Safety, a basic human right and something
we tend to take for granted. As long as we are safe and sound there is simply
no reason to worry, right?
Why question and bother if things are smooth sailing? I am not necessarily
promoting life in fear and advocating for mistrusting everyone, but sometimes
we tend to be unnecessarily careless with our health, our safety etc.
I just heard the unsettling news from a good friend of mine who lives in LA.
She told me how she was attacked and threatened with a knife recently, but
somehow she fought the attackers off and escaped the whole incident with a few
cuts and bruises. The external scars will disappear with time but that what is
hard to overcome are the invisible injuries; split seconds that may be relived
over and over again.
Those who have ever been in a similar situation know the feeling, myself
included.
I was lucky, very, very lucky.
My assault last year ended with ‘only’ a few bruises and scrapes. The external
wounds eventually healed, but I have never felt as safe anymore and I am always
watchful of my surroundings. I tend to get nervous if people walk too close
behind me and I often increase my pace or cross over to the other side of the
street.
Chances are usually very slim that one will be attacked repeatedly in the same
place but one’s mind is hard to trick into believing the facts.
We learn from mistakes, in fact we are trained to learn from danger, which is
helpful to avoid similar risks.
I wish I was there to help my friend, being familiar with the feeling I can
relate all too well.
Another friend complained recently how his girlfriend would be upset because
she felt he was too over-protective by worrying about her being out late at
night on her own.
I too used to wander around believing nothing would happen to me, as I was
careful, kept a low profile, until…
Me and my friend we were both somewhat lucky, I just feel sad thinking about
those who may have been attacked thereafter by the same perpetrators.
….funny how one never questions things, such as well-being, health, safety,
etc. until the coin flips and we are confronted with the other end of the scale.
