Fight? Or Flight?

From the beginning of time, human beings have had to endure the daunting decision when faced with conflict. In the aim of self preservation, we have struggled with the choice of whether to stand our ground and fight, or make optimum use of the adrenaline coursing through our veins, and make a fast exit.

The ‘fight or flight’ conundrum we all face throughout our lives, allows us to learn right from wrong, our strengths and weaknesses, earthly and spiritual laws, and vital skills of communication and relationships. These are all aspects of our humanness, which assist us in our development and growth.

Fighting for anything can be extremely complex. Whenever we choose to fight, we are often fighting to keep, gain or prove something, while aiming to prevent possible removal, loss or damage. Our fight almost always consists of us trying to hold onto something which we already have, gain something we want, or prove our validation for something we feel we deserve. While at the same time we are often actively aiming to either remove something that already exists, or prevent it from coming into existence.

If we have taken the choice to fight instead of taking flight, from any perceived fight, it is obviously advisable to make sure that we are fully prepared for the battle. We need to ensure we are sufficiently equipped, and we have the correct mental, emotional and physical tools available for the fight, as failing to prepare is undoubtedly preparing to fail.

The choice to embark on an act of ‘fight’ should not be taken lightly. It is imperative that we check ourselves to make sure that we are not making this choice out of our ‘Ego’ as a desire to ‘Win’ or to ‘Save Face’. Choosing to engage in any fight for either of these reasons, is not only a senseless and fruitless task, but also a complete waste of our many precious and vital resources

We should always way up the pros and cons of our choice to partake in any battle prior to commencement, and we must also ask ourselves many questions. We need to decide if what we are preparing to fight for is actually worth the battle. We should consider the possible costs that will be involved, mentally, emotionally, physically and financially, whatever the outcome. And most importantly, we must ask ourselves if this is even our fight to be fought. As in many battles, we may be unexpectedly coaxed or led into a conflict or fight, which on close inspection - and even post battle reflection - may not actually be anything to do with us.

It is vital that we pick our fights very carefully, because if we do choose to stay and fight, we may be faced with many perils. We may be faced with an unexpected need to ‘fight fire, with fire’ - either metaphorically or literally - which may be a method of battle which we are not accustomed to, or experienced in. Yet, our opponent may regularly partake in battles of such a nature, which means they could already have the upper hand before the battle has even begun.

While many people may feel that a choice to take ‘flight’ rather than ‘fight’ is perceived as an act of cowardice, choosing to avoid any battle is often seen as the more peaceful method, which could possibly bring the fastest resolution or solution. A choice of ‘flight’ is often taken with the intention of defusing the conflict, as well as aiming to preserve our precious and priceless resources of time, energy and peace, in the knowledge and understanding that ultimately ‘it takes two hands to clap’.

Once again, our decision to take ‘flight’ is not a choice which should be made lightly either. We must ask ourselves the same questions, and investigate the pro’s and con’s of choosing to remove ourselves from the battle. We may feel that choosing not to fight could encourage a more peaceful solution or amicable resolution, but we understand that this too is an outcome which is not guaranteed, as we must never forget that ‘from whatever we run, will surely continue to come’. So what is the answer? Is there any alternative to the ‘fight or flight’ mode? Is there a less abrasive choice available to us?

There is indeed a third option. This is an option which very few people have explored and struggle to comprehend. This is an alternative option which actually allows us to engage in both fight and flight mode simultaneously. This third option involves placing ourselves in a positive and progressive headspace, where we can take a step back, and look at the situation without experiencing the emotions or guilt, which are often related to our decision to leave or ‘take fight’. From this same reflective headspace, we can take mindful steps forwards, and embark on our fight from a personal and safe space.

The regular ‘fight or flight’ process which we are all taught to accept as standard from a young age, is an external and physical reaction to any conflict. This method calls for us to use whatever physical tools we can acquire outside of ourselves, to help us either remove ourselves from the fight, or stay and engage in battle. However, our third alternative method requires a gathering of natural internal tools. In this option we are guided to search for our innate and authentic tools we already own. In one word, our third option is to ‘Ignite’.

Our choice and ability to ‘ignite’ is a personally empowering one, which is connected to our ‘fighting spirit’. This is not a verbal, physical or mental fight, but a natural need to ignite the inner fuse of our needs, desires and expression of our soul. When we choose to ‘Ignite’ we are allowing our heart, mind and spirit to work in unison and take the lead.

Making the choice to ‘ignite’ is choosing to connect all of our internal and spiritual tools, to protect what our soul holds dear. We are choosing to ‘Ignite’ our inner spark of passion, for whatever is important and indeed sacred to our existence. When we make the choice to ‘Ignite’ from within, we do so with the understanding that we do not need to use our physical energy and power, to bring about the desired and successful results we believe we need and deserve.

From this higher place of mental clarity and growth, we are able to have faith and belief, that whatever is truly ours can never be lost, removed or taken away. Our inner spark of passion and desire will ultimately ‘ignite’ our fighting spirit to ‘fight the good fight’ for whatever should or must be fought for.

If we choose to discover and ignite our fighting spirit, we can become fully capable of using our natural and authentic abilities in any battle. These are our abilities to live our life from a higher place of internal abundance and peace, rather than exist from an external place of lack and conflict.

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