There is no better medicine for the heart, mind and soul than rolling consistently. Are you
aware of how the benefits of Jiu Jitsu are more than just physical? Jiu Jitsu is an art that
exercises the mind as well. Practitioners are led to think only about what is indeed essential and
to let go of what is of no use and stressful.
According to Cardiologist Jose Mansur Filho (no relation to Grand Master Mansur), “Our health
hinges on the windows we open during our lives. There is ill-being in wanting things to happen
right away. That anxiety harms the heart… I tell my patients that our brains have several
windows. When we have a problem, that tends to be the only window we open. We must open
others as well. If in 4 years from now I ask you what the problems you had today were, you
wouldn’t be able to remember 95% of them”. *Quoted from an interview in “O Globo”
newspaper.
When we roll, we can’t stay focused on the initial situation, we must understand our position,
consider what is next and move… Observe, Assess and Move (O.A.M.). This all should happen in
a fraction of a second. Hesitation and fixation can be detrimental. We need to lose the blinders
and become problem solvers in the moment. This is not something that develops right away. It
is an attribute we strive to obtain. It’s something we all start to figure out at our own pace.
Never compare yourself to anyone. Each of us is unique, and that is the most fascinating and
inspirational thing we can come to realize.
Life off the mat is no different. We need to realize the challenge that stands before us, assess
the situation, and move toward the goal of getting through it. Essentially, we need to take the
blinders off!
Off the mat, there are specific moments in life that define us. These times carve us out to be
who we are today. When one looks back on these moments, it’s apparent that three traits are
present. Perseverance, determination, and tenacity.
Perseverance to weather the storm or ride the wave, determination to consciously not allow
failure or success to derail you, and the tenacity to move forward when it is easier to quit or
even compromise. This all may sound redundant but have the patience and faith to believe that
when examined in your own life, the differences will be clear as day.
Compromise…I mentioned the term above. Let me explain why I coupled it with quitting. I’ll try
and illustrate it with a quick story I once heard and will never forget. “There was once a cold
and nearly frozen hunter who found himself lost in the woods of Washington State sometime in
early January. The snow was falling, and the winds were blowing. The hunter placed his
backpack to the ground and was ready to prop himself up against a giant Hemlock tree and give
up when he looked at the beauty that surrounded him and thought of all the good times that
he had over the years and even got a bit excited about what could have possibly been. Just then
a hungry old grizzly that was woken by the growling of an empty stomach caused by an
excessively lazy spring and summer. Their eyes met. The hunter stumbled to grab his rifle, but
his hands were too frozen to hold on to it, the fear and panic was ever so present. The old,
grizzled bear saw a warm meal, but realized his swiftness and agility were way behind him. The
hunter thought for a moment and presented the hungry beast with a compromise. “I’ll give you
something to eat if you keep me warm”. The bear realistically could have devoured the hunter
but figured he’d play along and delightfully agreed. He watched with amusement as the hunter
grabbed his knapsack and began to remove some food for his “companion”. Feeling a new and
overwhelming grumble the bear did what hungry bears do and yet kept up his end of the
bargain”. You see the hunter fed the bear and the bear kept the hunter warm with a beautiful
fur coat! Compromise is not winning. In some cases, it can be used as a tool to avoid the
current dilemma but understand it is not always a final solution and one probably will have to
revisit the battle once again.
It is often said iron is forged in fire. While that is true, it is a limited explanation at best. Fire can
be a negative as well as a positive. Iron is generally forged during the strengthening process,
nobody tells you that we are constantly being presented with the choice of moving forward,
constantly being “re-forged” for new possibilities or conceding. We are always given the option
to continue or step aside. Weak people are defined by their circumstances. Strong people are
defined by their commitment. Their commitment to rise to the occasion and do whatever it
takes to overcome regardless of being on or off the mat.
This is what Jiu Jitsu teaches us. Stay consistent, stay dedicated to yourself as well as to each
other and most importantly believe in your journey.
1.
-When the opponent has made a plan of attack against us, we must anticipate him by delivering our own
attack first.”
-Not an attitude of defense, whereby one might be content to foil the enemy’s stratagems one after
another, but an active policy of counter-attack.
-Supreme excellence consists in breaking the opponent’s resistance without fighting.
“He who wishes to fight must first count the cost”.
-Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.
– “While we are taking our ease, wait for the adversary to tire himself out. “Lure him on and tire him out.”
