Training Day

[H2O Man]

“Champions aren't made in gyms. Champions are made from something deep inside – a desire, a dream, and a vision. They have to have the skill and the will. But the skill must be stronger than the skill.....

“Everyone wins and everyone loses every now and again. If we didn't experience a loss we would never know what we are capable of. The important thing to remember is: You didn't really lose when you fight for what you believe in. You lose when you fail to fight for what you care about.....

“What counts in the ring is what you do after you're exhausted. The same is true of life. Outrun the people who quit when they feel discomfort; outrun the people who stop because of despair; outrun the people who are delayed because of prejudice; outrun the people who surrender to failure; and outrun the opponent who loses sight of the goal. Because if you want to win, the will can never retire, the race can never stop, and faith can never weaken,”
--Muhammad Ali; Soul of a Butterfly

I was re-reading The Champ's 2004 book of “reflections on life's journey” earlier this week, as I sat in the waiting room of a hospital in Cooperstown, NY. Although it is a village best known for the sport of baseball, I found myself remembering many years ago, when I had boxed on a card held on Doubleday Field. The referee had, not long before, challenged Joe Frazier for the heavyweight title; although he had the misfortune to meet “Smokin' Joe” in his prime, that loss would still be the highlight of Ziggy's boxing career.

I had not been scheduled to fight that night. I was there to work the corners of a couple friends who were fighting. I hadn't done the training necessary to compete at that time. However, when I saw the opportunity to go against one of the better fighters from Syracuse, even though he was in a higher weight class, I knew that I'd kick his behind. Easily.

That didn't happen. I lost a close decision in an uneventful fight. I didn't get hurt, but I wasn't in “fight shape,” and couldn't catch up to my opponent. I did, however, benefit from the experience in the long-term: I learned not to take anything for granted in the competitive sport of boxing, and to never enter the ring less than fully prepared.

As I sat in that hospital waiting room, I knew that I would be heading to a high school sporting event in the evening. Small town high school sports may sound small time to some, but I really enjoy the opportunity to attend these events. The young people from the school my daughters attend often take the time to talk to this old man. And, even though it violates the school's policy, the coaches don't mind if I get up from my front-row seat, and sit with the players on the sideline, and help them focus on the task at hand. Parents don't mind, because I'm helping their sons and daughters. (The only people who tell me I'm not supposed to do this are my own daughters.)

That night, although our team was down by a score of 15 to 0 at the end of the first quarter, they came back to win.

Just as these young people can learn from Ali's message, so can we. More, we can learn from those young folks who were down 15-0, and didn't give up. They didn't allow themselves to become discouraged, to feel despair, to surrender to failure, or to lose sight of their goal.

It's the same dynamic in the fight for social justice, which includes the realm of politics. In the 2006 elections, we had some good wins. In 2008, we had an impressive victory. But in 2009, many of us assumed that we had realized change we could believe in. Yet change requires constant struggle. It can be built upon yesterday's victories, but those past accomplishments will fade if we do not continue to fight in the here and now.

Political campaigns and elections are but one part of the larger struggle. Those elected officials in Washington are not the answers to all of our problems. They cannot, and will not, bring about social justice on their own. They are kind of like the referees at a high school basketball game, always running around, making calls that are sometimes accurate, sometimes fair, and often neither.

Even the “experts” in Washington note that one of the biggest problems is that once a politician is elected, he or she will then begin to focus on their strategy for re-election. Including fund-raising. Because they are always running.

Ali is correct: we need to be in condition to outrun them. Because if we want to win, as The Champ says, we can never retire, the race can never stop, and our resolve can never weaken.

Peace to all,
H2O Man

[rurallib]

1. So true. We knew when Obama (and sens and reps) were elected

we would have to push them.

[H2O Man]

4. Yep.

The only good things that we can count on them to do -- other than for their own -- is by means of democratic pressure. We need to push them in the correct direction. In many cases, that means pushing them off the stage.

[Dogmudgeon]

2. Most of us were ready to quit after the first week

Today, the clamor of petulance-and-defeat has drowned out the commitment to stay in the fight until it's over. That's the real tragedy of the post-WW2 Left: we almost get there, then we quit.

EVERY book "success", from the most vulgar get-rich-quick tomes to sublime works like the Champ's hammer home one lesson: PERSIST. The message falls on deaf progressive ears mainly because it has been used as a way to motivate the serfs to work harder for the gentry. It is time that we took it back.

You may also enjoy this 3 1/2 minute TED talk: http://www.ted.com/talks/richard_st_john_s_8_secrets_of_success.html">Richard St. John's 8 Secrets of Success

Outstanding post -- thanks!

--d!

[H2O Man]

6. Thank you.

The "Good Fight" is long and often difficult. It involves constant struggle. And it is, as you note, an effort that requires that we persist. Even when we are tired.

There are times when we make believe that it would be easier to quit. But in fact, it is far harder to face the consequences of quitting.

[stevedeshazer]

3. I appreciate your message.

Never give up.

[H2O Man]

7. Thanks, Steve!

I think that after the 2008 election, too many good people assumed that the victory meant that we could sit back, and trust the people elected to represent us to do the correct things. We can't count on them. And when we sit back, it creates an opportunity for our opposition to exercise their influence.

There was a great energy across the nation in '08. But in '09, there was a void, and the dark forces of republicans, corporate interests, and hateful ignorance seeped in. It filled that void. Now, we need to get back to business.

[JonLP24]

5. So correct

The Ali quote. It can be used in all aspects in life whether that's sports training, vying for a promotion, job searching, and as you mentioned, the fight for social justice. K&R

[H2O Man]

8. Yep.

Ali is a wise man. He is no longer the brash, loud young man that so many of us remember fondly. His voice is softer, but it is very important for society to listen to him.

[Me.]

9. You Deserve All Your Hearts

[H2O Man]

10. Well, I've got

a bleeding heart. Plus some old Jimi Hendrix albums.

[H2O Man]

11. Ali

Last night, my son went to an amateur boxing card at the Turning Stone Casino, near Oneida, NY. We had been planning to attend, as we always do. However, my health did not allow me to go.

My son called me during the fights, to keep me updated. He and a couple of friends had a good time. I was happily surprised when he brought me three of the International Boxing Hall of Fame's 2010 t-shirts, honoring Muhammad Ali.

If you are interested, they can be ordered at:
www.ibhof.com

This year's induction ceremonies will be held from June 10 - 13. It's going to be a heck of a weekend. My friend Mickey Ward will be there, autographing copies of his biography. I believe that the author of the new book on Sugar Ray Robinson will be sharing a booth with Mickey.