Living peacefully, free and fearless in what seems a violent time

Pictured above a neighbor teaches TKD outside my home on the public greenspace. 

I have a healthy respect for and healthy fear of guns. I won't own one, nor would I have one in my house. 

But it's so violent now? And you are out there on the road, riding to work or long distances for fun. How do you live peacefully and freely in what can feel like violent times? 

I feel we need a healthy balance especially as women of taking normal precautions, using common sense. This "be afraid, very afraid, stay inside, lock the doors and play with the computer" message keeps women down. It also leaves us sedentary, unhealthy and isolated from our neighbors. 

Is it meant to do that? I'm not sure it's not meant to. 

But you say "OYL, you're a 2nd degree black belt, in training for 3rd, it's different for you" 

No, it's not. 

As a martial artist I train for that 'ah hah!" moment of "oh,it's supposed to be my other left foot". I try to get one technique right every class. Really. It's fun, essential part of my physical training and part of my eclectic spiritual practice. I don't train to be the biggest baddest Mo Fo on the block. At five foot nothing that's laughable. 

People come to MA for a variety of reasons including a perceived need for self defense. Few last long with that attitude . Most find other satisfactions from training, others drop out the moment they get 1st degree black belt .... or just leave. 

I believe in avoiding confrontation, escalation or dangerous situations at all costs and de-escalating conflict whenever I can. 

On the other hand I hope this is true of me that if an unavoidable conflict occurred .... I'd either win or there's going to be enough pieces of the perp on me that there's going to be an airtight case based on DNA evidence. 

But let's just not get into that situation in the first place shall we?

Now, get out there and walk the dog, run, swim, hike, RIDE! Be fearless, ride as if you own the road and be free.