Dangerous Business

This is a picture I took while sitting on a cliff in Africa a few years ago. Yep…those are my feet dangling over about 80 feet of airspace. Was it safe? Hardly. Was it dangerous? At least a little...it is a long way down, and even if I survived the fall, the herd of cape buffalo just out of frame could have easily finished the job.

And Bilbo Baggins was exactly right; it is a dangerous business going out your door. Besides cliffs and cape buffalo, there are all sorts of things to be wary of. Criminals and car crashes, and lately…viruses and riots. Dogs and cats living together. But is it any less dangerous hiding in your house, distancing yourself from human contact, and covering your face with a germy little burka strung from your ears? Is it any less dangerous staying home from work, draining your bank account, and providing the details of what daily life you do have for government tracking?

Is it any less dangerous surrendering life in the vain hope of surviving just a little bit longer? Because even if you opt for the promise of safety, it is only a stall. We are all destined for the eventual big sleep, and the only thing any of us can do is try to delay it for a while.

Not that I advise throwing caution to the wind and taking up parachute-less skydiving or anything. As a military man, police officer, and security professional, I have dedicated the bulk of my adult life (and much of my pre-adult life) to polishing skills intended to preserve life. I’d encourage anyone to obtain skills and tools to enhance your chances of survival as you live your life.

Tools. And the knowledge and skills to go with them.

Notice I said, “enhance your chances,” and I did not say, “guarantee your survival.” There are no guarantees, as Bilbo Baggins warns us. Once you step onto the road, there’s no knowing where you’ll be swept off to. Still, Bilbo wasn’t telling us not to step onto the road. Be prepared for dangerous business, but do not allow fear to stop you from walking on out your door and living.