There is something to be said for not fighting war with war. The whole notion of protesting against war seems to embrace the most common sense thing of all — to counteract it with peace or love. But in today’s climate (pun intended), I believe we need to hit REFRESH when it comes to our strategies. But what does that look like?

I like to think it looks like a Jiu Jitsu move. Jiu Jitsu, like its offsprings Aikido and even Judo, often use the attacker’s force or energy against them. It’s the idea of kicking the tire block away from a car parked on a downhill, and just letting its own momentum carry the car down the hill, crashing in a heap.

For example, when Trump name calls her “Nervous Nancy”, a Jiu Jitsu move might be Ms. Pelosi replying, “Your exactly right. I’m nervous about you.” She happens to be quite good at that.

Learning to use the attacker’s own force against them is extraordinarily powerful. Used effectively, a 90 pound, 65 year old woman can submit a 250 pound, 30 year old man with surprising ease.

So, the way I look at these things is less about fighting apples with apples, and more about adopting a strategy that leverages a more powerful opponent’s energy against them. It’s a smarter way to battle an overwhelming force.

In Jiu Jitsu, you learn that you shouldn’t meet force with force. Rather, meet force with something that force can’t comprehend.