It is my belief that humans tend to give more credence to the types of damage that cannot be photographed. I firmly believe this is usually the result of allowing pride and ego to greatly influence our lives. This is the monkey brain and emotions dictating our actions and beliefs. This seems wrong.
In the martial arts we try to overcome ego's and pride so we can practice and apply the martial arts to our lives. This would apply to other less physical and violent practices as well, i.e. the tea ceremony or the art of calligraphy, etc. Any endeavor if practiced in the right mind-set can achieve the same.
What causes most fights? Ego, pride and our monkey brain promoting such stories that lead our ego's and pride into conflict. This is not all that occurs but for this post it is enough to convey an idea.
Our psyches tend to be sensitive. Someone "dising" you might be perceived as some sort of damage or injury. How can it be so if it results in something that cannot be photographed, touched, tasted, or tactile felt? Pride and Ego are monkey traits and when emotions are triggered it is incumbent upon us to remove the connection of emotion to monkey brain egoistic pride.
Remember, we all are subject to our emotions. They will come and they will go, guaranteed. How long and to what extent their effect is completely dependent on us. When emotions are triggered they can be great or not so great. They tend to last a short time unless you allow the monkey brain to attach a story to the emotion.
Ok, that guy cut me off and it made me angry. If the monkey starts up I might start the story of what a jerk that guy is, he has no right to do that to me, he could have killed me and my family, the more I think about how insensitive that guy was the more I want to knock his block off and yadda, yadda, yadda and the story builds. Each level of the story as it builds pumps fuel into that emotion - anger. As it continues to run in your mind the flames build until you lose control - the monkey is now driving your life willy nilly up to a point of high blood pressure and such anger that you suffer the physical and mental anguish and unhealthful results. Worse case scenario, you pass the guy cussing and gesturing with you hand, get in front of him, slam on the brakes while the monkey feeds the emotion with, "I am going to kick that motherfuckers ass!" You jam on the brakes, jump out, and commence to posture and monkey dance which further pumps fuel on the flames of anger until you strike out trying to knock his block off. Phew ... all that for something that like emotions does pass. If it didn't it would be photogenic.
When it is done. When you are in jail. When the other guy is in the hospital. When you are prosectued and convicted. When your family is sued by his family taking all your financial stuff away from you putting your family on the streets. While you are in jail for long time and your best buddy is romancing your wife who is pissed you did such a stupid thing you have to ask yourself, "Was it or Is it worth it?"
Just remember, if you can't photograph it, it ain't real damage and you will get over it!
Hey, Attention on Deck!
Hey, NOTHING here is PERSONAL, get over it - Teach Me and I will Learn!
When you begin to feel like you are a tough guy, a warrior, a master of the martial arts or that you have lived a tough life, just take a moment and get some perspective with the following:
I've stopped knives that were coming to disembowel me
I've clawed for my gun while bullets ripped past me
I've dodged as someone tried to put an ax in my skull
I've fought screaming steel and left rubber on the road to avoid death
I've clawed broken glass out of my body after their opening attack failed
I've spit blood and body parts and broke strangle holds before gouging eyes
I've charged into fires, fought through blizzards and run from tornados
I've survived being hunted by gangs, killers and contract killers
The streets were my home, I hunted in the night and was hunted in turn
Please don't brag to me that you're a survivor because someone hit you. And don't tell me how 'tough' you are because of your training. As much as I've been through I know people who have survived much, much worse. - Marc MacYoung
WARNING, CAVEAT AND NOTE
The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books. Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.
Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.
“What you are reading right now is a blog. It’s written and posted by me, because I want to. I get no financial remuneration for writing it. I don’t have to meet anyone’s criteria in order to post it. Not only I don’t have an employer or publisher, but I’m not even constrained by having to please an audience. If people won’t like it, they won’t read it, but I won’t lose anything by it. Provided I don’t break any laws (libel, incitement to violence, etc.), I can post whatever I want. This means that I can write openly and honestly, however controversial my opinions may be. It also means that I could write total bullshit; there is no quality control. I could be biased. I could be insane. I could be trolling. … not all sources are equivalent, and all sources have their pros and cons. These needs to be taken into account when evaluating information, and all information should be evaluated.” - God’s Bastard, Sourcing Sources (this applies to this and other blogs by me as well; if you follow the idea's, advice or information you are on your own, don't come crying to me, it is all on you do do the work to make sure it works for you!)
“You should prepare yourself to dedicate at least five or six years to your training and practice to understand the philosophy and physiokinetics of martial arts and karate so that you can understand the true spirit of everything and dedicate your mind, body and spirit to the discipline of the art.” - cejames (note: you are on your own, make sure you get expert hands-on guidance in all things martial and self-defense)
“All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed.” - Montaigne
I am not a leading authority on any one discipline that I write about and teach, it is my hope and wish that with all the subjects I have studied it provides me an advantage point that I offer in as clear and cohesive writings as possible in introducing the matters in my materials. I hope to serve as one who inspires direction in the practitioner so they can go on to discover greater teachers and professionals that will build on this fundamental foundation. Find the authorities and synthesize a wholehearted and holistic concept, perception and belief that will not drive your practices but rather inspire them to evolve, grow and prosper. My efforts are born of those who are more experienced and knowledgable than I. I hope you find that path! See the bibliography I provide for an initial list of experts, professionals and masters of the subjects.
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