Saber-toothed Tigers, Big Mastodons and Cranky Crocodiles

What comes to mind when you think about these big scary animals? Two of them are extinct and one still roams the Earth stalking prey with its shiny daggers for teeth. Try and picture what you would feel like if you were to come face to face with one of these creatures. If these creatures were sentient life forms, you may be able to sit with them rationally and talk with them about how their day is going over a cup of warm tea (probably Iced tea for the Mastodon). Unfortunately, real life doesn’t work this way.

The truth is, if you came face to face with a creature that could end your life, your built in defense system known as the sympathetic nervous system would activate. In this life or death scenario, your body would decide what to do based on 3 different flavors of electrical stimulation:

*Fight | Go 12 rounds with the Sneaky Saber Tooth, Bashing Big Mastodon and Crazy Cranky Crock. Give them the old 1’2′ combo until they cry to their corner man and thrown in the towel

*Flight | Blast past Usain Bolts 100 meter record getting away from the danger

*Freeze | Take up residence deep within the glacier and be unable to move (Hope that Saber Tooth Boy and Crazy Crock aren’t hungry)

In this scenario, it is easy to think about the feelings we might get because we have all felt the effects of an over stimulated sympathetic nervous system. Ever given a speech in front of class? What about that big sports competition you wanted to win? Ever had and argument with your partner?

The truth is, when we get stressed our sympathetic system activates the same way as if we were staring deep into Crazy Crock’s crazy eyes. The sympathetic nervous system was developed when the chances of being eaten by a predator was a very real possibility. This is why we feel so uncomfortable under stress. Our body is preparing us for a serious life threatening event…so why do these feelings come up during mundane life events like grocery shopping, walking in crowds or flying on airplanes? Simply put, our ancient defense systems haven’t received the latest patch. In the eyes of nature, the expression “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” applies (much to the discontent of those of us who feel broken). To the ancient defense systems, taking a break and lowering the shields only can occur if the captain of the ship can confirm to their crew that all is well and no threat exists.

So why be a warrior as opposed to an anxiety lover? Warriors confront. Warriors overcome. Lovers can accept what their body is and what it does, however there is no room for growth with simple acceptance. Much like how giving the saber tooth tiger a big hug won’t change his mind on considering you a tasty treat.

Becoming comfortable in the arena of conflict is where we can strengthen our mind to take on any challenge that comes our way. We have the ability to train our Fight Flight or Freeze response to activate in the way we want it to based on the situation where we are tested. As you achieve victories in the arena where the only opponent is you, your warrior spirit will strengthen and you will be able to control your mind to not panic when confronting scary thoughts disguised as big scary animals.