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Out of The Myths of Time
Why We Fight

by Lord Darius "Can't beat that with a stick" von Tannenburg

So there I was, standing in line in the shade of the home of a friend who was hosting a nice little Sunday fighter practice. In his front yard. I can only guess what his poor neighbors must have thought as their cozy suburban street was over run by a group of maniacs suited up like extras in some post-apocalyptic movie. I, also, sometimes have to ask myself what I'm doing wrapped in metal and baking like a potato. I was having a bad day. It seemed like I was moving in slow motion and having little success on the field. It would have been easy to say I'm tired and armored down and gone home. But I'm a glutton for punishment, or am I? Each time I lost and/or acquired another bruise, I got back in line. I suppose this would be the place to insert the old saying about "practice makes perfect." But when your brain is boiling away, you don't want to hear it. So why, then? Why do I keep going when a sane man would already be home?

There is a reason. There is something special that happens when you stand in front of an opponent. There is an exchange of courtesies, yes, but also something else. You will exchange blows, of course. Honorable combat and other euphemisms aside, you and your opponent share an opportunity to learn things about yourselves and each other. Lessons not found elsewhere. Many people are legends in their own mind (or so I'm told -- I'm not speaking from experience here), but how often do we get the chance to actually test our mettle without paying dire consequences for being wrong? Fighting gives one an unforgiving look at our physical selves. But it also provides insight into some of the most basic instincts. A look at what's on the inside. Fight, or flight? When challenged do we stand upright and beat our chests, or slink away head bowed? If you have stood there and fought to victory or defeat, you know the answer you would give. It's not really about a pecking order. It's about knowing yourself and your opponent.If you seldom win but keep getting back in line, you know you're not a quitter, you persevere. If you enter a list, and find that you have been paired with a much more seasoned fighter and look forward to the fight, you know you have courage. Do not take a cheap shot when you can, but wait for the clean kill. Never take unfair advantage and you know, and your opponent will know, you have honor. A good match is a place to see much of our true nature. Is it any wonder that is holds such fascination for both participants and spectators? The Romans understood.

I've gone on a bit but I hope I was able to explain in part why I, and presumably many others, do what I do. I'll leave you with a quote from some famous guy who seemed to get it:

It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strongman stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.
Theodore Roosevelt

Darius von Tannenberg has granted permission for all of his articles that were previously on the Dreiburgen web site to continue to appear on the site, 9 Oct 2006.

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