Beware of These Three Words

“It’s not personal.”

If ever anyone says this to you, run, in a zigzag pattern so as to avoid the bullets whizzing toward your back.

These words are not being uttered for your benefit. The only reason anyone ever says them is because it is personal. You know it. They know it. But they’re trying to convince themselves that whatever devastating deed they have done, or are about to do, doesn’t make them a bad person.

Here’s the thing. “It’s not personal” is what mob types say to their mark right before they blow the mark’s brains out and dump their lifeless body into the river. Can’t get more personal than that.

So, again, if someone says these three words to you, run, or fight if you think that will save you. The point is to find a way to survive the attack that always follows these three words.

“It’s not personal.” translates as “Ready. Aim. Fire.”