“The champion is the guy who keeps getting up” [Originator unknown to me.]
Such a simple statement, really, yet filled–as such things often are–with lots of material to ponder.
I chose this quote for this Thought for the Day (TFTD) because recent changes in my professional activities left me wondering if I had it in me to get back into the game for another round. As a long-time (over 25 years) “lone eagle”, I’ve learned to rely on my own resources to get motivated. Inspiration for me comes from realizing that no one is going to fight my battles for me, be they personal or professional. I have to keep “getting up” if I am to be my own champion.
Getting up–again!–is not easy. I get tired. I get dispirited. I want someone else to take care of me. There are so many reasons why it would just be comfortable–easy–to stay down o
n the mat, let the ref count me out, and just give up.
But life isn’t easy. It takes work. And more often than not, it means sucking it up, finding the strength to get to one’s feet after a seemingly mortal blow, and diving right back into the fight.
What I found over many, many battles, and many, many knock-downs is that it got easier to get back up. After a while, it became one of my better habits. I don’t even think about it any more: When (not if) I find myself wanting to give up…I don’t. Somehow, I find the strength to continue. There’s no pain; just gain.
Question: What gets you up off the mat after a knockdown?