The Shield - "protection by interception; stopping or redirecting attacks from an aggressor"
A helmet protects my head from injury, a breastplate my chest, and gloves my hands. BUT a shield, while offering protection for one, can be and is used to protect all who trust in its' strength. One shield can protect several; multiple shields joined together protect a mass... or a family.
A family's shield is an aggregation of its' beliefs, in committed allegiance them.
Some examples include:
faith
fatherhood
family communion
morals
values - love, respect, communication, forgiveness, honesty, flexibility...
Awareness is a step towards taking up your shield, but it requires intentionality to actually pick it up... and use it. And, intentionality requires planning.