8 Reasons Why I Will Become A Victim Of Crime

1. I complain a lot

Out of the fear or frustration of crime, I complain to everyone that is willing to listen to me. They eventually tell me to change topics and this frustrates me even more so I go out and look for fresh ears to complain to. I let this fear and frustration consume my every though, each and every day. I actively contribute to other peoples' fears and frustrations and keep telling them about how bad things are; how no one does anything about it; how it used to be with the "other government"; that this country has gone to a ball of shyte, e-tolls this, and corruption that, etc.... It doesn't stop! As long as there is electricity (or not), it is an opportunity for me to complain! I fail to recognise that this constant negative consciousness - thinking, feeling, talking and doing of things negatively - will attract more of these negative elements in my life!

["This makes it better for the rest of us! The more negativity is attracted to you, the less will be attracted to me!"]

2. I don't take responsibility

Crime is not my problem! I pay my taxes (mostly) and I voted at the last elections, so it’s the government’s problem! The police and judicial system should handle it! I very rarely read, listen and comprehend the potential hazards that are around me, whether it's via the media, other people’s experienced, or through sources. I have more important things to do in my life, like earning a living, raising a family, and trying to achieve that next big house or car, or overseas trip! All these other aspirations are “more important” than the one thing that these aspirations are built upon - my own personal safety.

["With great power comes great responsibility. But I have the greatest power yet...I LIVE, hence I have the greatest responsibility to preserve it! Only once your own safety foundation is establish, can all other aspirations be accomplished.”]

                                      

3. I have become apathetic 

I don't care about the crime anymore. It is going to get us all anyway so why bother doing anything about it! Alternatively, I am so cocky enough to think, crime will never get me, I have become disconnected to the reality of the situation. Perhaps I have to disconnect so I don’t feel the fear or frustration anymore.  I am like a machine – cold and unemotional. Alternatively, I might have the "Ostrich syndrome" - if I ignore it, it will never get me. If it does find me, I will just use my natural skills to get me out of a situation (like using those ostrich wings to fly off or fend myself). My attitude is one where I don’t care or give a damm anymore.

["Evil will prevail unless good men and women stand up and fight against it."]

4. I am lazy

I don't take the necessary steps to become aware and avoid the potential criminal elements in my life. Furthermore, I don't believe in preparing adequately enough so I don't invest in effective security at my home or office, or personal security by training by body and mind for potentially life threatening situations. Besides, I carry a weapon - both a knife that I got as a gift at the last office party, which I occasionally whip out to cut biltong with, and I have a licensed firearm that I have stashed away in the safe for those just-in-case moments! I don't need to do any on-going training because I am just that kind of guy- I seen it once, and I can repeat it multiple times thereafter, word-for-word. Just don't ask me actually do it because its winter now and I have slacked off from the gym, dojo and shooting range for a bit because I'm cold, have a cold, or just warming up in front of the TV with a bag of crisps.

["There are enough couch-warriors in the world, willing to dish out their crisps of wisdom. We need REAL warriors!]

5. I already "know it all"

I have been to one 3-hour self defence course, a week-long of hardcore training course, and even used to train in the martial arts when I was younger! I have done it all before! As a matter of fact, I have done so much, I have the belts, certificates and photos to prove how much I have done in the past. I forgot to mention that I am a not as fit, young or handsome as I used to be. I even forgot to realise that criminals are getting smarter and more violent by the day and devising new ways to separate me from my hard-earned material possessions or my life!

["The fool laughed so loudly, that all the town-folk could not help but laugh at the fool who laughed so loudly!"]

6. I have an excuse (or two)

I don’t have the time to train. I can't even spare 30 mins a day to training in proper self defence training because it does not fit into my schedule. I am a busy person! Time is one of those things I have to reserve for my job, my family and my many social activities and hobbies! Furthermore, the venue is never ideal! It's too far and it takes time to travel to and from training several times a week. I don't have the money either because I spent in on physio fees from injuring myself the last time. Oh yes, and the injuries! I am not as young as I used to be and it just hurts opening up a tin of Pringles, which by the way, hurts my index finger. And now because I hurt my finger, I won't be able to make training for the next month or three. Also, did I mention it is winter? Winter is cold! I am sure the criminals will be keeping warm rather than attack me!

["There are excuses and there are results - It's mutually exclusive and can be applied in in all areas of life. Set your priorities, commit to them and stop making excuses!"]

7. I train incorrectly

I train, but my mind and heart isn't in it. I am still thinking of that last report I submitted to the manager and why the friggin project manager just can't cut through the bullshyt and get my project delivered on time! My body is doing the routine but really, I can multi-task and let my mind focus on something else. When I need to, I will switch on and train in some "activity" when I need to. 

["When you train, train like you mean it!"]

8.I forgot to enjoy life

I complain, worry, fear and get frustrated with all this crime around me. I take up training, not one or two various martial arts, combative arts, military warfare training and now I have become hyper-vigilant and extremely stressed out! I started off with the people around me, but have become so immersed in all the training I have actually become a fanatic and paranoid! I forgot what it feels like to relax and just spend time enjoying being with loved ones or doing the things that relax me. I spend so much time preparing for the worse in the future; I forgot to see the best that's happening right now in the present.

["Prepare for the worse, but not at the expense of your loved ones. After all, isn't that what we were prepared to protect in the first place?"]

These are my 8 reasons. What are yours? 

Till next time,  get EDUCATED, become EMPOWERED, and ultimately, live a positive and ENGAGED life...

WH

"I know everything about you and you are my target..."

An interesting article by Rake Jeeves in December 2013 that illustrate the safety concern of these cute, family stickers that are placed on the rear of a car's window. It's the latest fad, but at what cost? Take a read below and you decide:

“

I have never met you and don't know your name and up until today I didn't know where you live

You passed me on the road and suddenly I knew everything about you:

You are a single mother with teenage daughter, no men in the house.