-The good tactician plays with his adversary as a cat plays with a mouse, first feigning weakness and
immobility, and then suddenly pouncing upon him. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest.
-If your opponent is of choleric temper (easily angered), seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he
may grow arrogant.
-If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him.
-Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when
we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him
believe we are near. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder and crush him.
– “Attack is the secret of defense; defense is the planning of an attack.” It would be hard to find a better
epitome of the root-principle of war.
– “Knowing the enemy enables you to take the offensive, knowing yourself enables you to stand on the
defensive.”
-If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.
-If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know
yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.
-He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the adversary unprepared.
-The secret lies in an eye for opportunity, and in not letting the right moment slip.
-If he can fight, he advances and takes the offensive; if he cannot fight, he retreats and remains on the
defensive. He will invariably conquer who knows whether it is right to take the offensive or the defensive.
-He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.
– “The skillful employer of men will employ the wise man, the brave man, the covetous man, and the
stupid man. For the wise man delights in establishing his merit, the brave man likes to show his courage
in action, the covetous man is quick at seizing advantages, and the stupid man has no fear of death.”
2.
-He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be called
a heaven-born captain.
-Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions.
-So, in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak. [Like water, taking the line of
least resistance.]
-Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the
infinite variety of circumstances.
– “Show no sign “of what you mean to do, of the plans that are formed in your brain.
-Force him to reveal himself, so as to find out his vulnerable spots.
-By noting the joy or anger shown by the enemy on being thus disturbed, we shall be able to conclude
whether his policy is to lie low or the reverse.
– “Know beforehand all plans conducive to our success and to the enemy’s failure.” Rouse him and learn
the principle of his activity or inactivity.
-For should the enemy strengthen his van, he will weaken his rear; should he strengthen his rear, he will
weaken his van; should he strengthen his left, he will weaken his right; should he strengthen his right, he
will weaken his left. If he sends reinforcements everywhere, he will everywhere be weak.
-The spot where we intend to fight must not be made known; for then the enemy will have to prepare
against a possible attack at several different points.
3.
-Hasty temper, which can be provoked is one’s doom.
– “He who lets an advantage slip will subsequently bring upon himself real disaster.”
-Nothing is to be achieved in war unless you are willing to take risks.
– “Cowardice” as being of the man “whom timidity prevents from advancing to seize an advantage,”
cowardice, which leads to capture.
-Recklessness, leads to destruction.
-The merely brave man is prone to fight recklessly; and he who fights recklessly, without any perception
of what is expedient, must be condemned.”
– “Get the enemy into a position where he must suffer injury, and he will submit of his own accord.”
– “If I wish to extricate myself from a dangerous position, I must consider not only the enemy’s ability to
injure me, but also my own ability to gain an advantage over the enemy.
– “If we wish to wrest an advantage from the enemy, we must not fix our minds on that alone, but allow for
the possibility of the enemy also doing some harm to us and let this enter as a factor into our
calculations.”
4.
-Exhibit the coyness of a maiden, until the enemy gives you an opening; afterwards emulate the rapidity
of a running hare, and it will be too late for the enemy to oppose you.
– “If the enemy shows an inclination to advance, lure him on to do so; if he is anxious to retreat, delay on
purpose that he may carry out his intention.” The object is to make him remiss and contemptuous before
we deliver our attack.
-The expediency of aggressive or defensive tactics; and the fundamental laws of human nature: these are
things that must most certainly be studied.
– “The axiom, that war is based on deception, does not apply only to deception of the enemy. One must
realize we can be deceived as well.
-By altering his arrangements and changing his plans, [not using the same stratagem twice.] he keeps the
enemy without definite knowledge.
– “To mystify, mislead, and surprise the enemy,” is one of the first principles in war.
-The advantage of position neutralizes the inferiority in stamina and courage.
– “The way to eliminate the differences of strong and weak and to make both serviceable is to utilize
accidental features of the fight”.
-Further you control, the greater will be the confidence.
-Take advantage of the enemy’s unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack
unguarded spots.
5.
-Anger may in time change to gladness; vexation may be succeeded by content.
-If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, stay where you are.
-What they must not do, and what will prove fatal, is to sit still and simply hold to the advantages they
have got.”
– “Those who want to make sure of succeeding in their battles and assaults must seize the favorable
moments when they come and not shrink on occasion from heroic measures.
