“…it would be like the boxer exiting the ring because he took some punches. Actually, you can leave the boxing ring without consequence, but what advantage would come from abandoning the pursuit of wisdom”
Epictetus
How do you take a punch?
Are you like the boxer described above? Take one body blow and step out of the ring?
Think if every boxer quit each time they got hit?
Boxing would be a boring sport
No boxer would ever become great.
To get better you have to take some punches and this is not a fun experience.
Brace Yourself.
Often a boxer may see the punch coming and get his hands in front of his face. However sometimes a left hook comes out of nowhere and catches him on the jaw.
Like in life you can sometimes see things brewing and get yourself ready, however sometimes, much like a left hook, it comes out of the blue.
An unexpected diagnosis, a job loss, a financial setback, the sudden loss of someone you love.
When life throws a left hook and it connects, it can often drop you to the mat.
Like a boxer your resolve & training will determine if you get up off the mat or roll out the ring.
It is often easier to just say, “Ok that’s it I’m done.”
However, it takes much more courage to pull yourself up and face another round. Sometimes this may mean facing a right hook or it may mean you are now on the offensive firing off a round of 1,2 punches to show life who is in charge.
Absorb the impact
A punch is basically a transfer of force.
The force from one boxers’ glove is being transferred to the face or stomach of the other boxer.
The damage is done when the force is absorbed.
This may result in a jaw rattling, tooth loosening blow.
The thing is at the end of most boxing rounds both boxers typically look like they have seen better days.
But despite being battered and bruised, one person is still the winner.
If you have the perception that life should easy, success does not require work then after round one, you are likely to tap out.
Unlike a boxer who proudly wears his battle scars, we often can’t see how hard life is for others because there are no external signs of the struggle.
As a matter of fact, often the use who struggle the most put on a very glossy, happy exterior.
Swing Back.
If you watch a good boxer he will often left himself take a series of powerful blows to open up an opportunity for him to land a single devastating blow. He understands that, while it’s not fun, there is opportunity in taking some punches as it opens up a better opportunity later.
An opportunity to swing back and maybe win the match.
We should have the same mentality in our lives. Maybe we have to take a series of jobs we don’t like to open the door for job we do like.
Maybe we have to go through some trials with our health, to get us feeling better than we have been.
However, to be successful you have to swing back.
Go All Ten Rounds
Look at life like a boxing match.
You are in it for all ten rounds
You are going to lose some
You are going to win some.
If you tap out early, you are always going to lose
If you hang in until the final bell, you can guarantee that the referee will always raise your hand in victory.
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