Run, hide or fight

The consultant looked like he had done this before. A few years ago, the company where I worked brought in an expert on active shooter preparedness to talk about how best to respond to workplace violence.

The guy had bulging biceps, had spent some time in the special forces, and experience as a criminal profiler. He knew how to take care of himself in most any situation. He told us that in the event of an emergency, we had three different options. We could stay and fight. We could hide. And, obviously, we could flee.

Image by Erik McLean by Pexels.

Unfortunately, trainings like that one are now a regular part of contingency planning for large corporations. It’s a scary thing to think about, but, at the end of the session, I spent a lot of time thinking about emergencies, but more importantly, how I face big and small challenges in my life.

I tend to try to face obstacles head-on. I try to use common sense and my brain to get out of tough spots. I know that I’ll never win a battle of muscle. I tend to avoid confrontation, where I can, but I also I know that sometimes there’s no way around it.

I don’t think of myself as very brave or courageous. With my work style and preferences in mind, I write about a few of the moments where I’ve had to show courage, stand up for others, and take a position that put me on the spot in my post, Sink or swim moments, on The Heart of the Matter.

Let me know what you think. How have you shown courage in your life?

Related Story:

Sink or swim moments

on The Heart of The Matter

Discover more from Writing from the Heart with Brian

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

48 thoughts on “Run, hide or fight”

  2. Courage: After living with the pain and exhaustion of fibromyalgia for 22 years, my fourth book is in publication and the next one gets me out of bed every morning! (And I just slogged 10 blocks. Not gracefully, but gratefully.)

    Liked by 3 people

  3. I always appreciate training sessions like the one you’ve described…I can’t push the fear away, but preparedness and awareness are tools I like to have – always. 😉

    Liked by 1 person

  4. I think it’s a sad commentary to have come to this need for preparedness. I realize we need to be on guard against our enemies, but our churches and schools are also putting these plans into action. Is there no safe place for us anymore?

    Liked by 1 person

  7. When my husband worked at Merrill Lynch, there was a shooting across the country in an office in Florida. Then my husband got a real threat and they stationed an armed guard in the entry of his office. Scary times when the market crashes and a off the wall client takes it personally against the broker.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. That is very sad and scary to think about active shooting training being common for work places – and also schools. On one hand, I get the need to be prepared but what a world we live in now.

    Liked by 2 people

  9. It’s so interesting reading others’ responses to the active shooting training. My K-12 elementary school was in a really bad neighborhood and we had 4 active shooters on campus in my 9 years there. It was never a big deal! We locked the doors and hid, but no one was ever scared of being shot… we just gossiped about why the bad guy was being pursued by the police and tried to make out what the police helicopter was saying. I haven’t thought about that in 20+ years, but the nonchalance seems so bizarre in today’s context where people have actually targeted children in schools. It’s unfortunate that it’s necessary, but it’s probably a good thing that companies are offering situational awareness trainings.

    Like

  10. You are common sense, and reacting to each situation in the right way. You know when to stand up and speak, or when not to. It isn’t easy to be courageous, but it’s the right thing to do.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. “It isn’t easy to be courageous, but it’s the right thing to do.” Well said Jennie. That was my more or less my goal with both pieces today, highlighting that we’re all a little more courageous than we think and reminding myself that it’s the right thing to do!!! Thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

      3. It is a tough job, yes. I left the HS classroom before the pandemic. I am grateful for my experiences and the many connections I made; I now enjoy working with an author teaching narrative therapy online. 🙏🏻

        Liked by 1 person

  13. Brian, this is a message that is so relevant and spot-on. It’s sad that even schools have active-shooter training, when there was only a fire drill or hurricane drill when I was in school. My, my how times have changed. But I love the way you turned this into a teachable moment about courage in the face of life’s challenges, whether big or small. Facing them can still be a little scary! 🥰💖😊 But, as Kenny Rogers sang, “You got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em, know when to walk away, know when to run!” 🏃🏼‍♀️💪🏼🏃🏼‍♂️

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Do you remember hiding underneath our desks? How was that supposed to help? I remember fire drills then when we went outside, but were so close to the other buildings, in the event of a real fire, we would have been getting run over by fire trucks. Kind of crazy to think about now. Yes, we all have courage. Need to know when to use it. Ha, ha.

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Oh my gosh Brian, I forgot about hiding under the desks. Was that for a nuclear attack or something. We lined up in the halls next to the walls for hurricane drills, like being next to the wall will help in a flood! 😝 Geez. I could maybe understand that for a tornado drill, but I was not the adult in the room making those decisions! LOL 😂😱🤣

        Like

  14. I visited your other post, Brian, and you shared some great, inspirational stories. And as sad as active-shooter training is needed, it’s good that it’s being offered. To be prepared is the best tool. I also like your head-on attitude. I feel the same, and usually, that is my mindset, but I’ve had times when bravery has been shy. 🙂 I vaguely remember speaking up on the job before, and on a personal level, I’ve gotten in my brother-in-law’s ‘face’ when he’s been out of line. As you know, we’re going through a tough time with my FIL, and we’re in it together. But my BIL has some issues and has created some unpleasant holidays at our house in the past. I won’t take it from him though and have told him so with some ‘not so lovely words.’ 🙂 One event involved our son and I reacted so quickly that it took my husband by surprise. Another time, involved my husband, so I’ll defend my family to the ends of the earth, whatever it takes. Immediately, he walked out the door on both days, but it took courage for me because the outcome could’ve been less peaceful. He’s also very lucky we forgave him which didn’t happen overnight. Those events will never be forgotten though. Bravery and courage come in so many shapes and colors. Thanks for a great post and question. Enjoy your weekend. 🍁

    Liked by 9 people

    1. Thanks Lauren, the piece where I talked about courage in my own life took some effort. I wasn’t sure if I was going to include the story about my dad right up until publishing. It was a complicated relationship. My mom is still alive too and I didn’t want to offend her. My dad is hard to explain to myself, forget about others. He was challenging as a dad, but he was a great grandfather. The way you describe your BIL is the way I feel: defend my loved ones the nth degree, forgive but cautious all the same. As far as defending your husband and son … hmm, sounds like courage to me. I suspect what your going through right now includes a heck of lot of courage too. Thanks so much for sharing Lauren. I really appreciate it. Also praying for your family and you. Tough times like this are never easy … but they do make us appreciate the good ones all the more! 🙂🙂🙂

      Liked by 3 people

      1. I understand your hesitancy of sharing about your dad, Brian. I felt the same before sharing about my BIL. We love him, but he’s never gotten the help he needs, so we deal with these outbursts and it’s not fun. It’s been a while though, but when his dad passes, we pray he doesn’t go overboard. I guess what we’re doing for my FIL takes courage, but I think it’s something that families simply do for loved ones. If a relationship is broken, then the story is different. I think most of us are humble when it comes to admitting our courage or bravery. 🙂 And you’re right about the tough times enlightening us to greater appreciation of the good times. Have a good weekend!

        Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.

Website Powered by WordPress.com.

Up ↑

Discover more from Writing from the Heart with Brian

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading