07 Dec Flashback:Underdog
ExhaustTheBody.ProceedTheMind.CultivateTheSpirit.
We sweat. We Bleed. Sometimes we even cry. The pursuit of performance is taking athletes and enthusiasts around the world to new levels of sacrifice.
In this day and age, with new discoveries in modern science with nutrition, sports, and health and fitness, serious athletes are educating themselves and working smarter and harder at every edge for an upper hand over the opposition.
Some people do it for the thrill of competition, the glory of victory; Some do it for physical fitness. But what about the people involved in sport that dont ever seem to win, people who never compete, or people who cant seem to achieve personal goals because of bad scheduling, bad genetics, or a lack of access to available resources. These are the people that never had their hand raised in victory, never stood on a pedestal, never received a medal, or even a pat on the back for a job well done. What keeps us going?
The competition is only getting better as we are getting older. The guys who were schooling us yesterday are getting schooled today and that winning pedestal we’ve been dying to stand on seems to be getting further and further. Do we shrink from the challenge or rise to the occasion?
The hard-fought path to victory or even unvictory brings value and merit far beyond medals or trophies . Diligent training, perseverance, and the conscious will to improve take us to new and previously unimaginable levels in not only body but more importantly in mind and in effect, spirit. Realizing this teaches us that the victory over ourselves can be as important as, if not more so, than victory over others.
So for those of us who aren’t the best at what we do, Lets bring to the spotlight,
the discipline to be discovered in sacrifice, the commitment to find in goal-setting, and the humility to be blessed with in defeat.
Some of us may never be the best , but hard training, diligence, and sacrifice brings harvest for both winners and losers. It is important that we see, appreciate, and celebrate the spirit, in victory or defeat, we cultivate through self-perseverance.
Everything seems to be so competitive today. Remarkable super athletes seem to be growing on trees. They are genetically gifted, naturally talented, well-trained, focused, and financially funded. They have managers, fitness and nutrition consultants, they diet, take supplements and get proper rest and recovery. And for some, this is just high school.
Realize that the number of Champions far outnumbers the number of participants. The odds truly stand against us. True, there is great value to become part of this elite, and there are also great lessons found in victory over others but ultimately it’s the path to and the commitment and sacrifice to get to that destination, that eventually can reveal to be, in itself, the greatest destination.
The majority of us might never become champions. The majority of us might never get famous for all the hours and days and years of sacrifice and commitment. Some of us might never even win a match, a game, a contest, etc…But don’t let this deny you fruits of hard labor.
The opposition is working really hard today to deny you of the win. But remember Ultimately, only you can deny yourself self-victory. Work hard. Train like a Madman. Reap the fruits that you sew.
Exhaust the Body. Proceed the Mind. Cultivate the Spirit.