– “In war, there are various indirect methods of attack.
– “If you see a possible way, advance; but if you find the difficulties too great, retire.”
It takes years of consistent work and effort. Once achieved, a new journey begins. The responsibility should be clear. Passing on the experience and knowledge to those who are on the journey and in need of a teacher. For some this may be a burden, others a delight. In reality it’s a lot of both.
It’s not nearly enough to just pass on technique, it’s not nearly enough to show what it takes to win a championship, it’s definitely not right to be a selfish player in a sport, and it certainly is unacceptable to just take the character, the knowledge and hide it away from all those who seek it. The only thing that’s acceptable is to be a commander, a coach and of course a teacher.
You see, Jiu Jitsu is a lifelong journey. It’s a “Triade”, a word from French origin meaning a trinity, a triangle. One side of the Triade is the self-defense aspect. Jiu Jitsu was developed as a means of self-protection. A way a person can defend themselves in a real life- threatening situation. We all know the stories of how Master Helio developed BJJ for people like himself. A smaller weaker person can be capable of fending off a much larger, stronger assailant. Without this angle there is no second one, which is the sport aspect of Jiu Jitsu. A way for one to test and hone their skills in a non-lethal manor. An arena where technique and sportsmanship come together to raise each other up and aide in the development of everyone’s “game”. That’s exactly what this angle is…a game.
These two angels sit atop of the third angle, a base which is called character. This base is the one that holds all three angles together. Not only does it prevent warriors and athletes from tearing each other a part, it teaches us how to be the best person we can be in all aspects of our lives. As we march through this sojourn we call BJJ, we learn from our training certain tools. Tools that teach us, prepare us and most importantly build us. The base of this Triade gives us the experience and knowledge to be able to set the right example to all those who we come in contact with. It carries the load of enabling us to be the best commander and warrior, the best coach and the very best teacher of life’s values on and off the mat with the purest of heart.
Without the proper AND equal development of each of these angles we lose the perfect, purest system of growth. As a Professor, it is our fundamental duty to ensure that each student grows and develops their own perfect Triade so they can some day pass that perfection on. Without the proper training in all three aspects of Jiu Jitsu one can never fully develop and what a selfish tragedy that would be.
The BJJ academy has many “classrooms”, from the vestibules, the mats, to the locker-rooms. The people we meet in the vestibule are encouraging and delightful. The education we get on the mat is priceless. We all know the value of a great teacher and mentor. On a personal note, that is why I hold my professor, Milton Regis 6th degree black belt, in such high regards. Yet there is something enormous to say about the atmosphere and friendship that is built in the locker room.
When people struggle, sweat and face their fears together, there is a strong and special relationship that is formed. An intimate bond so to speak. Coming from a man that can’t remember what he ate for breakfast, let alone specific words spoken amongst a group of warriors, there is a deep feeling of peace, camaraderie, safety and vulnerability that one cannot ignore or forget.
I have come to a point in my training where I finally realize that my opponent in front of me is not my only adversary. Just as a true warrior would never underestimate his physical obstacles, he would surely recognize and control the greatest obstacle of all…himself. We all can hear the little voice in our heads speaking to us before, during and after a fight. You know, the one that speaks volumes about how you “can’t do this and you can’t do that”.
We can sit back deny, ignore or flat out lie to ourselves and others, but that won’t change the fact that it is our own worst enemy…and the most powerful one at that. Just as we come to master the basics of our game, we must also come to master the enemy within. This is a worthy and inevitable fight that all of us must conquer at one point in order to be successful. Only when one rises above and controls the demons of self doubt and self pity, can he grow to be the best he can be. Let me take it further, not just successfully grow on the mat, but to grow to extreme heights in all aspects of their lives.
This is a battle that needs to be fought not alone, for the enemy within is too deceiving and too strong. Don’t misunderstand me, it can and will be defeated. It will be conquered as a team. A legion of warriors, training and learning together on the mat. Meeting in the vestibules, exchanging handshakes and subtle hugs. Most importantly, it shall be defeated in the locker-rooms. Here, here is where we are at our strongest. Outside the pit of anguish which we call our minds, in the midst’s of fighters, real friends who understand, share, encourage and most important believe in each other. Here is where lifelong bonds and pacts are made. Not just simply from voice boxes, but from ones gut and heart. The faith and belief we have in each other squelches the screams of self doubt. We hear only the whispers of our fellow fighters..Our friends.
