown Columbus Georgia. As the interim CEO/ consultant for a multi million dollar property company, I had just inspected the business, and met with the bar’s owner, and it was later than I had thought evidenced by the almost empty, dark street.
As I stepped off the curb toward my parked car a stranger yelled some friendly greeting obviously meant to get my attention from across the street. At the same time coincidentally another man slowly circled just inside my peripheral vision around toward my rear, essentially flanking me quietly.
My mind went to all the possibilities and immediately my self-defense instincts kicked in. These guys were planning on confronting me, cutting me off from the safety of the crowded bar and possibly assaulting, robbing or harassing me, and that was not going to happen.
I could fight them, and probably survive, after all they had vastly underestimated my background and training. However, tonight that wouldn’t be my choice.
I turned back on my heels, retracing my steps, and re-entered the bar to wait them out. Like clockwork they came in looking for me, hung around for a few minutes, and after they saw I was settled in for as long as it took, left soon after.
Being AWARE had saved me, and evaded a possibly violent encounter, bumps, bruises contusions, and injury, or death at least for someone.
Reviewing back to my probable violent encounter what actually happened? After taking visual assessment my heart started pounding, my breath was deep, my vision focused and fight or flight chemicals flowed into my blood stream. In short, I was preparing for battle. This preparation cleared my mind and resulted in a plan of safety to preserve my life.
Just as easily, I can look back, and just as easily list the above mental, emotional and body reactions, and label it “anxiety.” Some would. The reality is that people interpret the physiological, and psychological events differently according to their perception, experience and training.
Think about it… If you’ve ever paid to ride a roller-coaster, hang-glided, or watched a thriller movie you probably experienced the same. Fully AWARE that your heart will pound, your sensations will become intensified, and you will love it!
Being AWARE that these sensations are natural and work to benefit us is a distinct advantage in life, and Life Defense. Since the days our ancestors fled from sabertooth tigers, killed grizzlies for food, or defended their villages, we have had these same physiological and psychological reactions.
The difference is AWARENESS. What if our AWARENESS can be turned to our advantage, and create something different? Consider that the next time you are asked to give a presentation, lead a discussion, go somewhere new and unfamiliar or take on a task where you are in the spotlight.
AWARENESS that these responses work for us to make us better, faster, stronger and more focused, allows us to set aside the narrative that stress and conflict is bad and must be avoided. Rather embrace the experience, and enjoy all the added energy, given off naturally, to benefit your life fully and powerfully AWARE! Be AWARE.
Allen Hughes
Warrior Way Life Defense
#lifedefense #aware #allenhughes
