Take The Center or Step Aside

With an oncoming force or an attack, instinct has us fight back or defend. Instead of deflecting, sometimes it’s best to take the center.

In Aikido, there is a technique called irimi. It is a powerful move where you enter a challenging situation instead of stepping aside. It is the quintessential, proactive move. Yet irimi’s are counter intuitive. Moving forward into an attack seems to be contrary to our nature.

Do you remember when Governor, Bill Clinton was asked if he ever smoked ganja? He was on the Arsenio Hall show and had just finished jamming on his sax with the band. Bill was so cool. He lounged in the interviewee’s chair and they were chatting about his younger years in the band.

Blind-sided by the doozy doobie question, “Did you ever smoke marijuana?” Bill Clinton said, “Yes.” He was just being authentic and engaging. Then he froze for a millisecond and followed with, “But I didn’t inhale.” Neither did anyone else in the studio when it came to the oxygen in the studio. An awkward moment hung in the air, then the interview continued.

Immediately after, every single politician across the land was fair game for the same question. Even in Canada. The answer was universal and comical. Every politician scrambled for higher ground. “I would never. No. Absolutely not. I refuse to answer that demeaning question. Why don’t we address the real issues on the voters minds?”

The best answer I heard was by the fun loving Premier of Alberta. Ralph Klein was never known for mincing words. He was direct, unapologetic and a character. When asked if he smoked the wacky tabacky he said, “Yes, but I got so paranoid that I didn’t like it.”

Using irimi in our lives is challenging but essential in those critical defining moments. Irimi-type moves in everyday life are something you can do. If you are attacked at a meeting, blindsided by moody acquaintance or challenged by a situation do not react. Instead, respond.

Immediately decide whether you will take the center or step aside. If you use irimi and take the center, do it with authenticity and truth. Keep judgment and assumptions out of the equation. Then step off the line with humor or harmonious response.

I’ll get plenty of chances to choose irimi or step aside in the next few weeks. When The Age of Speed was launched last year it stirred up a polarized response. The odd review was flat out mean spirited. With a new and improved The Age of Speed being launched in paperback next week, there will be more reviews.

If there happens to be a bad one I’ll either step aside, use irimi or react with a mature and clever quip:

“Oh yeah smarty pants? Well, I know you are. So what am I?” Followed by blowing a raspberry, of course.

Maybe there won’t be any bad reviews and I’m just being paranoid…

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