Still Fighting E-Book

Bamidele Emmanuel

• Herausgeber: Publiseer
• Kategorie: Abenteuer, Thriller, Horror
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2018

Beschreibung

'Still Fighting' is an inspirational literary fiction about Joe whose parents went out of the village to a city to avoid being banished by the king as a result of his troublesome lifestyle.
Joe found a career in professional boxing and was popularly known as 'Still Fighting' because of his unprecedented display of enthusiasm and the chanting of 'Still Fighting' after either winning or losing a fight in the ring.
Joe soon became the toast of the media all over the world with increasing number of fans. He became a brand ambassador to a number of corporate firms.
While granting an interview on the day of his retirement from his boxing career, he discovered a previously hidden ability in him to become a motivational speaker and success coach by telling inspiring stories.
His stand against oppression, corruption, human right abuse, and perversion of justice prompted him to defend a helpless victim of a uniformed man and thus floated 'Still Fighting Foundation' as a platform to fight against gross misconduct in the society.

Leseprobe

Still Fighting

By

Emmanuel Bamidele

Copyright © 2018 by Emmanuel Bamidele.

For more information about the author, write to the author from: [email protected].

All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part, in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the author or the publisher.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

About The Author

About The Book

Chapter 1

Joe was a boxer that once lived in Oron city. He was widely recognized as “Still Fighting”. Each time he fights on the ring and loses the fight, and the referee declares his opponent the winner, he would grab the microphone from the referee booming with a statement that soon became his slogan; “Not a looser, but still fighting.” He would step out of the ring with great enthusiasm and motivation as one that won the fight. He would excitedly throw punches into the air while walking through the crowd to the changing room. His opponents usually look on with so much astonishment, while the spectators look at him with surprise. Virtually everyone almost forgot Joe as his actual name which was soon replaced with the nickname “Still Fighting”.

He became a toast of the media. So much attention was given him during each fight. The spectators have fallen desperately in love with him such that when walking up to the ring the crowd cheers and chant with intensity “Still Fighting, Still Fighting, Still Fighting....” The atmosphere always become very charged for his sake to the extent that his opponent would become intimidated, and at times the fight will not last beyond the first round before he wins.

Joe soon became the face of many cooperate organizations because whether he loses a fight or wins does not make any difference anymore. The boxing association took advantage of his growing popularity to increase tickets fares to enter the boxing arena to reduce the crowd that his fights command.

One day, a veteran journalist posed a question to him after his fight for the day in which he lost.

The journalist said, “Why do you still display so much enthusiasm after losing a fight? I need you to explain to me because this has never happened before in the history of boxing.” 

Joe replied, “Very soon, I have to fight against a world heavy weight champion, afterwards I will disclose the reason for my attitude that birthed the slogan “Still Fighting.”

Other boxers gradually avoid fighting with him on the ground that whether he loses or wins a fight, he carries the day with the intense chanting of his slogan “Still fighting.” What his contenders get at the end of winning each fight against him, are the belt and the raising up of their hands by the referees. 

On the day of his fight with the world heavy weight boxer, he lost the fight. The veteran journalist stepped into the ring asking him to fulfill his promise by telling the whole world what prompted his ideological approach to life on the ring even when he loses; while the media outfits are also on standby to broadcast the interview live.

Joe answered, “Still fighting was born out of my understanding of the fact that this life is like a boxing ring where most people sets out for a cause or project with the aim to succeed or win. In case you lose or you are yet to succeed, in other to stay on top of your dreams and aspirations, don’t ever see yourself as a failure or looser; but rather that your dreams and aspirations are still in progress. It means that you can always come back to try again and again until it’s all over. This is my belief; this is the reason why I always believe that the fight is still on-going.  The moments you agree that you have failed, then you have truly failed. It all starts from our mind. It doesn’t matter how many times you have failed, I still maintain a strong position that you are not a failure until you agree in your mind that you have failed. How you see yourself really matters. Still fighting is the phrase I choose in other to stay motivated and inspired on the ring. I programmed it in my mind to remain on top of the likely negative sides of life that I may find myself.

Let me also use this as an example to buttress my disposition. In a football game, everyone involved are there to win. We all agreed that the winner is the highest goal scorer at the end of ninety minutes and possibly extra time allocation. If side A has scored three goals while side B is yet to score any goal, does that mean side B has lost the match and that side A has won? Not yet, so long that the ninety minutes has not lapsed and possibly the extra time. Side A can only be declared winner when or if side B conceded defeat at the end of the ninety minutes. If a player lost a goal attempt, does that mean that the player has lost or automatically disqualified from the match? Again, the answer is no! The match is in progress likewise, I see every fight to achieve a goal as a match. I can still win today the fight I lost yesterday or win tomorrow the fight I lost today, because it’s a fight in progress. I’m “Still Fighting”. I am still within the ninety minutes, I haven’t quitted yet, therefore, winning is still possible.

