Hostilities exist.
President F.D. Roosevelt spoke those two powerful words within his legendary “Day of Infamy” speech to Congress December 8, 1941, one day after Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Empire of Japan. America rallied to arm itself, safeguard its families, and take action against the hostilities that threatened it.
What do you do when you encounter a hostile world? President Roosevelt’s words are as true today as they were 70 years ago. Hostilities exist. They just exist in different forms.
Today, your job might be threatened by a toileted economy.
Or you’ve got little kids, and there’s no way you’d allow them to play at the park alone, like you did as a kid.
Or a driver on your commute home swerves all over the freeway like a crack-addled madman.
Or 105-mph winds menace your home in a late-summer horror-storm.
What’s a leader to do?
Early this morning before I stepped out the door for a run, I stopped by the hall closet and palmed a device that helps answer this reality: bear spray—a powerful type of mace. The area I run in is a heavily-wooded nature preserve where wild animals roam. Just two weeks ago, a jogger spotted a cougar crouched on the trail.
Nature can be savage. A cougar will lie in wait for a victim, spring down from a tree, and rip out his jugular before he knows it. Usually a cougar is hungry for deer or rabbit. But cougar attacks on humans do occur. I don’t know if mace would save a life in a cougar attack. But at least when I carry it, I feel some reassurance. At least I’ve got a fighting chance.
Here’s what I think. When faced with hostilities, the wise leader takes two actions:
1) He safeguards his life and family. This means he chooses best practices up front. He evaluates situations and circumstances for prudent living. Some situations he avoids. He changes plans, inconveniences himself, delays gratification, or says no for the sake of protecting what he holds most important. He asks, “Maybe I shouldn’t be running on this trail in the first place. Maybe I should be running somewhere else.”
2) He keeps living anyway. Even though hostilities exist, there is no reason to shrink back from life. Potential for danger lurks around every turn, yet the wise leader lives courageously. He doesn’t succumb to unnecessary risks, but he presses forward in a good and sensible direction, understanding that challenges will inevitably arise. Sometimes he chooses to run in nature preserves, knowing full well that cougars might be on the same trail.
President Roosevelt was right. Hostilities exist, and those are two words a wise leader never forgets. It’s not that we need to view life as a continual problem to be solved. Life is an adventure to be experienced. Still, we need to remember it’s not always a safe world out there.
Your turn to talk. How have you experienced the existence of hostility, and what have you done to safeguard your life, and to press forward with courage, or both?
17 comments:
Thanks for sharing this Marcus. It reminds me of the line in the Two Towers from Aragorn to King Theoden, "Open war is upon you whether you would risk it or not." So many of my day to day activities are fraught with the battle, whether it be seeing my wife throught he eyes of Christ or saying "no" to an offering that seems so delicious. Keeping my mind set on the reality that "hostilities exist" is essential to interpreting and discerning the spirits that are at work. I've found immense freedom when I can hold onto that perspective, though i missit much of the time.
A good reminder Roger, thanks for posting.
I am a runner too, Marcus. But, the predators I worry about are the two-legged kind. We have a beautiful lake here that goes on for miles. Some sections tend to have little foot traffic and runners are attacked now and then. I love the tranquility of these areas. I run through them every once in awhile and I always think of how I might use my key or whatever is in my hand against an attacker. Sometimes I turn around and go back to the populated area if things feel too ominous.
A few times here and elsewhere I've come across a male runner after almost aborting a run through a questionable area and asked if I could run with him. I figure it's more trouble to attack two than one. I knew I could keep their pace and they didn't seem to mind. But, I don't really like to impinge on someone else's running experience. So, these were rare occasions.
Mostly I stay away from the more isolated areas these days. When I became a mother, I felt a heightened sense of responsibilty for not letting anything happen to me because now I'm not the only one who would suffer the consequences.
Marcus, a Marine I know told me to prioritize in this order: Mission, Team, Self. Perhaps it is a little cleaner than your formulation, but does share the general idea.
Kaylee--a good comment, thanks. My wife often runs with another woman. The other woman actually carries a small handgun with her when she runs. She's explained that she often runs in early morning or on deserted trails, and has been approached several times in circumstances she feels uneasy about. Pause for thought, for sure.
Habap--good comment, thanks.
That's impressive she runs with a handgun, it certainly makes my key weapon seem a bit pathetic. Anyone who tries anything with this woman is in for a surprise.
I agree on both possible actions. But it depends on the hostility which action I take.
Agreed.
"Women and children can be careless,
but men should never be careless."
Vito Corolene
The Godfather.
Marcus - I am not a blogger by nature, but in your case I make an exception, since we know each other and are in the "same business;" keeping alive the stories of the men and women who serve their country in time of war. It is good to keep in touch and I look forward to seeing your future postings. - Larry Alexander (Author, "Biggest Brother: The Life of Major Dick Winters ...")
Larry, great to see you here. Your books are powerful tributes to heroic men. Best to you. --MB
A good reminder for all. Once, years ago, my husband (a pediatrician) was threatened by a man he had to testify against in court. The man threatened to do harm to us, the family. I got a call from the office saying hubby was on his way home, I had to pick our two young kids up from school and we had a few good men surrounding us that evening. Talk about circling the wagons. Nothing came of it, but I think my husband reacted appropriately. It was pretty scary at the time though!
Yeesh. It happens, doesn't it. Glad everyone's okay.
Before deciding to carry a loaded firearm for personal protection, it may be wise to check the specific laws and ordinances in your local area, regarding doing something like this.
Absolutely. Good comment.
I will try this but my tech skills are not very advanced. Thanks for your books, but I do need to read about Shifty. I have the other 3 shown and will read about Buck again, probably during Easter week. I watched B of Brothers ending showing Buck catch the foul ball. I am so appreciative of what all vets do for our country. I am a retired college counselor, but work part time to certify veterans for their GI Bill Money. Thanks for your books and my first blog from you today.
Gary
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