Good Question

Have you ever unintentionally broken the law?

I think the worst I’ve done is drive a little too fast but I always pull my speed back as soon as I realise. I’m ex emergency services, I know too much to drive like an idiot.

I did once take a book as a very young teenager that I was too embarrassed to admit that I wanted to read. Frankly it shouldn’t have been available to someone of my age, and I was curious – and rather ‘surprised’!

I realised then that I was no criminal, I felt sick for weeks, and I know that incident made me into the honest person I have always been since. I seem to recall leaving some money on the counter ‘accidentally’ a few weeks later.

I did have one bad period at around the same time, but that was anger. My brother is 7 years younger than me, I always had the equivalent of 12 1/2 pence pocket money a week. A decent amount. Dad decided that bro should also have pocket money – at 7, a time I never saw any such thing – so he got 30p, over twice as much. Mum kicked up on my behalf, so my pocket money went up to 30p too. Bro received his each week, I didn’t see another penny pocket money ever.

Not knowing what to do I helped myself. I felt justified, I didn’t have a penny and I was 13. Couldn’t even buy a drink if I was thirsty. Once the anger wore off, again, I hated myself, but talking to them wasn’t an option. By then I was finding second place very difficult and hurtful to deal with.

None of this is pretty but the most important thing you can do if you fall below your own standards is to learn from that and allow it to make you a better person.

I’m so honest I could only take a cat that wasn’t mine if it was clearly being abused. Being a joyful cat lady that demonstrates great integrity.

What? Cats actually stopped me going crazy! 🤣😻

In a way I’m glad I had those two small moments in my life, ultimately they did me good. It still rankles that I did it now, 50-60 years later. And that’s a good thing.

It’s wonderful to learn at an early age that you’re not a criminal.

Modern issues

Are very different now. Young people face things I couldn’t have dreamed of.

To any young person now who may be struggling with the shocking state of our various societies, I would say this:

Don’t let anyone push you down a path that will ruin the rest of your life. Never let anyone else change you. If you know it’s wrong stand firm.

Don’t be in prison in years to come and miss your children growing up, or when your elderly parents are dying and you can’t be there to help, don’t let anyone do that to you.

If you’re scared not to carry a knife see if you can learn a martial art or self defence, you will find that there are instructors helping young people learn to defend themselves in a way that won’t land them in prison. Do an internet search.

Learn well and you will be twice as deadly as anyone with a knife, and have at least a chance of coming out in one piece without a criminal record.

Few can handle an attack from behind, but if they’re coming at you from the front or sides, you’ll be better off without a knife in your hand. Knives are close quarters, legs are not.

Useful story

A black belt once told us that if you’re trapped in an alley with a wall behind you, the wall is your friend. Stand about six feet in front of it, circle as they charge you, and one good push will send them into to the wall, then you run.

This is vital though: There can be no guarantees in a fight, especially one -v- many. I’m saying that there are techniques that can help if you are aware of them.

Take note of the following: in a fight…

• Don’t be there. If there’s a dangerous area, don’t go there. Avoid whenever you can.
• If you can – run. The first rule of being a black belt is run. We’re far from stupid.
• If you feel that you live in a place where you may be attacked, learning self-defence of any kind is a must. Make sure your actions scream defence not attack. Take a knee out and an attacker is not coming after you. There is a way that it will result in an injury and not a permanent one, which is best. But you need an expert to teach you. I’m not putting it in writing. Go find out.

You’re up against way more than my generation ever was, but there is a way to be safer without shifting to the dark side.

Otherwise you could have way more to regret than taking a book, or appropriating your own pocket money.

Regret is no way to live.

Love and prayers that this society starts to give you guys a chance.

Deb xx