I remember going to a BJJ tournament once in a strip mall and a woman passing by remarking to a man who had his kids there that she didn’t think it was a good thing because she thought that it encouraged violence. Now obviously there’s a lot we could unpack here. How people who do things like participate in combat sports are far less likely to use violence and all that but there’s a bigger point I want to get at here.
Well a couple of bigger points. One being it’s amazing sometimes how out of touch with reality some people can be. But that’s neither here nor there. But let’s talk about what she said. Violence. What connotations does this word have in our society? What is violence considered? What is its meaning? I think most of us have been raised that violence is bad, violence is dirty, wrong thing. And certainly violence has been incredibly destructive throughout human history.
But to say that violence therefore is bad itself I think is a bit foolish. For example all the rich white yuppie kids who chanted “violence is never the answer” in the sixties, is this really true? Or is violence only never an answer if you’re sheltered and rich? And even then is that true? I want to take a closer look at violence here. Yes, violence can be horrible but I think there’s more to the story.
The Thing About Violence Is…
Yes, it’s horrible. It can be absolutely terrifyingly horrible. Now I’ve never lived through mass executions, in a war zone, or other horrible events. I’ve seen violence on the personal level and how horrifying it can be especially to the young and vulnerable. Violence can truly be one of the most awful and horrifying things on this earth. There is no doubt about that. However there’s a trick thing about violence.
Because yes on one side it can be absolutely horrible, sort of like fire. If you’ve ever been in a house or forest fire or are a fire fighter or have just seen the effects of fire you know just how horrible this thing can be. However we all know that fire is also needed for all sorts of good things. And though we may not think it violence is also like this. It can be horrifying but at the same time it’s needed.
Like Jack Donovan said violence may never be the first answer but it’s always the last. Here’s the thing I can ignore a bribe, I can ignore an argument not matter how logically put together or persuasive, what I can ignore is brunt force. Say I’m a horrible person and wanted to do harm to others. An argument may or may not stop me, bribing me may or may not stop me. But a violent force I don’t have a choice to react too or not the laws of biology and physics have taken care of that.
Violence & Fighting
Violence is the only “ultimate” answer to violence. Put another way if all the good guys refuse to consider violence as an answer well then the first “bad guy” that decides to use violence is going to be king of all the guys. That’s human nature and how things work. I think one of the most valuable skills you can teach your kids and develop yourself is the desire/will/ability to fight. It’s so critical to every facet of your life and the quality of life that you enjoy.
Now I’m not just talking about boxing, MMA, and the like although obviously those are good vehicles for teaching these lessons and I don’t just mean fighting physically, though that is an essential skill. I’m talking also fighting in general. Fighting back against those that push you around, fighting back against thing you don’t like. Fighting back mentally and spiritually as well. Developing the will and ability to fight physically, mentally, and spiritually.
You have to fight to survive in this world, you have to fight to build anything worthwhile, and you sure as hell have to fight to keep anything worth while. Mentally, spiritually, and yes physically as well. None are more important than the others they’re all important. Something I harp on all the time is developing all facets of who you are. As humans we have three “parts” physical, mental, and spiritual and it makes no sense what-so-ever to neglect developing one of those parts.
You Have To Fight
By being born on planet Earth the choice was already made to you. By being born a human the choice was already made for you. It’s a matter if you want to fight, because you’re going to have to, likely for everything. And if you’re not fighting for that something but still possess it, that’s likely only because someone else is fighting on your behalf. So learn to fight physically, mentally, and spiritually because it’s not going to be an option and the sooner you learn that the better.
If anything I said here interests you I’d highly recommend you check out The Ultimate Alpha Collection which is a compilation of 16 of my books for the price of 5. It covers everything from being a man to making money to getting the right mindset to getting girls to fighting and more and is a resource no man should be without. Pick up your copy today!
-Charles Sledge
