The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is the dearness only that gives everyting its value. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.
-Thomas Paine, American Revolution patriot.
Do you remember the Black Knight character in the Monty Python movie, The Holly Grail? There is a fantastic scene where the Black Knight has been hacked to pieces, literally having his arms and legs removed by his opponent. The Black Knight mockingly taunts his assailant as he is walking away, bantering to him to come back because he can still bite him! That's the spirit! I know, ludicrous and absurd, but as crazy as that move is, that's the right attitude when you are facing a life and death situation. Indeed, we all need to be like the Black Knight, a real Bad Ass, never willing to give up.
As a Police Officer I have seen people so badly damaged from car accidents, stabbings, fights and shootings that there was no doubt in my mind they would succumb to their wounds. Yet, remarkably, they survived. Why? How?
In other situations, I have seen people with relatively minor injuries die before they even made it to the hospital. These people should have survived. Again, the questions of why and how beg to be asked.
It has been my personal observation, time and time again, that there is one key difference between the people who lived and the people who died. Very simply, it boils down to the attitude of never giving up.
The people who survived impossible circumstances fought hard to live. Their passion for survival was resolute. Often, they came from backgrounds of struggle and turmoil. Constantly bathed in conditions that were harsh, they would struggle for survival every day. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that they were tougher and had a mind-set that was programmed to overcome anything set in their path. These people were strong, focused and unwilling to give up.
Many of the people who died were not strong people, either mentally or physically. They had never seen or been exposed to situations that placed theier lives in danger. Many came from lives of comfort and wealth. I would be willing to bet they had never been seriously challenged at any point during their lives. They did not possess the passion to survive, and whey life tested them, they were not ready for the challenge. Are you?
So, is it possible to find that inner "Bad Ass"? Each of us has a darkness in our soul. It is a place we often fear and seldom do we cultivate this aspect of our nature. But if we are to adapt a warrior's attitude we must be willing to explore this darkness and its application to survival. Indeed, it is often at the moment of seeming hopelessness that the ture essence of our nature bursts forth to overcome insurmountable obstacles. With a sudden realization, what we fear comes to serve us, to move us to overcome dire circumstances. This is a great gift, to realize our unlimited potential and to embrace that which we fear.
I tell you that you must believe, with all your heart, that within you resides a quality of your soul that will bring that bad ass attitude of survival, of never giving up. You must strive to find this side of yourself and then apply it with righteous force. When you can do this you will have moved toward becoming a complete warrior and a formidable force to be reckoned with no matter what circumstances you find yourself facing. Make up your mind, right here and now. Unleash that inner "Bad Ass"!
Rodger Ruge is a retired police officer, California POST Master Instructor, certified personal trainer and author of The Warrior's Mantra, Barricade Books Inc., June 2005. Rodger can be reached for seminars and contact information at his web-site; http://www.readyforce.net.