Self-Defense and Safety Tips: Awareness Part
2 - May 2002
Self-Defense Tips by Alain Burrese
Awareness Part 2
Last time, I set forth the importance of being aware of what is going on around
you. Remember what color your awareness level should be at during most
activities? Yellow! Aware of what is going on around you.
There is an additional thing you must be aware of for your personal safety.
You must be aware of yourself, and how your actions are effecting the situation.
Most situations can be avoided and de-escalated. However, more often than
not, when words start being exchanged between two angry people, the
confrontation heats up until someone gets physical and pushes or throws a punch.
Or there is the famous challenge, “Let’s take it outside!” Then both
people go outside to fight. In these situations, you are aware that a
physical situation may erupt, but you do nothing to prevent it, instead if you
go outside, your actions are increasing the possibility of violence and your
being hurt.
How are your words and actions effecting the situation? Are you escalating
things by your deeds? Simple politeness and courtesy can go a long ways in
preventing injuries to yourself. In addition, when you do see or sense
something amiss, do you ignore it and walk down the dark street alone anyway?
Or do you take an alternate route, go with someone, or take some other action to
prevent an assault?
I often tell people that I can go into a "biker bar" and get along
just fine, or I can go in and really get stomped. Same place and I am
aware of the place I am in, so what is different? The way I act! If
I go in and get along, more often than not things are fine. However, if I
went in bad mouthing anyone and everyone who rode a Harley, how long do you
think I'd last? Not that long I'm sure, and it's not something I want to
find out. Sure, this example is very obvious, but many situations are just
as obvious if you really look at them and are aware of what you are doing to
effect the situation. Think of how to make it better and go home safe, not
how tough you can be and what you will do to anyone who starts something with
you. Self-defense is a plan, and attitude, a way to act and live, all of
the practices you do; not just knowing how to hurt someone physically or
"kick butt."
Just remember, be aware of what is going on around you, but also know how what
you are doing and saying is effecting the situation. A combination of
these two will keep you out of most physical altercations, and that’s what
true self-defense is; keeping yourself from harm.
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