Recognizing a Threat
In martial arts training, we focus A LOT on identifying and staying clear of threats to our personhood. Most of the time, the threat is perceived as someone intent on causing us harm.
But what if the real threat (far more often than not) comes from something other than another person? Like, say, a systemic attitude, a cultural infection, or an enticing credit card interest rate?
What then? How do we train to recognize and deal with such things? Next week, we'll look into a couple of strategies to help with this. In the meantime, I've provided a list below of 50 common non-human/inhuman threats we all face(1):
[To read more, see below]
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Apathy
Lethargy
Illusion
Bitterness/Resentment
Half-heartedness
Resignation
Mediocrity
Taking the path of least resistance
Sloppiness
Poor posture
Habitual lateness
Passivity (or, even worse, passive-aggessiveness)
Self flagellation
Technological "devices"
Pour grammar
Disingenuousness
Half-truths
Ill-informed opinions
Fast-talkers
Those (and those organizations/companies) that over promise and under deliver
Fine print/hidden pages
Legalese
Credit cards
Get-rich-quick schemes
Snake oils of all kinds
Tyranny/slavery
Despotic governments
Atheistic philosophies
False religions
The demonic
Champion-itis (resting-on-your-laurels itis)
The flu
Poison ivy and other poisonous plants
Copperheads and other poisonous snakes
Ticks
Feral dogs and cats
GMOs
Fake food
Empty calories
Chocolate covered bacon
Tap water (for drinking and cooking)
Pesticides
Food preservatives
Refined sugars
Dairy
Gluten
Opioids
Alcohol
Pornography
Sleep deprivation
Encountered any of the above?
I have.
Do you know how to recognize these and fend them off before they swallow you up?
I'm learning to. Next week, we'll talk about some strategies to help us in this regard.
Notes:
This is not an exhaustive, all-inclusive list. I provide it only to spur your thinking. Truth be told, the list of potential "threats" we all face on a daily basis could be hundreds of times the size of the one I've provided above.
IKIGAI Weekly Blog Schedule (per The Training Trinity):
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Wednesdays: Holistic Discipline
Fridays: Martial Arts Practice
