I always picture myself heroically charging the gunman with a few people I made eye contact with right before, but this guy actually went and did it. Solo to boot.
You might be surprised what you’ll do when the shit hits the fan. I’ve saved my own life twice, arguably three times. I think most people can summon more courage than they think when confronted with life-or-death decisions.
It’s just that most have been scared shitless, but not “I’m going to fucking die if I don’t act in the next 3-seconds” kinda scared shitless. Time crawls, our brain starts sorting solutions, picks one, acts.
This man was extra though. His life wasn’t immediately in danger, he could have frozen or run backwards. But sometimes our monkey brain says, “attack the threat to the tribe” and we just go. He went.
Imagine carrying that extra confidence for life. Hero indeed.
I was once in a situation like that… When people started screaming I was already carrying my niece under one arm (who was a preteen no longer usually carried) and bringing her to my stepdad and telling him to get her out of here. I didn’t realize what I was doing, I didn’t hear her asking me what was happening until I was power walking towards the screaming and telling my mom (a nurse) who asked what to do that she should follow me to see if there was something to be done
Turns out a woman offed herself in a bathroom, there was nothing to be done. I snapped out of it, and I was more disturbed by how calm I was during the whole thing than anything else
But now I know. My mind will shut off and I’ll act…I have the memory of what I did, but not a single thought went through my head during the event. I was equally ready to fight someone with a gun barehanded or to cover my hands in blood to slow the bleeding. I probably would barely notice getting shot in that state
I guess I always thought I’d be the heroic type, but lots of people do. I’m shocked at how effective I was in the moment… My priorities were followed perfectly, I locked the fuck in, head empty, no thoughts, no hesitation
I think that’s always what it’s like. And that’s why you never really know… I’m not a leader, in fact my step dad is and I hate telling people what to do. But when the chips are down, I bark orders that people obey and run towards the danger automatically
I always picture myself heroically charging the gunman with a few people I made eye contact with right before, but this guy actually went and did it. Solo to boot.
You might be surprised what you’ll do when the shit hits the fan. I’ve saved my own life twice, arguably three times. I think most people can summon more courage than they think when confronted with life-or-death decisions.
It’s just that most have been scared shitless, but not “I’m going to fucking die if I don’t act in the next 3-seconds” kinda scared shitless. Time crawls, our brain starts sorting solutions, picks one, acts.
This man was extra though. His life wasn’t immediately in danger, he could have frozen or run backwards. But sometimes our monkey brain says, “attack the threat to the tribe” and we just go. He went.
Imagine carrying that extra confidence for life. Hero indeed.
I saved a man’s life once (AFAIK, I’m unaware if he actually survived after first responders took over).
I almost killed myself later that day, overdosing on meds. Not everyone is equipped to deal with that kind of stress.
Hey. Glad you’re still with us.
I’m not. But then again, never have been glad to be here.
Well, the man you saved, and his family and friends, are glad you’re here, and so are we. Extend yourself some grace.
You really never know until the moment comes. If you’re that kind of person, your mind just blanks and you’re suddenly doing things
I always imagine i’m just freeze up. But who knows.
You really never know until you’re in the moment.
I was once in a situation like that… When people started screaming I was already carrying my niece under one arm (who was a preteen no longer usually carried) and bringing her to my stepdad and telling him to get her out of here. I didn’t realize what I was doing, I didn’t hear her asking me what was happening until I was power walking towards the screaming and telling my mom (a nurse) who asked what to do that she should follow me to see if there was something to be done
Turns out a woman offed herself in a bathroom, there was nothing to be done. I snapped out of it, and I was more disturbed by how calm I was during the whole thing than anything else
But now I know. My mind will shut off and I’ll act…I have the memory of what I did, but not a single thought went through my head during the event. I was equally ready to fight someone with a gun barehanded or to cover my hands in blood to slow the bleeding. I probably would barely notice getting shot in that state
I guess I always thought I’d be the heroic type, but lots of people do. I’m shocked at how effective I was in the moment… My priorities were followed perfectly, I locked the fuck in, head empty, no thoughts, no hesitation
I think that’s always what it’s like. And that’s why you never really know… I’m not a leader, in fact my step dad is and I hate telling people what to do. But when the chips are down, I bark orders that people obey and run towards the danger automatically
And I’m pretty proud of that