How To Stay Alive In The Woods!

I have the classic text "How To Stay Alive In The Woods" pretty handy on my book shelf. I love flipping through it, learning new things, and dreaming of the day when I can come face to face with a mongo Grizzly in the mountains somewhere and put into practice my new-found knowledge of taming wild animals and co-existing among them...

HA! No way, I say!!! I am not that risk-deprived (though my wife and son would sometimes disagree). I might...I just might...take the risk of attempting to tame, say, a tree frog, or a beetle, though (I know, I know - that just sent shivers up and down your spine). If I am successful I might even go for something really challenging...like a squirrel! :)

Herein lies a human dilemma (and it has precious little to do with tree frogs!)...

Taking Risks.

When do we take risks? How big of a risk should we take? Who should we invite to take risks with us? I'm talking about everyday life here. Things like learning new tricks in the martial arts, starting a business, overcoming a fear, talking to someone you have avoided because of fear or insecurity, or simply attempting to bake that fancy chicken dish you picked up the recipe for...8 YEARS AGO!!!

No, seriously though. And where is the balance is risk-taking? Somewhere between the Grizzly and the tree frog. Some say there is no such thing as balance in risk-taking, that the two terms don't even work in the same sentence.

I believe there is a strategic approach to taking risks. One of the key success factors in risk-taking is "counting the cost." To count the cost simply means to know what you are getting into (as much as you can). Risk still exists because you can still fail, you simply will never know everything. Some would still say that this is not taking a risk. To them I would only submit that neither is jumping off of a cliff with a parachute. Silly. Of course, it is a risk! Jumping off of a cliff requires counting the cost (that's why you pack a chute!). So do other challenges in life, whether big or small.

Life is an adventure jumping from one risk to the next. Some adventures we go looking for, others kinda sneak up on us. That's part of the fun (I think).

As Martial Artists, I believe we are risk-takers by nature, at least to some degree. Who else do you know that willingly steps into a sparring match every Tuesday and Thursday, just for fun!? It's a good thing, though, being a risk-taker. It's one of the reasons why I believe we can be such effective leaders in our communities. We take risks. We do things no one else would dare think about. We lead. We set the pace. We go for it when the odds are stacked against us.

Think about the influence of people like the Gracie family from Brazil. What impact have they had on the world of Martial Arts, or the world in general, because they decided to take a risk and move a little known style (relatively speaking) to the world-wide stage? How about Bruce Lee and his insistence on teaching Westerners, and his innovations in Martial Arts and media? And what about Chuck Norris and his advancements of the arts, human development, and his work with youth through the arts?

The list could go on and on for a very long time about the accomplishments and influence of Martial Artists the world over.

Here's an even bigger question for you...

What is your mark? What influence, innovation, or development do you have to offer the world of Martial Arts? What do have to offer the world itself? You DO have something to offer. Each of us do. You are significant and it's time you stepped up, counted the cost, and decided to take the risk you need to to be a leader in your family, your school, your community...your world!

That may mean bringing an idea to life, standing up for what is right, or developing a way to assist the under-privileged in your community. Your risk, and subsequent influence, has to be your decision (and action). I'm just here to say "You can do it! Go for it!"

So, how to we stay alive in the woods? Well, we could avoid going into the woods at all. That wouldn't be very much fun though (imagine all the tree frogs you could tame). I say we take the risk, enter the "woods", wisely, and see what kind of influence we can have on the world around us.

What is a risk you have taken? Were you successful? What did you learn from it? How can we learn from your successes and failures? What level of influence do you want to have on the world around you?

Share your thoughts. In the meantime, don't try to tame a Grizzly, I hear they don't take too kindly to the notion. :)

Have An Extraordinary Day!
Doug McGannon
Kickgen.com username: KGDoug
http://www.questfortheusopen.blogspot.com
http://www.twitter.com/dougmcgannon