I have said several times that personal defense is a lifestyle, not a hobby. Now, by that I don’t mean that we should spend our time thinking that every moment might be our last. Nor do we have to spend our every second in public with our hand on our gun and a grimace on our face like Wyatt Earp Jr. In my case, I have simply come to understand that bad things can happen at any time or any place, so I try to be alert for it and prepared for it.
I certainly think that the greatest skill that we can develop and continue to improve on is just being aware of what is going on around us. In addition to dealing with a few bad guys over the years, it has kept me from being bitten by numerous rattlesnakes and being the victim of several traffic accidents that could have been really serious.
I don’t know about you, but I have to continually remind myself to be more alert. A few years ago, I was getting cash from an ATM outside the credit union. It was broad daylight, but I failed to notice a fellow walk up and stand, waiting his turn, about 15 yards from me. Fortunately, he was peaceful because I darned sure wasn’t in Condition Yellow that day.
While personal defense being a lifestyle doesn’t mean we’re always at Red Alert, I do try to give it some thought every day. It may be reminding myself to be more alert, or it might just be scheduling regular trips to the gun range. It could also mean just cleaning and examining my carry gun and gear for serviceability or need for repairs or replacement. I might just get online and read some training tips from respected instructors.
While personal defense is a lifestyle it is also all about continuing education—we can never learn too much about the mechanics of quick, accurate shooting or successfully dealing with criminal attacks. After all these years of packing a handgun, I still run onto little tips of ways to do things quicker, better, or safer.
Instead of the lifestyle of personal defense being all doom and gloom, as some might think, I find it to be refreshing and encouraging. You can truly go through life with a smile on your face, enjoying most every minute and still be alert for trouble. In fact, there is some relief just knowing that you are better prepared to deal with trouble should it be visited upon you.
So enjoy life, but be alert and be prepared. That’s the personal defense lifestyle.
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