You are relatively well off and like playing tennis.

You don't have any big dogs, just one small dog that is no threat to me.

Judging by the car you drive you will have flat screen T.V's and because you have a teenage daughter there will be things like computers, tablets and smart phones in your house.

I decided to follow you home because you have shown me that you are a soft target.

When I invade your home with my gang I know there will be very little resistance, no men and no big dogs but plenty of expensive stuff for us to take.

How did I know all this information about you without having ever met you, spoken to you or seen your house?

By the little pictures of your family set up that you put on the back window of your car…

These pictures have made my job so much easier because they tell me nearly everything I need to know without having to drive around the neighbourhood spying on houses and sitting watching and gathering all this information.

It used to take me days of surveillance to get this information.

Thank you very much; I will be visiting you one of the evenings whilst you are watching TV.

I'm not a violent person but I can't say the same for my gang members.

Fortunately I'm not a violent criminal but because of my job I have to think like one and driving around checking out the little pictures on the back window of cars made me realize just how much information they give out about you, your family and to a large extent your wealth.

“

Take your personal safety seriously!

BE VIGILANT. BE SAFE.

Strike Where It Hurts - 10 Best Target Areas For Self Defence

Over the years, by doing the various martial arts, I have encountered many opinions as to what the best targets are on the human body, and how effective they would be in self defence. Well, I can say without a doubt, the 10 areas that I am presenting here, have all been personally tried and tested! They are, in my opinion, the 10 best areas that I feel would be most effective when having to defend myself!  I have had both had the pleasure of being able to hit, rub, grab, pull, push, bite, scratch, squash and poke these target areas on my training partners; but I have also had the unfortunate “pleasure” returned back to me too (with more zest and gusto by my training partners)! Needless to say, each of these targets have been tried and tested and have passed with flying colours in terms of their effectiveness! 

What makes these areas effective is that they cause a lot of damage to the attacker. In some instances, they can cause bones or cartilage to break, blood vessels to burst, nausea, dizziness, suffocation or just induce extreme physical pain.  Furthermore, the areas are reasonable easy to access with relatively easy-to-apply techniques. With the correct training and practice, anyone will be able to use these targets effectively in a self defence situation. 

The 10 Best Target Areas for Self Defence, in no particular order, are:

1. Eyes - A slight jab in the eyes causes uncontrollable watering and blurred vision. A forceful jab or poke can cause temporary blindness, or the eyes can be gouged out. If you want to get lethal, death can result if the fingers penetrate through the thin bone behind the eyes and into the brain.  

2. Ears - A strike to the ear with cupped hands can rupture the eardrum and may cause a brain concussion. You can also attack the area directly behind the ears which can cause unconsciousness. Again, if you want to get lethal, a powerful blow to this areas can cause a concussion or a brain hemorrhage and/or death.

3. Nose - Any blows to the nose can easily break the thin bones of the nose, causing extreme pain and eye watering. Striking or rubbing under the nose can also cause great pain and watery eyes.

4. Neck - A strike to the front of the neck (the throat) can cause extreme pain, gagging, vomiting and/or even death. The side of neck is also a great target. A sharp blow to this area causes unconsciousness.

5. Biceps - Striking the biceps can render the arm useless, cause extreme pain, dizziness and even nausea! 

6. Groin – A groin strike can incapacitate an opponent by causing intense pain and/or unconsciousness. 

7. Fingers – The fingers are one of the most sensitive areas of the body. In a situation, if you can get of a finger or 2, bend them back as far away from the palm as possible to either break them, or cause the attacker immense pain. If you get hold of two fingers, you can also "separate" the fingers from each other to have the same effect. 

8. Knees - The knees are easily dislocated when struck at an opposing angle to the joint’s normal range of motion. With correct training, the knee can be dislocated or hyper-extended by strikes.

9. Shins – Strikes to the shins causes immense pain. A powerful blow can possibly fracture the bone that supports most of the body weight . Strikes to the inside-leg of the shin area cause also cause immense pain, nausea, dizziness and even unconsciousness!  

10. Feet – Strikes to the toes, instep and ankle can cause immense pain to the attacker.

I hope that with the knowledge of my 10 best target areas, you will keep them in mind when you practice (with a proper instructor supervising) and apply them, should you ever need to, in a self defence situation. 

The key to effective self defence training is that it must be effective; easy to remember, learn and execute; and be accessible to anyone (regardless of age, gender or athletic ability); and ultimately, leave you feeling empowered with knowledge, self confidence and skills!

Get EDUCATED. Become EMPOWERED. Live and ENGAGE life positively! 

Till next time...

WH

NOTE:

It should be noted that there are a number of various OTHER targets that one could go for. The human body is a complex and intricate system of bone, muscles, organs, nerves and veins, and in each of these categories, there are more viable and effective target areas one could use effectively in self defence.

Kyusho, a martial art that I practice,  is a study of the weaker areas of the human body and how, in particular, the nervous system, or the pressure points of the human body, can be used against itself! Remember those old kung fu movies where, using very quick finger –motion, the kung fu master pokes an opponent in the torso several times, causing him to become paralyzed? Or alternatively, ever seen a video of a fight where a gentle clip to the chin by one fighter renders the opponent unconscious?  Kyusho is the study of how one can induce all that. By touching, rubbing or striking certain areas of the human body, one can cause some rather nasty effects on the unfortunate person receiving it! It is particularly effective for people who are physically smaller and/or weaker than an attacker (women, children, senior citizens). 

Take a look at this demo video I put together to show a bit of what Kyusho can do!