When I was younger, I felt that my fists were my only weapon. Like many other youths that got sucked into suburban street life, I had the ‘area mentality’, steadily looking over my shoulder as many rivals laid lurking in the shadows. As teenagers we were constantly at boiling point, down for whatever and always on guard when trouble came. I copped a few hidings and handed out a few of my own. Although, after every altication, I felt the same dead feeling inside, no matter which way it went. In hindsight, it was a pretty sh#t existence, but we were proud to hold down our own. Later in life, I realised that there are better ways of dealing with anger and other built up emotions. I learned that I could be more calculated/logical, it wasn’t about backing down, it was more about finding other ways to stand up for myself. It took a while to wash away the anger, but time and a lot of self education cured everything in the end. I didn't have to be a victim of myself anymore.
Violence is for the reactive rather than proactive thinker. It’s always better to walk away knowing that you can lead a more promising path.
Cowards back down in fear, while the strategist walks away with a smile.
I took this photo at a friends house a few months back.