A strategy for success

As I sat in a defensive tactics class several years ago, the instructor spoke about how we carry ourselves as professionals and how we should constantly exhibit behaviors which were above reproach. The instructor told a story about how during one specific training course he attended, he and some of his friends had been joking around, catching the eye of the master instructor. Being called up to the stage, my friend’s heart immediately sank. He said the last thing anyone wanted was to be the person chosen to have the master demonstrate on them in front of the class.

As the master instructor began sharing with the class a new tactic, he abruptly stopped and began smiling at my friend. As my friend later described, “I froze, and fear overcame me.” The master’s smile, it seemed, was his reaction of visualizing in his mind what he was about to do to the unsuspecting student.

The first day of church camp was amazing for both girls. With their mother helping at the camp, I found myself missing my family, so I conveniently became available each night to help with dinner. After seeing the girls the first night, all my concerns about their being gone were laid to rest. The second day was a totally different story. Although the girls continued to have fun and enjoy themselves, their fiercely protective and competitive natures began to rise to the surface. My wife said that she had to talk to one of them because another girl was giving her sister some lip so our child — you guessed it, Riy — decided the other girl needed a lesson and promptly threw her in the pool.

Holding back my inclination to laugh, I thanked my wife for her addressing the issue. Later that night, the second call was received. While talking to my wife, she abruptly stated “I gotta go, the girls are fighting.”

I later learned my precious little angels decided to “throw down” over who would be the first to partake in their nightly shower, yes, at church camp. Thankfully, the pushing and pulling brawl was between themselves and no other camper. Regardless, I bet it added to the camping experience of the other girls in the dorm.

Talking with the girls later that afternoon, we spoke about setting the example and how sometimes the best strategy in battle is to simply take the high ground and walk away. After strong threats about their camp experience ending if there were any more incidents, the girls went about their way. The girls thrived the rest of the week and mom and dad were happy that no more incidents occurred.

As I sit here, contemplating about my week, I think about my friend, and the girls at camp. So often we engage in proverbial battles, caring little about how we are carrying ourselves, blazing in with no sense of direction or desired outcomes, or wisdom. Like the master instructor we must consider the most effective means of fulfilling our purpose. Remember friends, strength is not always brought forth by winning alone, but the wisdom that is gained through persistence and strategy. Even if it means we need to distance ourselves by walking away.