A boxer will throw a lot of jabs before they ever get a cross in. They know that the jabs themselves aren’t going to win the fight but serve to lay the groundwork for the knock-out punch that’s coming. Jab-Jap-Cross. Soften them up them, then deliver in the big one.
A battle for a noble cause might be won in a lot less rounds, too, if we built a door before we smashed against the brick wall of the status quo. Running into brick walls can be painful and returning bloodied from a noble battle that you didn’t win might make you feel like you made a difference, but did you really?
If “luck happens when preparation meets opportunity,” as the old saying goes, why are we still trying to win the lottery? Why do we think that the knockout punch will land just because we want it to?
Tenderize! Set up your next move. You don’t always have bite into the toughest part of life, soften things up. Get out of the all or nothing mindset. Engage in dialogue, seek for understanding, save your pennies – do the work. Be patient – your chances will come (if you create them).
Just stop bashing your head against the wall. With a little patience and persistence, you can win the fight, too.
PS. Thanks to Sifu Cass for his inspiration and wisdom.