cast_iron_skillet dafremen “The unexamined life is not worth living.” - Socrates In a discussion about self defense (we all know why), someone said (more or less) that, "If you have time to think about DISABLING someone, you must not feel that threatened." Well I disagreed, (because apparently that's what I do), and explained that not all of us need to THINK in a crisis situation and likewise some of us do not LOSE the ability to think in a crisis situation. I personally have had my ass beaten since I was 2. I have taken some of the most horrendous ass whoopings imaginable. (Kicked to the head with silver tipped cockroach killer boots while crawling away from a mugging. I looked so bad, the Tijuana cops piteously gave me a ride home. And they're not usually LIKE that, trust me.) So when I'm in a crisis situation, I know what to do: let go, let my subconscious take over. It knows exactly what to do to survive without resorting to "muscle memory", years of firing range or martial arts training, or acting like some freaked out psychopath. And that's why, when old Robbie the drunk lost his shit and came charging at me, I picked up a chair..without thinking. And when he reached for a chair of his own, that's why I cracked his hands with the chair I was holding..without thinking. And when we ended up in a tussle, I reached for the lighter aluminum pan instead of the cast iron skillet..again without thinking. And now here's the strange thing. I'm almost certain the gentleman who suggested that I have to THINK in order to perform the actions that align with my values in a crisis, would call the aluminum vs. cast iron skillet decision, a proof that there was THINKING going on on my part. But that's because he's confused as to WHEN I figured out that I'd chosen the lighter skillet for a reason. See, there are THREE things of which you can be absolutely sure in this life: 1. Every moment is perfect. Therefore 2. Everything happens for a reason 3. There is only this universe..nothing else..so what am "I" to doubt 1 or 2? So, for me, I feel what I should do instantly, do it..then deal with the consequences. And after the chips fall where they may, it is THEN that I ask the questions, why? Why did that happen? (The second rule makes this necessary. ESPECIALLY when things aren't going as I EXPECT or WANT them to.) And so for some reason, I picked up the lighter skillet. And when I went back to examine that moment, I asked myself what my feelings were at the time. This: Hurting another is hurting myself..and so I didn't feel the urge to hurt him, just stop him. And furthermore, I hate unnecessary drama and strangers traipsing through my personal space, so that manifested as an awareness that deadly weapons feel like cops showing up at the door, or at the very least, an ambulance. And so, going with gut feelings had homogenized into an action that was less lethal, because I wanted it to be less lethal. Not because I THOUGHT about the choice. Because I lived it. Then..later on..examined it within the context of a life that's never gone off course (couldn't) except in my imagination. Good ol' Socrates..who knew? It's all right there. 211121 what's it to you? who go blather from