I Got this Feeling

That was a great song, wasn't it? Girl, I'm hooked on this feeling, high on believin'... It was a song that just transported you and was pretty catchy in the process. It was a song where the melody and words were easy to remember.

So what does this have to do with self defense you ask? Everything! How many times have you had "a feeling" that something or someone wasn't right and decided to ignore it? Did you compromise your safety in the process?

Guys call it a "gut feeling" and embrace it. You know, trust your gut! For women, it's labeled as "women's intuition" and made fun of as in "over-reacting", "being silly". You get the jist. Unfortunately, the very thing we are told to ignore may be the very signal that keeps us alive and out of harms way.

Our intuition is our lizard (animal) brain's survival instinct. It is a homing beacon for danger and when it picks up a potential signal, it sends out that feeling that says, "something's not right." That should be your cue to remove yourself from the environment or engage your personal protection options to ensure you can deal with whatever is coming your way. In other words, wake up and pay attention!

The more we hone and listen to our intuition, the more precise and accurate it becomes. Don't let your "rationale" mind talk you out of listening to your "animal" brain when it comes to your own personal safety. Pay attention to the feelings you are receiving. They may just save your life some day.

**Angie M. Tarighi is the CEO & Founder of Women’s Self-Defense Institute providing self defense training, education awareness & personal protection products empowering women to fight back against crime.