All people are born champions. However, it is only those who get tempered, molded and forged by the heat of battle that come to realize who they are and what they can achieve. We all reach the inevitability of this fight…rest assured my friends, I will be there standing side by side fighting with you, just as I pray that you stand beside me.
We go together like- Crockett and Tubbs, Murtaugh and Riggs, SJW’s and Commie thoughts, I mean we just fit. What am I talking about? I’m talking about X-Einstein and I, of course. Who is X-Einstein? X-Einstein is my Glock 19X. The greatest creation from the minds of the Austrian legendary Glock factory, built, and conceptualized by the one and only, Gaston Glock. This is Herr Gaston’s finest creation to date, in my humble opinion.
First some background, for those unfamiliar with the Glock 19X. The 19X was Glock’s submission to U.S. Army’s Modular Handgun System (MHS) Trials. Which was the Army’s selection process to become the Army’s new sidearm. The Sig Sauer P320 eventually won the contract, I also own one of those, it’s also a great handgun and should prove to be a great sidearm for our brave men and women serving this great country. Much like the other companies that submitted Handguns for the MHS trials, Glock decided to release a civilian version to the commercial market, with some minor changes.
The 19X is a sort of Hybrid Frankenstein gun. The slide is the length of a G19 and it is mated to G17 frame. There have many YouTube vids and other interweb post maligning the 19X, stating that the configuration should have reversed, G17 slide, G19 frame. While there may be some valid points to this argument, I love this pistol exactly the way it is. I have carried it for at least forty hours a week since I got it and the gun and it has been AWESOME. The 19X comes from the factory with a flat dark earth color scheme and factory night nights, a must for a defensive pistol, in my opinion. The 19X also come with legendary Glock reliability as a standard feature.
Ok, now for The Fuerst Option review. First off, 19X is a model number, not a name, and you give trusty sidekicks names. That is unless you’re a couple of Jacked Up robots from those sucky Star Wars Movies, and their A-hole owners just kept calling them numbers, WTF. And yes, I did say sucky Star Wars movies, All the Star Wars movies sucked, as you get older that should become clear, without me telling you that they suck. Life Coaching advice, if you are thirty or older and don’t have to take your kids to Star War movies, and you are in that movie theater, on opening night wearing a Han Solo t-shirt, it may be time to rethink your life direction. There are girls out there, just saying. I digress, since the 19X is a sort of Frankenstein Gun; I named mine, “X-Einstein”. That’s right I name my stuff. I gave myself the call sign, The Option, as it is whom the F I am. I explained this to my lovely wife, “Che-Nobyl”. That’s the call sign I’ve given her, because she is “Hot and Deadly”. We have been married twenty seven years. After hearing my new call sign, Che-Nobyl lovingly stated, “I think it’s time I look for a BETTER OPTION.”You cannot by that type of enthusiasm. I thought it appropriate to name my Badass bright orange Subaru Crosstrek “ The Option Response Vehicle. (See Above Pic) That Crosstrek is so amazingly Badass you couldn’t hide its greatness even if you used camo netting. My gold Honda Pilot “Bug out” vehicle is named “The Golden Beast”. I name stuff, that’s the shit I do. So The Option’s Glock 19X is now known as the call sign X-Einstein. X-Einstein is a total badass and cooler than James Dean. If Glock and everybody else want to call its color Flat Dark Earth, go ahead, I prefer to say X-Einstein is the color of a lion’s mane, coupled with the color of THOR’S Golden Locks. That works because lions are animal kings and X-Enstein is The Option’s Legendary Hammer. I believe that all 19X’s have been constructed in the Austrian Alps by specially trained and genetically enhanced Austrian Black Eagles, and freshly delivered, by before mentioned Black Eagles to the various world distribution centers. X-Einstein is obviously too awesome to have been built in an ordinary factory situation, so I have no other explanation, that would make any sense. I’m sure this is obvious to all you. At least it will be obvious once you own one. The night sights are so highly visible that they are probably constructed by materials created from alien technology found at Area 51 and put on the market through a highly classified partnership with Mr. Gaston Glock. I have no concrete proof here, I’m just saying, the night sights are nice. The trigger is crisper than Fall Washington Apples. X-Einstein match grade barrel makes my shooting more accurate than Phil Valentine’s assessment of Liberals Trump Derangement Syndrome.
