FIGHT

I don’t know many fighters. However, I do know one. My Mother was the youngest of 11 and affectionately called “Baby Ann”. My mom used to tell us stories of when she was a little girl growing up in Louisiana and all the fights, she would undoubtedly find herself in. Sometimes it was because other kids making fun of “how black” her skin color was, other times it was her sisters egging her on to fight someone they didn’t want to. Now you have to know if you met “Baby Ann” you would find her to be very sweet and pleasant. Yet I still remember as a little boy, her getting mad at someone and saying, “boy, I will kick off my shoes right now and fight them”!

I don’t know how taking off your shoes, makes you a better fighter, but I do know it shifted my Mom’s mindset. What separates those that stand and fight from those who flee, and freeze is the mindset they developed and possess.

Fighters have an internal resolve that says, “I will not let you or anyone beat me”.” I will do whatever it takes to win”. “When it seems you have beat me, I will find a way to get up”. “When it seems, I have lost all weapons to fight with, I will find another resource to come at you with”. When a true fighter knocks you down, they make sure you stay down. That is the attitude of a fighter.

What do you find yourself fighting today? The fights we face can take many forms, whether it’s battling personal setbacks, navigating loss, dealing with health challenges, job loss or economic hardship. All of these fights force us to answer questions about who we are. Do we have what it takes, are we enough, will we survive, what happens if we fail?

Have you ever seen someone punched in the back of the head repeatedly? It is brutal and hard to watch. Imagine that being you. Maybe that is you, getting punched in the back of the head by life. I bet it hurts. No, I know it hurts.

Fighting first starts with turning and facing the battle. Running from a fight is a sure way to never win. Turn and face that hard conversation at work. Turn and face the financial situation that is keeping you up at night, turn and face that addiction that has kept you broken. Turn and face it.

Most times in life, you have to get sick and tired of being sick and tired. Somehow and someway, you have to find the internal resolve to turn and face your fight. Get accountability and tell others you are going to fight. They will help cheer you on when you get knocked down. You have to have that coach, friend or mentor in the corner that can help encourage, challenge, direct, correct and get you back in the fight. Ask for the help you need to fight.  

Les Brown, says “if you get knocked down in life, land on your back so at least you are looking up.” You will get knocked down. You will fall seven times but stand up eight!

In the movie Creed, the star of the movie Adonis is attempting a comeback after getting destroyed and almost dying from a previous fight. In the next fight against the same opponent, Rocky tells Adonis, “when you go up these stairs to step into that ring, you have to remember what you are fighting for. It is the only way you can beat him”.  

Remembering your why is the key to fighting. Remember those you love, they are counting on you to win the fight. Remember your dream, it won’t come true unless you fight. Remember there is a better version of you that will not come about unless you fight.

In life it is often not about the destination, but instead the journey. It is the same with your fight. Yes, you want to win, yes you want the championship belt in whatever you are going after.

However, who you will become in the fight is just as if not more important. You facing your fight will teach that you have the resilience and grit to do hard things. Facing your fight will show you, who is really for you and will be with you through the long haul. The pain and suffering in the fight will forge your character and show you who you really are, the good bad and the ugly.

That sound you hear every morning when you wake up is the bell of life beckoning you to fight. Time to get in the ring and get to work.