Roll With the Changes
Many people have problems rolling with the changes. They don’t seem to like change, especially to their preconceived ideas of how things should be. They map out their event, their trip, or their life and then they try to stick to their plan no matter what. To them, stubbornness and follow-through is a badge of honor. And sometimes this is true, but not all the time.
The warrior shouldn’t be stubborn, at least not in some areas of his life. When you see conditions have changed, you should change your strategy. Too many people believe that it is their duty to continue on a path once they have started down that path. This is wrong thinking. It is not wrong to discard your plans once things have changed. You have to constantly change your strategy to fit the constantly changing environment.
When facing impossible conditions,
sometimes it is in your best interest to retreat.
The I Ching
Parents teach kids that if they start a new sport or hobby, they have to follow through to the end, no matter what. If they find that they don’t enjoy it or in fact hate it, people seem to think that it is their duty to make them continue to the end, in order to teach them not to be quitters. Kids should be taught not to be quitters, but they should also be taught to re-evaluate their goals when things are not working for them. It is one thing to quit something because you don’t think that you can do it or because of fear of failing; it is quite another to quit because you found that it no longer fits your interest or your objectives.
Any experience can be transformed into something of value.
Vash Young
The same thing is true for warriors. Don’t feel you have to fight to the end once you have engaged in a conflict. Sometimes it is in your best interest to retreat and re-evaluate the situation. Always think rationally, not emotionally. Don’t continue to fight an impossible battle because of what others may or may not think. Change strategies when they need to be changed. Remember your goal in a physical conflict is to protect your life first and defeat the enemy second, not to “not be a quitter.” Do what it takes to achieve your ultimate objective.
The first law of war is to preserve ourselves and destroy the enemy.
Mao Tse-Tung
I have heard many people make statements like, “Well he may kill me, but he will know he has been in a fight.” SO WHAT?? What does it matter if you give your enemy a couple of bumps and bruises if you are dead? That is not rational thinking; that is emotional testosterone. The warrior has to think rationally. Don’t make decisions based on your emotions or what someone else who is watching may think of your actions.
Our actions are like rhymes:
anyone can fit them in to mean what he likes.
La Rochefoucauld
Who is going to be there to protect your family and friends if you end up dead because you are too proud to re-evaluate the situation? The fool rushes in because of pride; the wise man evaluates each situation according to his objectives. Think rationally, not emotionally.
Be careful of your thoughts; they are the beginning of your acts.
Lao Tzu