I heard people say that The 19X is difficult to conceal carry. I have not found this to be the case. I take X-Einstein everywhere. I have no problem concealing him. Although his glow of awesomeness does shine through on a constant basis. I have found this weapon is really not much more difficult to conceal, than a Glock 19 or 23, though this may be a personal experience or preference type of thing, but carry X-Einstein everywhere and have zero issues.
For example, X-Einstein and I recently visited an East Nashville coffee shop, you know we were spending some quality time together, anyway there weren’t “any no guns allowed, helpless victims inside.” Stickers on the window, so in I went. The no sticker was obviously a clever ruse, or more likely from the occupants they were too lazy to put one up. The occupants looked like they were a Hybrid Antifa/Vegan Cheer Squad, holding a strategy for Anarchy meeting. It was a strange collection of bad Anime Tattoos, wild color hair, face piercings and wool caps which are worn indoors,at all times. I was wearing Jeans, Black Tee shirt, a light weight leather blazer and an NRA camo baseball cap. I stepped up to the counter and was greeted by some forty something male barista, named, Brahn. Brahn looked like Slender Man with a purple colored buzz cut/faux hawk, three nose rings and a lizard tattoo in the middle of his forehead, just below his hair line. Brahn immediately recoiled in horror upon looking at me up and down and questioned me in very rude tone “Who do you think you are?” I answered “I’m The Option” “Where The F you been?” in my usual cheerful tone. Brahn then stated “You have some nerve showing yourself in a public place.” To which I countered “Look who’s talking.” Brahn Said “I’m not serving anyone who supports the NRA, and wears clothing made out of murdered animals.” Brahn Then retreated from the counter and I believe began to sob over by the espresso machine and the gluten free muffins. I called to him that I loved his electric razors and when he was done with his child like tantrum/emotional breakdown over a hat could he please get me a large coffee, hold the Social Justice Non-Warrior flavored tear additives.
Just then I heard a screeching voice from behind me. The voice was horrible and chilling. It sounded like somebody dropped a hamster and a wineglass into a Ninja blender. I turned to find the crazy eyed woman behind me. I’ll let my response to her describe her appearance. “ Miss, Let me say this, no matter what our disagreements may be, It’s an honor to have Shrek’s Wife Fiona in our fine city.” In all honesty, she wasn’t green, she was more the orangish color of flavor blasted gold fish from the overly used spray on tan facility and her skin had the textured look of John Wayne era saddle bags. Fiona was not amused, “is that real leather?” “Of course, I’m from the Jersey Shore, the land of real leather and hair gel product. In my defense I’m sure many steaks and beef bologna sandwiches were made from the cow this blazer came from. My blazer has first name is W.I.L.S.O.N.” I then tried to mend the fences and said “I’m surprised you don’t like leather it seems to have a similar texture to your face.” Fiona Then pulled some words from the SJW book of bullshit go to tactic by yelling “You’re a Nazi”. I then at this point explained the way of the real world to crazy ill-informed Fiona. I told her in a voice that all could hear, that if I respected the opinion of fools and idiots and was not from New Jersey, which makes me immune from being offended, that statement may have actually offended me. See, my deceased father fought and was wounded in WWII. He actually fought real Nazi’s. He served his community as a Reserve Police officer standing up for people’s rights and protecting those who cannot protect themselves. My Father did that for no pay. He raised me to have the same beliefs and fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. I did so serving my community as a Law Enforcement Officer for over thirty Years. Unlike punks like you, I have actually seen what real dangerous fascists are capable of, as I was a responder to the 9-11 terror attacks against the World Trade Center. They should remember that there are thousands of great First Responders and Our Great American Armed Forces fighting and protecting against real fascists every day. And sadly many of them give the ultimate sacrifice. I looked around the room and everyone seemed offended and uncomfortable. Many seemed to have melted into puddles of soy milk chai tea, or whatever these they drink. So Mission Accomplished. You Aholes can keep your coffee, and in true Jersey Fashion I flipped the room the Double Barreled Bird turned and walked out. I was ready to head to Dunkin Donuts, Fairly Cop Friendly, when a young lady with a “Jen” on her name tag carrying a to go cup and a little bag of creamers. Jen said “ I’m sorry about all that” she handed me the coffee and rolled up the sleeve of her sweat shirt and showed me a Thin Blue Line tattoo on her inner wrist. Jen stated that her father was a retired Police Officer in Alabama. I smiled and said “Thank him for me” Jen Asked for what? “For his service and most of all, raising a good kid.” Jen smiled back and said, “Thanks to you also.” Then Jen said the words all police officers love to hear, “no Charge for the coffee”. I thanked her and gave her a ten spot.
