Hi friends,
I really enjoy getting emails from you. A couple of you had some great suggestions in response to my newsletter about depression last week.
Sam suggested something that might sound counter-intuitive: Say, “I want to be depressed” over and over. Give it a try. Usually after a few repetitions, you start laughing at how silly and ridiculous the idea is and it can improve your mood. Simple enough to give this reverse psychology trick a try.
Sk suggested turning your worries over to God and trusting that help will come. And for those who have other beliefs, trusting a good friend or therapist can help share your burdens so you don’t feel so alone carrying them.
I hope you’re all finding ways to enjoy life and handle the difficulties that show up occasionally. 🙂
For today’s tip, I picked a very easy, but effective, one.
Turn sideways to protect yourself – Self-defense Tip #22
This doesn’t require much explanation and once you understand the concept, you’ll be amazed at how effective it is.
First, stand in front of a mirror straight on, hands down, and notice all the areas that are vulnerable to an attacker: face, eyes, throat, solar plexus, groin, front of the knee, top of feet.
Now, step back with one foot, turn your body to about a 45 deg angle from the mirror.
Suddenly, your vulnerable front is now further from the attacker, plus your lead shoulder and arm are shielding them. Your groin area is protected by your hip. And only one knee or foot is accessible. Plus if you bend your legs slightly, it protects your knees even more. Your face is still vulnerable, but it is also a bit further away, which is good.
Now lift your front arm, like you’re reaching up to scratch your chin while bringing your rear arm across the front of your torso.
You’re now in a basic martial arts stance.
Look in the mirror again and search for vulnerable areas an attacker could strike. Most of them are further from the mirror and have a less vulnerable body part protecting them now.
Pretty cool, huh?
Even better, by having one leg back, you’re a lot more stable.
Imagine someone shoving you while you were in your original position. You’d likely stumble backwards and maybe even fall down.
What about the sideways position with one foot back? Feel free to test it out and have a friend give you a controlled push. You’re much more stable and can keep your balance against an attack better.
Plus, anything that makes you stable against a push, will also add a strong base to any of your own attacks, making them more powerful.
And all this by taking a step back, turning sideways and raising your hands, a simple set of moves you can do in less that a second.
Next time you feel worried or unsafe in a situation, positioning yourself like this should be your first move . . . if you don’t just leave right away, which is even better!
Stay safe out there!
____________________
Misty’s Writing Update:
Sherry sent me a great idea for an ability for my ‘ninja’ star-nosed mole pet to have: being able to project 3-D images of himself to more safely travel about when in danger.
Such a cool idea!
I’m thinking of calling it something like “Afterimage” and it would be an ability the pet could activate if he’s ever spotted. What do you think? Any other cool ideas or ability names?
Plus, it’s the perfect ability, since Pax, my main character, is under a lot of suspicion during book 2 as his enemies do their best to catch him breaking rules so they can sabotage his career at the academy. He’s going to need all the intel his pet can get while sneaking around for him.
And I finally sat down with a stack of blank paper on a clipboard and a mechanical pencil, my favorite way to brainstorm! I jot down different plot lines, underline them, and then add any ideas that come to me underneath.
It’s funny, because I love my tech in most other endeavors. However, despite trying out different brainstorming computer programs, I still keep coming back to blank paper and jotting plot notes all over them.
Once it’s time to outline the chapters, I’m right back to the computer, fast and comfortable. Just not at the brainstorming stage.
What about you? Are there things you just have to do in an “old-school” way too?
Enjoy reading this week!
— Misty 🙂
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