What if… How to keep safe when it’s cold (and dark) outside
January 13, 2009 by mcasey
Filed under Inside You
Winter brings increased risks since we can’t always choose to walk the dog or get in our exercise during the daylight hours.
These fears are compounded by the heavy clothing that restricts movement and makes it hard to use are other senses, like hearing, because of being bundled up. Plus, the cold weather is distracting and makes people internally focused in an effort to stay warm and ignore discomfort. The ground is often frozen and treacherous. Finally, with the rash of attacks that have happened in the last few months on University Hill and the Creek Path, there are legitimate reasons for concerns.
So here’s some good news. Heavy clothing is also a benefit because it acts as modern day armor. Bad guys are just as affected by cold and walking conditions as you are.
Just because the nights are long and cold, you don’t have to dread your walks.
The first thing to do is identify what you fear most. In that large list of possible fears, there will be some that are at the heart of your discomfort. Knowing what makes you uncomfortable allows you to manage it.
Now, there are three ways to manage risks: accept, avoid or mitigate.
Let’s take the example of the treacherous ground. You could accept the risk of black ice and gleefully wear stiletto-heeled boots, knowing your chances of good traction are decreased. You could avoid the risk and stay indoors until the pathways have been properly cared for. Or you could mitigate the risk by wearing snow boots and changing into your stiletto boots later.
I originally entered the martial arts because I was a college student and library night owl. In my junior year, we had a rash of sexual assaults on campus and it suddenly hit me that being at the library until 2 a.m. was a risky behavior — and probably not my only one. I had decisions to make about who I wanted to be. I decided that it was important to respect my body’s natural bio-rhythms and that I needed a strategy to manage my risk. I choose martial arts, and later added meditation, to mitigate my risks.
I strongly believe that no choice is a bad choice if it is made freely with mindfulness and respect. What choices have you made to be the success that you are today?
Meditation on managing risk
Find a comfortable position where you can be relaxed and alert.
Wear comfortable clothing.
Choose one risk factor that is causing fear in your life or pick one decision you are agonizing over.
Take 21 deep breaths, repeating your question on the exhale.
Then relax into silence, letting the power of your question wash over you.
Sit and allow answers to arise, as they will.
Take a deep breath and let your question float away from you.
Stretch and enjoy the rest of your day.
– By Mary Casey II
Mary Ji-Aitoshi Casey II is a third-degree black belt, Deshi and owner of the Boulder Quest Center. Send her your safety questions at mary@boulderquest.com.
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