It may be possible to get an idea of different circumstances you could encounter, like your neighbor’s kid stealing your chickens or a ‘friend’ gone bad. But we will not be able to predict how we would react to them, really. Many things will impact our reaction, not the least of which will be both physical and mental state.
I’m not 21 any longer and a hard physical career has left behind its marks. I’m under no illusions now at 68 even though I’m in good health and visit the gym regular. Age and previous injuries have a way of whispering in your ear, “Lets not do that!”. Like the old man in one of Selco’s stories who made himself valuable to others by just passing along information or the one who kept that inoperable museum piece. Perceived power IS power whether its real or not. We just may have to be smarter and go about things a bit differently.