
I am usually a very rude person....
I always want to go through the door first.
I always want to stand closest to the door of the elevator and push the button.
I always want the best seat in the restaurant.
I sometimes drive on the left lane - too slow--
I don't care if people bump into me if they want to get between me and a friend but sometimes I may say sorry when it happens.
I step on peoples toes a lot in waiting lines at the grocery shop.
I don't necessarily answer to people who talk to me.
I poke people in the ribs before talking to them.
I hide behind sunglasses and pretend to not see people waving at me.
I push friends right or left in shopping malls.
I......
I am usually a very caring person.....
Whatever might be beyond that door, I want it to happen to me....not my loved ones.
Whatever might be in front of me when that elevator door opens....I want to confront it!
I want to be seated in the seat where I can see who enters the building!
When I see people overtake in very dangerous places, I want the space to evade their accident and why not, prevent people following me to get involved aswell.
I don't want any drunk person spill his drink (or worse) on my family.
I tend to explain to people what a "comfort zone" is...my way.
Some questions just don't have a correct answer....
Touching the zone of the ribs of people makes it easier to move them without offending them.
Sunglasses....you just have to have them! :-)
Whenever I see or feel "bad things" about to happen, I guide my family and friends into a slightly other direction.
The perception of our actions depends on the perspective of the goal to attain and the ability of the perceiver to recognize our actions as beneficial.
This of course is the tricky part....
Did you ever do something to help somebody, and they really did not like that?
example: You may force your kid to look "completely uncool" by putting helmet and knee protectors on when skateboarding and yet be perceived as an outdated-dictator parent while all you wish is to keep him save.
It really can be challenging sometimes as a warrior-protector to make your "good intentions" clear to to the people you are so lovingly trying to protect.
We look so abnormal that people tend to have a difficulty to accept what we offer.
Has the society we live in really dropped to that kind of standards?
I consider myself very lucky to be part of a Ninja family tradition, so I do not have to use the term "normal" when I explain to my six-year old boy why he has to wear a helmet, I just have to tell him "that's the ninja way to do it" and most of the times, that works very well.
It's a bit more complicated with adults :-)
Explaining helps!
As a martial artist, my initial quest was self-defense.
This is when the protector protects himself I am very happy that my actions keep me out of trouble.
A friend of mine got me involved in assisting in the protection during a visit of H.H. the Dalai Lama in the Netherlands last year.
This is when the protector goes beyond his personal safety. This is an easily definable task, and generally well accepted by the receiver of the service.
As a husband, father, friend,.... my actions should prevent dangerous events to happen to people who surround me and get everybody home, happy and healthy.
This is when the protector, protects himself and others the difficulty here is that sometimes, people don't know that you are protecting them and that may lead to awkward situations where the protected people fight against the protection you offer.
SORRY, I do not have a ON/OFF button!
I am not a warrior-protector "most of the times", sorry, I cannot be shut off...:-)
Next time, when I squeeze in front of you to open the door, put your hand on my shoulder so I can feel you.
Next time, when I say "Go left", don't turn around looking to the right.
Next time when you see my car in front of you and I slow down, don't call me "names", look closer to why I slow down.
oh and yes....
Next time, let me have the best seat in the restaurant.....thank you... :-)
you're welcome