Wimps are annoying. They wander around as hollow two-legged targets, silently begging to
be bullied or injured. And, when they complain about a nearby Warrior who is willing to fill the
safety void they leave — by his own violence when necessary — their annoying presence turns
into an offensive stench capable of gagging an adult skunk.
From around 1993, Lt. Col. Dave Grossman has trained up students in the clear distinctions
between “Sheep,” “Wolves,” and “Sheepdogs.” Sheep are intended victims, Wolves are
menacing villains, and Sheepdogs are potential defenders. Their characteristics are most often
crystal clear, and their roles in a violent encounter are just as clear.
Many of us proudly class the Wimp (sheep) as an unalterable human mess who, when savagely
preyed upon, give the Warrior (sheepdog) a glorious opportunity to get injured in the process
of helping him.
So, how we do handle the Wimp in everyday life? Is this a class of our culture that can ever be
respected? Is there any real hope for today’s Wuss? Can a Wuss ever really become a Warrior?
Michelle, Bob, Gina, David, Shelly, Charlie, Tina, Sarah, Javier, Cynthia and Juanita all say,
“Yes!” They’re students who made the transition from Wimp to Warrior. Their stories are not
public, because of the one nuclear impetus that spurred them to change their values — severe
personal injury.
In each case, the walls preventing them from morphing from Wimp to Warrior came down just
about as fast as they flew to the ground during their brutal attacks.
All of those heady learning mechanisms, from frontal lobe to the cerebellum, become
miraculously energized after a victimized Wimp makes the decision to change. And, from my
corner, that resolution is irreversible.
If you’re a fan of SDTS, you already know about your own skill development and your growth
in confidence. It’s a journey that is not instantaneous and not snap-easy. Is there room in the
day to encourage a local Wimp to consider the shift to Warrior before he or she faces injury?
Let’s give it a try.
With success, there might be one less Wimp around to muck up the works; along with one
more Warrior to defend our right to defend. Among the Warrior’s skills, compassion resides in
there somewhere. It’s not soft to let it out; it’s wise.
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Peter E. Schultz, author of Extreme Preemption.
Find Pete’s Book HERE
Start the Self Defense Training System SDTS HERE
