06/02/2024
Don’t hit at all if it can be avoided, but never hit softly. Theodore Roosevelt
It is a principle of karate that you never attack first. The meaning behind this saying is that the warrior should not use his martial arts skills in a threatening or bullying manner. It goes without saying, that doing so is a dishonorable act and is not fitting for anyone who is traveling the path of the warrior. You should only use your martial arts skills in cases of self-defense or the defense of others, and then, only if you have no other recourse.
If possible, avoid a physical confrontation. Try to calm the other person down if he is in an excited mental state. Use your mind and mediation skills to resolve the problem. This is much harder to do than it sounds, and these types of skills should be a part of your training as a warrior. If your conversational skills fail, try to walk away if it is an option.
It is when your efforts to compromise or to resolve the issue peacefully have failed, that you may have to resort to using your martial arts skills. Although you should avoid this position if you can, once things evolve to this point, it is game on. Never strike softly as a warning. This person’s chances to resolve things peacefully have been exhausted.
When the situation degrades to a physical issue, strike hard, strike fast, and strike until there is no doubt left about the possibility of clear and present danger. Do what you can to avoid a fight, but once engaged, be deadly serious about coming out the victor. As Shaka Zulu said, “Never leave an enemy standing.” Bohdi Sanders ~ excerpt from the bestselling book, WARRIOR: The Way of Warriorhood, available from Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ELWCALA
Signed copies are available from The Wisdom Warrior website at: https://thewisdomwarrior.com