All and all it was a good day. I got to Trigger some crybaby SJW’s , I met a young lady who made feel pretty good that there are still some really sweet people out there and not all hope for the future and my quest, to spread the word, of the importance of Every Day Carry Wisdom and Awareness, I got some free coffee, and most of all I got to spend some quality time with X-Einstein. I also learned a real good situational awareness lesson, I wasn’t expecting, My Subaru Crosstrek seamlessly blended into the urban East Nashville Hipster landscape. Who would have thought?
I guess along with my abilities such as picking an Awesome Wife and picking Awesome Guns, I must add my ability to picking Awesome Rides to the list. All this and I still remain humble. Wow. I really am The Option.
TFO Safety Suggestion- I tend to make fun of Antifa and groups and their ilk, but on a serious note, these groups are potentially dangerous, due to their large group violent mob methods of operation. These methods are dangerous to the innocent public in general, as their Protests are held in the streets of cities and towns, causing non-involved members of the community to potentially be injured. I suggest stay up on what’s going on in your communities and if you know there protests or similar events planned, avoid those areas, especially if you are going out with your children. Stay vigilant and stay alert. Be careful out there.
Everybody seems to be into coffee these days. It annoys me, because it’s like it’s a trendy Hipster thing now. I’ve been drinking coffee my whole life. My dad would give me coffee every morning, before dropping me off at the Kindergarten bus stop. I would have my thermos full of inspiration hanging with my friend Tony, who would be smoking a Tarrington 100, while the rest of the pack, was in the front pocket of Tony’s Sears Tough Skin jeans. The jeans were called tough skins, and they were held up with a belt. Your underpants didn’t show, if they did show you where rightfully laughed at. The only quasi acceptable reasons your underpants could show where the following, you were a little slow or you were struck by a car while riding your bike and the Paramedics were working on you. My Dad made great coffee. My Dad Liked his coffee liked he liked his women, Dark and Full bodied, like a Goth Rosie O’Donnell eating a feathered Raven. Coffee that was Strong and bold, the exact opposite of the Antifa Males. My Dads coffee was thicker than a professional Twerker. My Dads coffee would put these trendy coffee shop dwellers in the hospital. The Soy Sippers would have their girlfriends stolen away by a Cup of My Dads coffee. What I’m saying here is, after one sip of my Dads coffee the chicks would fall in love with its strength a rather date the actual cup of coffee than their current Soy boyfriends. I truly believe these Knuckleheads would lose their chicks to a cup of My Dads F-ing coffee. Full disclosure, I still love coffee and If I’m out, I may have my wife, the lovely Cher-Nobyl, I call her that because she is HOT and Deadly, run into the Starbucks and pick me up a cup of the old SJW Juice, hold the almond milk. I don’t go in, because I don’t want my friends to see in there. I feel much the same way about being seen in a Smart Car or a Mazda Miata.
