Please take a look at Articles on self-defense/conflict/violence for introductions to the references found in the bibliography page.

Please take a look at my bibliography if you do not see a proper reference to a post.

Please take a look at my Notable Quotes

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.

The Art of Assertiveness in Self-Protection

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

The art of assertiveness is critical to avoid threats and many don't really understand what it means to be assertive. First and foremost, it is you protecting your rights through the enforcement of the boundaries you set for yourself. You must respect others rights and others MUST respect your rights and that means respecting your boundaries. 

To understand assertive, you must understand 'passive and aggressive' behavior. Passive, is when a person allows someone to abuse their rights. When you behave passively, you set yourself up to be angry, frustrated, and depressed. Passive behavior ends up hurting everyone involved sooner or later, it is a bad way to handle things.

We all need boundaries, we need them in family situations; we need them in work environments; we need them is social collectives and we need them in those situations outside the others already listed. We and they need to know our place in the home, the neighborhood, work and in other social settings. We need them to feel safe. 

Aggressiveness is not conducive to social and personal relationships. Aggressive folks trample your rights and boundaries, they are verbally abusive and it creates a lot more issues and problems than they solve even for the person utilizing that aggressive behavior. It creates stress; it creates resentment; it causes depression; it fosters animosity to all who encounter and endure it. It is bullying and bullying is violence and anger, in most cases, is not necessary (except when it is necessary). Folks rebel when confronted by aggressiveness. 

Using the fundamental principle of yin/yang, we find passiveness to be extreme yin; we find aggressiveness to be extreme yang; AND harmony, contentment and balance come from the art of assertiveness. Assertiveness is that 'just right' point represented by the line that makes an "S" division in the yin/yang symbol. 

Assertiveness behavior respects, protects, and honors the rights of everyone involved. When you behave in this manner you 'choose' to not let others abuse you or take away your rights or to violate your boundaries. You do this in such a way, assertively, that respects the rights of others. 

Assertiveness DOES NOT require you control anyone else's behavior. You CANNOT force, coerce or mandate others behavior, that is their sole responsibility. To aggressively or passively acting takes away the other persons rights. 

Set limits, boundaries, and then enforce them - assertively, not passively or aggressively because that is pure manipulation. You must follow-through when your limits, boundaries, are crossed, destroyed or violated by others but in an assertive, positive and mutually beneficial way. 

Following through, sometimes it means setting the boundary again; sometimes it means getting someone in authority involved; sometimes is means simply walking away or avoiding it altogether or escaping and evading others. IT is NEVER yelling, using intimidation, and/or especially using violence (Physical Force). 

If it harms you or someone else it should be avoided. If it means you take the upper hand with someone or to do anything that is possibly harmful to them or yourself, avoid it. 

Remember also that SELF-SERVING behaviors are a part of aggressive behaviors. 


For reference and sources and professionals go here: Bibliography (Click the link)

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