In anything you are doing, don’t get demoralized when you lose today. Prepare for a good come back so long you are still within the ninety minutes of either your career or life. If I have not quit, then I have not failed.

Let me put it to you this way, “Having lost the fight on the ring does not make you a looser until you lose the fight in your mind”. Fight is still in progress when the fight is on-going in your mind. Before you can agree to quit a cause wherein you failed, it means you have agreed in your mind that you have failed. Whatever a man thinks about himself that is who he is. If anyone calls you a failure, tell them you haven’t failed because you haven’t quitted. 

Also know that within the ninety minutes of play, after the first forty-five minutes, you are given fifteen minutes to rest. The fifteen minutes is necessary to rest your head. It’s necessary to reform and reinforce yourself. It’s a time of reflection on your performance to know if you have done well and note areas where there are lapses. These are what you get from your coach or through your own reflection. It’s a fifteen minutes of retreat for a better comeback and not surrendering. It’s a fifteen minutes to re-strategize. Fifteen minutes with success coach, inspirational speaker or counselor in your field.  Fifteen minutes with those with wealth of experience in your field. A proverb says, “If you must know how the journey is ahead, ask from those returning from there.” Fifteen minutes of laughter and fun to unwind your mind. As boxers, we are treated for a better comeback after each round. Our coaches or managers also make us know our opponent’s weak and strong points. Always get treated, if you must win. We may not be bodily weak but can be emotionally and psychologically weak. Get to unwind for effective performance.  What you get from your coaches, managers and fans are feedback. You don’t get feedback during active time but during your break.

I also play the game of draft, and I have come to observe and understand that those watching are better informed of your opponent’s strategy than you the player. You can have their opinion during your break. It leads to distraction when comments are made during active playing time and in the game of draft it is an offence. Under- performance or failure are inevitable when distraction sets in.

“How do you make use of your break?” the journalist asked. Joe said I make use of my break to study my opponent’s new strategies. I have come to agree as a competing force that I don’t need to place my strategy on what I discovered previously about my opponent. When offensive strategy changes; the defensive strategy has to change. My competitors know that I must have studied their strategies, they may therefore, come up with a new one. I also know that my competitors must have studied my strategies, therefore during my break; I try to come up with a new offensive strategy to stay on in my career.

The journalist said, “What a precious time we had with you today. Today will leave a lasting memory in the heart of those listening to or watching this interview. This has gone beyond just an interview but a life transforming teaching session.

This day revealed a hidden and untapped aspect of your life in area of success coaching and inspirational speaking. Sir, if you will agree with me, this is an avenue to better impact people lives and destinies after your career on the ring. Permit me to ask you this question sir. How did you feel after losing the fight against the world heavyweight champion? 

Joe answered, “You just asked, how I felt after losing the fight against the world heavy weight champion, and not that you called me a looser. Well, I don’t feel bad or have any sense of regret about how today’s fight ended. As for me, I can only feel any sense of regret if I never prepared well for the fight. I don’t feel regret for not having my way in any of my aspirations. To engage the world heavyweight champion is a dream come through. 

Always prepare adequately well for any opportunity, but when you lose it or miss it, don’t feel regret neither get demoralized. Hope for another if there be any. You simply position yourself to loose in several others when you get demoralized as a result of the one you lost. As they say, “Life goes on,” likewise fight goes on. You lose some and you win some. Take the one you lose now in good faith to get fit for the fight ahead.

The journalist asked, “Sir is today’s fight your last fight?

Joe said,” Let me put it to you this way that today’s fight is likely to be my last fight on the ring and not my last fight in life. You should have asked, is today’s fight your last on the ring? As long as life exists, fight exists. A fight to make sure that all you have worked for do not go down the drain in your life time. It may be a fight for a just and sane society or a fight against oppression, corruption and perverted elements of our society. It may also be a fight to keep your achievements growing. Believe it or not, every pursuit in life is a fight.”

The journalist said, “Thank you for that correction.  I agree with you that I should have asked if today’s fight is your last fight on the ring. In response to my question you said, “It is likely to be my last fight on the ring” Does it mean that you are not decided yet?”

