Guidelines for Fighting & Living

(1) "Good tactics" doesn't mean "taking no risk." It means "taking the best risk." Any time one must employ tactics, by definition, good choices are no longer available. Only bad choices remain, and one must choose "the best of the worst." Risk and opportunity are inexorably intertwined. The greatest opportunity always necessitates exposure to the greatest risk.

(2) You'll never have all the information you think you need. You must be willing to throw the dice while the game is still in progress! Some students over-analyze to the point where opportunity unfailingly slips away. The longer you wait, the more options dry up.

(3) Don't relax too soon! As victory rears her head, many students pause,
and pausing, fall victim to a crushing and well-timed counter-attack!

(4) Few come through fights unscathed! You must finish the fight, even though wounded. You can't pause, and you can't take breaks. This is a job from which you don't get to resign. Stay in motion!

(5) In fighting, there is no "free-lunch." Surprises are, without fail, part of the deal. One must always have a plan, but be flexible enough to absorb unexpected setbacks and, likewise, be ever ready to exploit unexpected opportunities.

(6) Fear is normal. Circumspection is normal. But, courage, boldness, and audacity you either have or you don't!

In feudal Japan, a poor practitioner of "Chado," the Way of Tea, inadvertently insulted a "Ronin," a unemployed Samurai. The outraged Ronin immediately challenged the Teaman to a duel to the death.

"I am not a warrior," timidly replied the Teaman, "and I'm sorry that I offended you, but understand that it was simply a clumsy mistake on my part. I meant no harm. Please accept my humble apology."

But, the Ronin would have none of it. "We meet on the Field of Honor at dawn tomorrow," he growled as he rushed off in a huff.

The terrified Teaman ran to the home of a famous Swordmaster and related the afternoon's events.

"A luckless situation," said the Master. But, as they talked, the Teaman prepared and served tea. The authoritative and masterful way in which the Teaman went about his tasks caught the eye of the Master. He marveled at the Teaman's effortless grace. Suddenly, he slapped his knee and said, "Forget what I just told you. Put yourself in the state of mind that you were in as you served tea, and you can win this fight!"

The Teaman was astounded. "I've never held a sword in my life. I know nothing of fighting. What state of mind are you talking about?"

"As you served tea, were you thinking, 'I am a Teaman?'" asked the Master.

"Of course not," replied the Teaman, "I wasn't thinking at all!"

"That's it!" shrieked the Master, as he handed the Teaman a sword. "On the Field of Honor tomorrow morning, draw this sword and hold it high over your head, ready to cut down your opponent. Don't think you're a Teaman. Don't think you're a Samurai. Don't think at all! Just listen. When you hear him shout, immediately move forward and strike him down."

"I'll try," replied the Teaman.

"No!" shouted the master. "Don't 'try;' DO! or do not."

The following morning the Ronin swaggered onto the field, confident of an easy victory; but the stoic Teaman immediately raised his sword over his head and riveted his eyes on the Ronin, his ears waiting for the battle cry.

For long moments the Ronin stared at the Teaman's raised sword and determined, steely gaze.

Abruptly, the Ronin's countenance fell. His bearing withered, and, with a shaky voice, he whimpered to the Teaman, "I cannot beat you." He bowed to his opponent in disgrace and then slumped off the field.

Comment: As bad as you think your situation is, your enemy's is likely even
worse!

Never give up.
Never give in.
Always call their bluff!

"I wish no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to
go after the enemy!"

JP Jones
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From my Gun Kata* guru.

*If you like guns and cool gunfights, you MUST see the movie Equilibrium starring Christian Bale.

The Gunslinger