Ashes...

Finished my training session today…quite an interesting one indeed. My coach, Chris along with my Strength conditioning coach, Paul has been guiding through my life inside the ring. Not only did they taught be how to box in the ring, they taught me to how take care of myself outside the ring. After an intense workout, they took time out to hear my recent struggles. When it was their time to give feedback, they drew many examples of their life experiences; the struggles and triumphs. “It requires less character to discover the faults of others, than to tolerate them…and talents are best nurtured in solitude while character is best formed in stormy billows for that’s what defines who we are. We cannot dream ourselves into a character but we must hammer and forge ourselves into one.” And lastly, my coach mentioned that “reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God knows of us.” My coach tells me he has a gift for me. He takes off his necklace and hands it to me and says. “this is my lucky charm, I want you to have it, it’s going to be like your guardian angel on your shoulder and when you’re down, it’s gonna whisper in your ear…its gonna say “Get up...Chris loves you!”…go after him kid.” I looked at the necklace and smiled and thanked him for it. Afterwards my coach had important matters to attend to, so he left me in charge of teaching his beginner boxing class. Surprisingly, the class was made up of 80% girls. After teach them some basics and giving them a punishing workout, a few of the girls approached me and asked…

Girls: I heard you’re competing in Florida?

Me: Ya

Girls: That’s so cool. Don’t you guys take a lot of pain and punches in the ring???

Me: Yea and I train to increase my pain threshold.

Girls: If it hurts so much, aren’t you scared??? Then why do you still continue competing???

Me: Number one cuz I love it…and its not about how hard you get hit…cuz no one hits harder than life…its about how hard you get hit and how much you can take and keep moving forward…that’s how winning is done… Maybe I like the pain…because without it, maybe I just wouldn't feel that it’s real.

Girls: So why do you guys still keep hitting yourselves so hard during your sparring sessions?

Me: Cuz it feels so good when I stop. ;)

Girls: *laughs* Interesting…I’m coming here to train every Saturday from now on instead of Fridays. Cya next week!

Damn it’s getting late…gotta sleep soon for my early morning runs…and still have one last exam left with fight night just around the corner. As I crawl into my cozy bed, I repent for all that I took for granted and thank God for putting such great and supportive people in my life that inspired me to be better…I pray that I’ll be a better man and above all…I pray God will protect me from my pride….