Joe answered, “Of course, I did determined that before today’s fight with the world heavyweight champion that I was going to make the surprise announcement of my decision to end my boxing career during the interview scheduled for today on the ring. I intend to do that as my last word in today’s interview, but you intercepted my plan with your question. I have not disclosed my intention to anyone, if I have, I would have thought someone revealed it to you. Maybe you are a mind reader. Now to your question if am not sure of my decision to end my boxing career today. I am sure, but the word “likely” is put as a clause for boastful challengers and for me as a fighter, I dare challenges. Daring and creating challenges has always been the factor that keeps me going and in high spirit. For this reason when I am not challenged, I choose to create one. Therefore, I hoped not to be challenged beyond a bearable measure.”

“In that case, what will you do sir?” the journalist asked.

“I would have no choice than to kit up and get into the ring” Joe said.

The journalist asked, “What if it’s a younger and stronger boxer challenging you?”

“Well, if need be he will have to fight me in proxy,” Joe said. 

“That really sounds funny and mysterious.  Can you break it down for us.” the journalist said. 

“Let me tell you about something different about fights between older and younger generations; the older generation uses experience while the younger ones use strength. Experience saves time and stress. I would choose a boxer equal to him in strength and give him fantastic offer and techniques to handle him for me. If the person wins, I win and if he loses I also lose. Nevertheless, we are not losers but fighters. We can still win.” said Joe.

The crowd chanting the slogan, “Still fighting, still fighting... the journalist had to scream into the microphone waving to the crowd to control them. When the crowd finally calmed down, the journalist asked Joe if he would like to take snacks.

Joe said, “Asking me if I was going to take snacks means that you are not ready to consider me to take rest after a tough fight with the world heavyweight champion today”.

The journalist said, “Several millions of your fans will be missing your face on the ring, missing your passion and charisma. On a day like this, you need to show your fans around the world how much you appreciate them. I think you will agree with me that on those people’s wings and shoulders you ridden. They gave us reasons to pay attention to you; I mean special attention from us the media. They won recognition for you in the corporate, professional and the manufacturing world. On their shoulders you were carried to the frontline standing before the great and influential people.  Even though you are not the best boxer, but you are the wealthiest, the most popular and the most celebrated boxer in the history of boxing; courtesy of these people watching and listening to this interview from different parts of the world.

Information reaching me now said that most people stayed glued to their television and radio, abandoning their businesses. So many activities virtually came to stand still just because of you; meaning, so much sacrifice has been made for you today sir. I hope you would do the same”.

Joe responded, “I owed my achievement to God and to my fans on whose shoulders I actually rose to stardom.  There is no amount of sacrifice I can make today to repay your commitment and support for me. You are mine and I am yours. Until you all leave here today, I will not leave. Today’s interview has really made me discover a hidden part of me; the ability to inspire and to impart knowledge. I am leaving the ring today to become a success coach and inspirational speaker. Meaning, I am not going into silence. I would not have discovered and come to term with this part of me if not because of this interview and the journalist remarks and questions. For example, he asked me for the reason behind my still fighting slogan. I promised to grant the interview today, the interview has finally set a new path for me, a new challenge, a new career, a new fight and a new pursuit. Thank you, sir”.

The journalist responded, “It’s a great privileged for me to anchor this interview.  It’s the most ground breaking interview I have ever anchored. Though I have interviewed several influential personalities but this is unique. This has brought me to the limelight and I believe it has set a new challenge and a new fight for me; a fight to manage this new level of popularity and to cope with several opportunities that this stardom will bring.  This interview has launched me to a reach of an audience that beats mine imagination since it is a live broadcast. Already, my social media handles and blog visits has suddenly gone up. Thank you too Mr. Joe or is it Still Fighting?”

Joe said, “Life produces life, hope produces hope.  You are privileged through the privilege you gave me. It’s a lesson I have learned a long time ago in my life that in doing others favors, you are simply doing yourself a favor. No man is all in all. We are made to rely on others and others to rely on us. Everyone with a dream goal needs goal posts to realize his dream goal. Goal posts are essential for every dream goal. If we must carefully assess this point, we will discover that someone serves as a link or platform for you to realize your dream goal, and you too for others, directly or indirectly. Let me use the social media platforms as an example. They were founded needing people to realize their dream goal; likewise people see these platforms as a means to realize their dream goals. The dream goals include linking up with lost friends and acquaintances and introduction of their products, goods and services to the rest of the world.  With their strength of knowledge, they broke the wall that separated the world. They have become goal posts where many people’s dream goals have been realized.

Place value on everyone that works with you or for you. They are your goal posts or likely goal posts for your dream goal. To make your dream goal a reality, you must locate your goal posts. It means that there is a goal post location for every dream goal. Goal posts aren’t meaningful yet without a dream goal so also dream goal isn’t meaningful without goa [...]