Look, as time goes on and you guys get to know me, it may seem that I pick on C.S.D.C. The Coffee Shop Dweller Crowd an awful lot. well, maybe I do, but I do it with love and hope in my heart. I want to bring them into the tent of awareness and give them some wisdom. Truth be told, the group born between the Mid- Nineteen Nineties and the Mid Two Thousands have a lot to offer society. They are bright and very technologically savvy people; their problem is they have been psychologically weakened over time by the culture around them. The culture and society haven’t done them any favors. I’ve learned one important thing over my years that is universally true to everyone. Bad things are coming for us. Whether it be sadness, hard times sickness, death, its coming to all of us sooner or later, in varying degrees or ways. If you live your life and embrace it, live for others and not just yourself, tragedy and sadness is coming sooner or later. Many of us know this already. No matter if it’s just the living of life or you’re forced to defend yourself against some evil lurking around the corner, you have to be mentally tough. If not, you not are going to make it through. The head in the sand is not going to work my Homies, I’m sorry. If your offended by songs, movies, Toxic masculinity (whatever that is), cursing, etc. These maybe signs you have to toughen up a little. Here is a Tactical Rudeness lesson right here. Write this down- Nobody Cares That YOU Are OFFENDED. There no charge for that Life Coach Lesson. Hear this Dwellers! we need you under the Awareness Tent, with all our differences we can still work together to protect ourselves and communities against the Bad Guys that are out there. That’s what we also have in common, the bad guys out there, are ready to prey on all of us. That my Homies is where all the good decent people merge onto the same road. See commonality, the good win by looking out for each other. Let’s look for things we can agree on, build a foundation on that and work out the other stuff as we move forward. Let’s look at the many contributions the Dweller Crowd has made to our society already and find more commonality, for instance, here are a few. Lumberjack style beards on guys who have to pay someone to Blow leaves off their four by eight patch of condo front lawn(helping the economy), Skinny jeans being worn by men.( have to say, they would sure keep an in the waist band holster in place), Man buns. I got nothing, Safe spaces, where else can full- grown adults, go and use crayons and coloring books when they get upset( But, you add a steel door and heavy door frame ,now you have a safe room/safe space), See with a little compromise I’m bringing us together. How about Chai Tea and Coffee with whipped cream and sprinkles, Tofu pizza, soy ice cream, kale non-dairy milkshakes, Cinnamon swirl, hot pepper and pineapple beer, with kiwi and mandarin orange garnish. I know what you are saying, a lot of shit sucks, and you would be right, but, they are contributions to society and there were some positives to a few. For the love of F—K, I’m trying here. The important thing is we keep trying to find things that bring us good all together, we have are differences, but we all want to be safe and be capable of protecting ourselves and loved ones, so lets work together.
So that’s my plan, my journey in all this, bust the Dweller crowd’s balls, but know they mostly good hearted people, just like the crew I run with. We just have our shit together. See I can’t help myself, if it makes you feel any better I bust my friends and loved ones balls also, but I do it because I love them, and I do it with love and admiration in my heart. And, They bust mine right back. Its fun and we laugh and it brings us together. That’s always my plan, trust me, it always works. I also have to except that things are just different now. I was in a coffee shop the other day doing some writing and watching Fox News on my laptop. I was approached by some salted caramel and lavender coffee drinking Dweller who looked at my computer, and said in a whiney judgmental voice, “Why do you watch that? Did your parents drop you as a child?” Yes, I answered, they did drop me when I was a baby, over and over, Head first into a pool of Awesomeness and Badassery, and coffee. While you my Dweller friend, it appears you stumbled into a puddle of soy milk and Punkman tears, so move on. Dweller boy had nothing to say, he just ran straight for the coloring books.
One of the most often questions asked of me is what’s the best firearm to carry? This is a difficult question to answer, as there are many variable to consider. My stock generic answer and my humble opinion is, you should choose one from a major manufacture, with a positive track record. It should suit your needs and it should be the right fit for you. You should also find it cool, I’m just saying. Another common question is how do I become, more situational aware? This is an important question and one that is also not always easy to answer. This can also vary person to person through lifestyle and surroundings. For instance, a person on business in Afghanistan is in a much different situation than a person out in Downtown America. There is a principal that connects these two different people in two different environments and that is the following- The belief and understanding that there are evil people out there and these evil people will do you harm. Without this belief system in place it will be very difficult if not impossible to spot and avoid dangerous situations. This is because you have your head in the cultural sand. It is my belief that this principal is the most important piece of the defensive situational awareness concept. It is the foundation. The PC Culture has brainwashed the populace out there, that the practicing of good situational awareness is wrong, because people could be offended. So these, I listen to the social justice warrior crowd “Sheeple” Put in there ear buds, pull up their hoodie hoods and march into potential oblivion, while they check their twitter posts. But at least they aren’t hurting any body’s feelings. Thumbs up, good job, you f-ing Knuckle Heads. This is what I call, (Cultural Loss of Consciousness) or (C-LOC). This is what I believe to be the biggest threat to our families, our communities and ourselves.
When I teach Active Aggressor Training or Situational Awareness type training I recommend two books, Sheep No More: The Art of Awareness and Attack Survival by Jonathan Gilliam and The Survivors Club, by Ben Sherwood. These books are honest, powerful and educational reads and are must haves in your Every Day Carry Wisdom toolbox.
