Fighting Drive

I had a bit of free time earlier today; I contemplated writing my post then - but I looked out the window and saw my brother swordfighting with his friend. There was a brief internal struggle, then blog writing lost. I'm glad it did. For one thing, it did me a bit of good to go outside and do something physical instead of staring at a monitor. But I'm not quite conscientious enough to have done just for that reason. In all honesty I did it because I like whacking people with sticks - as long as it's a fair fight of course. What makes it fun is that you too are in imminent danger of being hit. It's a game, and it has stakes. That's why Laser Tag, for instance, has never had the same appeal for me as BB wars. When people are shooting real little projectiles at you, it's not just about the points. It's about not getting shot because you'll get a jolly big welt if you do. However toned down and tame that is, it does connect with me at a visceral gut level. Why? The adrenaline rush, yes - but I would go so far as to say that we as humans (and particularly as males) are hardwired for conflict. That's not a very politically correct idea, I know. It's supposed to be all forbearance and peace and gentleness. Well, all those things have their place. Perhaps they are even ideal. But in case the PC brigade haven't noticed (and they haven't) we don't live in an ideal world. And no amount of faking it is going to get us there. We were born onto a planet where blood, sweat and, dare I say it, spit is going to get you a lot further than any quantity of tears. Fortunately Someone knew that. That doesn't mean that we automatically rejoice every time we run across a difficulty - too often we just whinge - but there is something in us that, provided we don't squelch or smother it, will come to our aid and give us the energy and drive to fight. There is no shame in that; this instinct never caused a war. Wars (or the need for them) are kindled through greed or pride or insecurity. This drive is, in spite of the impression it gives, a fragile thing and can easily be broken or lost - do not suppress it. Once gone, it can only be regained with much pain.