Physical Damage vs. Mental Damage

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!

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