There was a post I read while back…and it sort of stuck with me.  I can’t remember who wrote it and posted it, and for the life of me, I cannot find it again.  It’s a shame as it really stayed with me.

It read like a Drill Sergeant barking orders at raw recruits and went something like this…

“Who do Boxers fear?  NO ONE!  And why is that? 

Because 1 punch can change the world!

And who is afraid of Boxers? 

EVERYONE!

And why is that?

Because 1 punch can change the world!”

It’s not exactly Shakespeare (if anyone remembers who said it is, please comment below and let me know) but it really resonated with me.  It got me thinking, but more importantly, got me doing…

Now, let me put this is context for you…the article or blog or whatever it was, went on to say how one should always learn the basics of a combat sport or a martial art, because one never knows when one would need to defend oneself in real life.

It further went on to illustrate that Taekwondo or Karate (any martial art that employs the feet in kicking or blocking) is not really a good idea in a street fight.  The reason for this was simple… as a kicker, might not always be barefoot and/or on a surface conducive to kicking.  Simply put, you could slip and land flat on your ass without your enemy so much as touching you.  It further went on to say that most streets fights are not the long-winded, grueling ‘slug-fest’ you see in movies.  Most street fights are over before they have even begun…and they are ended with one or two well placed knock-down blows!

And those blows, yup, you guessed it, are PUNCHES!

So, I would advocate everyone learning the basics of boxing.  Why?  Because, dear readers…if all you are going to do…IF ALL YOU ARE ABLE TO DO, is punch…make sure you can do it very well!

In a street fight, there are no rules, no levels; no bells to say when you are done…and no referee – so if you only get to throw one punch, make it count!

And once again, Boxing being huge metaphors for life…let us break this down into a daily concept – something to take on and adapt to one’s life and one’s lifestyle.

These days I find so many people, with so many grand ideas.  And you ALL know someone.

People who say…

”You know, when I get some money, I’ll…”

“Or I know I need to do this; but…”

Or my personal favorite…

“You know, I don’t have the time…”

How many times have you heard this?  How many times have YOU, yourself said this…to yourself?  How many times have you laid the blame on someone else for life’s failures?  And I, myself am also guilty of this…on far too many levels.

I am not saying take responsibility for everything that has ever gone wrong in your life.  There are indeed times when people will screw you over…and it has happened to all of us.

What I am saying is this…

Admit to YOURSELF when YOU have made a mistake or an error.

Then, make amends where you can to those you have wronged.

Vow to try and change your ways so it does not happen again.  Then move on.

I am the first to acknowledge that it is not always that easy, but let us face it…the way most of us have been brought up…it is always someone else fault!  Never our own.  Have you all noticed that?

I was always told to be the ‘Bigger Person’ and for a time I never fully understood what that meant.  I do now…bigger people admit their mistakes and apologize for them.  That is one of their many traits.  (Maybe a future blog post here  )

The point of this…

Yes, you may have dreams and goals that you can’t do at the moment due to lack of time, or money or whatever.  You can however lay the plans…do something towards the end goal.  This was brought home to me this week.  I want to finish my guest house and furnish the rooms.  Money being what it is, I cannot afford to buy the furniture and finish the rooms.  I can however do some groundwork like…hang the curtain rails and tie back hooks? I can also start pricing for the curtains I need or the furnishings I need?

Break any job that seems daunting down into sever small jobs and tick them off…do what you can when you can, and sooner than you know, you will be further along the path to achieving your goal…whatever it may be.  

Lastly, if you ever get downhearted and depressed – and it will happen.

STOP.  Breathe and take a look back at how far you come…take inspiration from what you HAVE already done, then continue!

Anyway, let me sign off with a few inspirational lines from another Rocky movie…

This is the scene from Rocky 6 where his son is being a bit of jerk to him for taking another fight at his age…

Here is the scene

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_Vg4uyYwEk

Here is the dialogue.

“Let me tell you something you already know.

The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows.

It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life.

But it ain’t how hard you hit; it’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done.

Now, if you know what you’re worth, then go out and get what you’re worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hit, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you are because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain’t you. You’re better than that!”

Until next time…remember…

Don’t wait!  Get up and do…