One story in Survivors club, which always stood out to me, was that of a woman who was alone in a sparsely occupied building late at night and was waiting for the elevator. When the elevator door opened, she saw a male inside and he immediately made her feel uncomfortable. She knew something wasn’t right and she was scared. She also felt that it would be rude to not get on the elevator, that the man inside might be offended. Against all her better instincts she got on that elevator, and was raped and nearly killed. For the grace of God she lived to tell, but a hard lesson was learned. Humans are part of the animal kingdom and we are supplied with some similar protective instincts. These instincts are very effective, but only if we don’t ignore them. When Peter Parker gets his Spidey Sense tingling, He doesn’t just sit there drinking his coffee with Mary Jane, thinking to himself,” Isn’t that interesting. No, “he jumps up, throws some cash and cab fare on the table, gets that suit on and gets ready to kick some Doc Oc Ass. Sure Mary Jane gets pissed, but that’s life, she will get over it or she won’t. Don’t get on the elevator, Offend the F out of who you have to, to feel safe. Spiderman knows when you sense danger; some danger may be coming, and DO NOT IGNORE IT! Retrain the brain that it is ok to offend people. It is ok to be rude, especially if your safety is involved. I’m from New Jersey, I offend at least seven people a day, here in Tennessee, and sometimes I’m not even trying to. Rudeness saves lives. I realize that being from New Jersey I have an advantage, I myself can’t be offended and I do not care, if I offend others, if it is warranted. This is skill that is cultivated all through our formative years. It is a necessary Jersey survival tool that all responsible Jersey Parents should teach their kids. We are nice until its time not to be nice. I call it “Tactical Rudeness”. Trust me, it works like a charm. I may be on to something, note to self, and pitch “Tactical Rudeness Training Seminars to Brian. I think It’s time to take this concept NATIONWIDE. The point is leaving Mary Jane at the table may be rude and Mary Jane may be offended, but there are lives in danger, and proper etiquette has to be tossed to the side when it’s time to get down to business. If Spiderman can offend MJ, and be alright with it, than you can offend some creepy stranger on the street. This may Offensive to some people, but, I say, F the creepy stranger on the street, you and your families lives are more important than some strangers soft assed feelings. Mary Jane always forgives Spiderman. Spiderman recognizes danger. Then Spiderman reacts to that danger. Be like Spiderman.
C-Loc, (Cultural Loss of Consciousness) is a take on the term generally used in aerospace physiology called G-Loc, (Gravitational Loss of Consciousness) where pilots lose consciousness due to exposure to sustained and excessive G Forces. C-LOC is caused by a sustained exposure to political correctness and the weakening of our entire culture.
We are on the beginning of a journey ladies and gentleman. The Option, Talkingguns and all of you reading this, all the visitors to this site, are on this new journey together. I want to be a guide to show you a path and perhaps a different way of viewing the culture and the world around you. I hope to get you to start looking at how your Every Day Carry Wisdom fits into your piece of everyday lifestyle. My Mission is to assist you on further developing your Personal Incident Preparedness Lifestyle for how you live. I’ve been given a voice. Perhaps my voice is small but with that voice I want to do what I can to prevent the totally preventable, to awaken people to the danger of the SHEEPLE/ VICTIM mentality. Forget the crowd, the crowd doesn’t care about you and your family, sometimes you have to stand alone. Remember taking personal security advice from Sheeple one of the crowd culture, is like taking advice from a vegan on how to grill a streak. Be rude when needed, hurt feelings, offend people, trust me, these concepts help save lives. It may be difficult, but nothing of importance is ever easy. But, I believe Tactical Rudeness is the key to breaking the C-LOC. Spread the word. It’s your duty. Be careful and God Bless.
The Fuerst Option Safety Suggestion- One especially for the ladies, if you’re out on a first date, or blind date or you just meet someone while you are out. Upon your introductions request to see the gentleman’s driver’s license and take a picture on your phone and send it to two trusted friends. Pre plan this and make it show and be obvious and tell the gentleman and what you’re doing. If he is a good guy, he will gladly do it, and probably think it’s a smart idea. If he has a problem with it, or refuses, he is not a good guy, so leave the date immediately, right after you take his picture of his face and send that. This should make the guy in question; think twice about doing anything creepy, his picture is out there. This just helps to further ensure you get home safely. It’s the practice of Tactical Rudeness. If you find a love connection, with a good guy, you’ll have a fun story to tell. You can give this advice to daughters, sisters and friends. Be Safe out there.
