Turn The Other Cheek, Give Em Your Wallet, Run Away, Or . . .

The 25 year old martial arts student was running late to his fiancé’s surprise birthday party when he realized he had forgotten to get her a card. Joseph had bought her a beautiful necklace, one that cost more than a thousand dollars but had forgotten that ever important birthday card. … Continue Reading Continue reading

Running, Walking, the Great Outdoors and Those Who Would Kill Us-How to Survive

The morning sun was starting to rise over the Arizona Mountains as Gwyneth glanced out of her bedroom window while slipping into running shorts. Her morning anticipation was kicking in for her connection with nature. The fit 27 year old ran 6 mornings a week, ran the same route, and … Continue Reading Continue reading

Yuppies, Hipsters, Wannabes and Dorks

Who really rules? Who rocks it in satisfaction, contentment and happiness? Is it the Yuppies? The term used to stand for Young Urban Professionals but has strayed in definition to someone who not only is doing well financially, but is all about money and status—the epitome of cool. Are they … Continue Reading Continue reading

Date Rape & More—Women Taking Charge: A Guide to Violent Attack Survival–Part 1—Avoidance

26 year old Victoria wanted to unwind. She hadn’t had a decent date since her divorce a year ago so she and Gayle, her old-friend, decided to go to a party they heard about on Facebook. When they arrived at a crowded house party in a so-so neighborhood, they didn’t … Continue Reading Continue reading

Do it like a Boss—Life’s Perils and Us

The sky was a hazy baby-blue as I sat at the edge of my Northeastern Ohio pond. Spring had just sprung and I was as content as a Mississippi bullfrog on a lily pad. The harsh ice-filled Ohio winter had been a tough one and had damaged and killed countless … Continue Reading Continue reading

Find the Real You, Again

A few years ago I wrote a funny article about being a class clown in elementary school and a nun who tried to keep me on the straight and narrow. https://www.thesimplekeys.org/2015/03/06/sister-mary-warrenone-bad-ass-nun/?fbclid=IwAR2l2VNFXsNWx6IhcWoaleTAby-xrK3crPnDiE_rk5c69flU1sjXkeK2LBg The article got a good response but when I found a Facebook group having to do with my elementary … Continue Reading Continue reading

Have You Ever Been on Queer Street?

Some of you saw this articles headline and may have thought, not me, I’ve never been to Queer Street! Some others may have thought well, yeah, I’ve been there, but it’s nobody’s business! Others yet, may have thought, sure, and I’m proud of it! But enough of joking around, that’s … Continue Reading Continue reading

Dying To Talk But Too Afraid—Learn How to Be A Great Speaker

The twelve year-old boy sat down in the barber’s chair and started to feel uncomfortable. He was alone with an adult human being who was sure to talk to him while he cut his hair. His hands started to sweat knowing that he simply couldn’t talk with the man, one-on-one, … Continue Reading Continue reading

Brick, Mortar, Martial Arts and Bowing

My father, an Eastern European immigrant, was involved in the martial arts back before most knew much about it. One evening, while walking through woods to get home, he was attacked by three robbers. Surprisingly to the robbers, he kicked two of their butts and had the third one running … Continue Reading Continue reading

So, How Do You Avoid Getting Punched?

When you’ve tried everything you can do to avoid a physical confrontation but punches start raining in on you anyway, there are two good ways to combat them. The first way is by getting out of the punches range. You might say, duh, no fooling Steve, of course staying out … Continue Reading Continue reading

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