One of our biggest enemies during a conflict can
often times be fear. The fear of getting hurt, the fear of getting killed,
fear of getting raped and so on, your life flashes before your very eyes. The fact that you have children, family or friends that you may never see again right in your thoughts, can trigger fear’s biggest ally, panic.

On top of all the confusion, this fear triggers the release of adrenalin into your system. Your body shivers, your legs tremble, you break into a cold sweat, heart pounding, focused vision, increased heartbeat and your mouth as dry as sandpaper. Your body is reacting by pumping blood into your arms and legs, ready for you to take action. I’m sure that you’ve heard it before but your body is getting you ready for “fight or flight”.

We can control our emotions and as fear is an emotion it can also be controlled. People are facing fear each and everyday as part of their livelihood, the fact that they can control fear is an indicator that you can too. Criminals expose themselves to it, time after time. For this reason they learn to cope with it far better than most people.

Concentrate on what you are going to do, not what might happen to you. We all have an inbuilt mechanism, strong instincts for survival. Deep inside, you know that you are capable of carrying out terrible things. Society has quite rightly suppressed that natural instinct with law and order but if there is ever a time that you need to fight for your life, let go of those instincts for survival and do everything you need to do in order to survive.

Real fear makes ordinary people capable of carrying out extraordinary things. To have some control over emotions like that is even more powerful.

Keep in mind that many criminal minded people would not think twice about picking up a hammer and smashing you between your eyes. The consequences of physical or sexual attacks are often severe. If you are lucky enough to survive, they can leave physical and mental scars to last a lifetime. When it comes down to making a choice between a stay in intensive care, ending up at the local cemetery or doing whatever it takes in order to survive, the choice should be simple.

Know in your mind that, if necessary, you would be prepared to pick up a nearby object and use it to assist in your self protection. Know that you could stick your fingers deep into an attacker’s eye socket in order to save yourself. Know that you would strike an attacker to the throat, with the possibility that he has already taken his last breath. Not all situations are going require that type of response but when your life is in danger, be prepared to do whatever you need to do.

You will not let anyone deny you the right of going home to your loved ones, least of all this goon standing in front of you, who is ready and willing to take your life away in an instant.

Know in your mind that are capable of inflicting severe injury to another person and you can and will do whatever it takes to defend yourself or your family.

By Malcolm Bale - 2nd Degree Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu

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