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In my usual banter at advanced classes, I’ll usually reference the sheep, wolves, and sheepdogs to make some point in my training. A good discussion I thought I would share and maybe get some of you to think about which group you belong to, in spirit, training, and preparation, and the opportunity to change if that’s part of your bucket list.
The sheepdog has committed to protecting the flock. In spirit, there is a higher percentage here in the US than probably anywhere on the planet. The true sheepdog requirement is being armed, trained, and prepared. The sheepdog lives to protect. He will sacrifice for his beliefs, not just those he loves. They have a “when”, not “if” mindset. They intimidate those who intimidate others.
The sheep are gentle creatures who may react under extreme provocation. This is your everyday citizen. The estimate is 80% fall into this category. They tend not to think about the bad things that can happen. They live in a world of denial. They do not want to believe that evil exists in the world. They accept the fire alarm and extinguisher in their child’s school but outraged at any idea of armed protection. Our children are thousands of times more likely to be injured by wolves with guns than any fire. Denial is the path they choose. They also have a love-hate relationship with the sheepdog. The sheepdog has fangs and a capacity for violence. When things are quiet, they don’t get along with the sheepdog that well. Suddenly, the wolf appears, and they hide behind the sheepdog looking for protection.
And lastly, we have the wolf. The estimate is 10% fall into this category. Sheep are their prey. Evil is a common denominator in their psyche. They will feed on the flock without mercy. They choose their victims like African lions selecting the weakest; the one that is least capable of protecting itself. There are evil men in this world, and they are capable of evil deeds. According to my internal thermometer, evil is growing.
How do the sheep and sheepdog think differently? Using the 9-11 attack as an example, the sheep pretend the wolf will never come, saying “I’m sure glad I wasn’t on one of those planes.” The sheepdog lives for that day, saying “I wish I could have been there. Maybe I could have made a difference!” Citing my own example since moving here to Colorado, the subject of the Aurora movie theater shooting comes up frequently. My response, “Had I been there, the situation would have been much different!”
Okay, so what’s the point here?
First, you can choose which one you want to be. Genetically we are destined for a group. I firmly believe we can be what we want, and more of us are choosing the sheepdog path. It is a moral, religious, and conscious decision. There is no absolute in any group and most of us live somewhere in the middle. Since 9-11, almost everyone took a step away from denial. The sheep more accepting of the sheepdog, and the sheepdog taking their job more seriously.
Next, if you want to be a sheep, that’s okay, but realize the price you will pay. When the wolf strikes, you and/or your loved ones may die if the sheepdog is not there. If you want to be a wolf, realize the sheepdog is going to hunt you down, forever. If you want to be a sheepdog, then every day is dedicated to preparing yourself for the wolf attack.
Lastly, recognition of the group we belong to in spirit. If we are a sheepdog in spirit, then for God’s sake, train and prepare for it. If we are a sheep, then recognize the evil wolf is targeting your body language, the way you walk, your passive behavior, and most of all, your lack of awareness. And the wolf, email me your address.