In this discussion we will consider DISSIPATION as a Life Defense PRINCIPLE to be used in lessening the effects of an attack in self-defense, and inevitable, daily attacks in Life using Life Defense.
First let’s look at a self-defense example. In self-defense when one person attacks with a tackle they are charging at the defender, wrapping their arms around their waist or legs, and driving them to the ground.
One of the most effective self-defenses against a tackle is to block the charge by placing forearms on either side of the attackers shoulders, while “sprawling” (driving your legs backward out of arms reach). This DISSIPATES the forward charge using body weight, and gravity. The result is either DISSIPATING their charge, or slamming them to the pavement face first. Either way, attack DISSIPATED.
In self-defense the attack is fully committed and meant to take someone down as in an assault. In Life Defense daily attacks may come from co-workers, competitors or nowadays even friends in the form of comments made or actions taken that are meant to “take you out” in one form or another.
A common battle ground is social media. Recently a “friend” on Facebook made a political comment to a post I had made on Facebook censoring. I said something like, “If Facebook censors us why are we still here?” His response, and others responses to the question began to escalate and each post in turn was more aggressive.
My post, meant as a discussion, was now a full out battle and since I wasn’t checking into my posts often, when I came back to it my face flushed, my emotions flared, and I began constructing counter attacks in response. However, my the Life Defense training kicked in and I instead began to DISSIPATE the conversation. I asked questions, made simple concise statements of belief and DISSIPATED the situation. Eventually everyone went back to their corners with no one to fight.
The opposite of DISSIPATE is to accelerate, or to intensify a situation. Seldom in self-defense, or life, does acceleration or intensification have a positive outcome. DISSIPATION slows responses, deescalates and makes discussion more available.
Consider DISSIPATION, and who knows maybe you’ll keep more friends and have more constructive discussions on what you care about most.
Allen Hughes Life Defense
#allenhughes #lifedefense
