Life is either a daring adventure or nothing

Make or Break - It's your choice!

Many times our confidence and focus in life will always be on specific talents or giftings that we are good in. For example, if i am really talented and good in soccer... my focus and confidence will be placed upon soccer and how well i can excel in it. And if i am a talented scholar in my studies, naturally i would find my confidence there in being able to do well for tests and exams, always finishing a cut above the common level.

However, has it ever occured to us what would happen if one day, for unexplainable reasons, we fail to do well?

What if one day you played and fought really hard in every soccer game, but just keep losing every match?

What if you studied hard for your exams, but outcome was you didn't do well... your grade dropped from A1 to B3?

Do you feel that your world has just crumbled down?

I was chatting with a couple of youths these past few days... One of them, a school soccer player, was badly injured in a match and won't be able to play for the remaining of this soccer tournament nor even in the coming months. He was the top scorer in the team and easily the better players around who could turn the game around for the team. Now he was left to sitting by the sideline watch his team slump into defeats after defeats. He felt sucky about himself... was very upset and wanted to give up soccer because of the injury. He became depressed, angry with anyone who asked him about his recovery, and his studies went downhill too! The world around this young boy was collaspsing ... he told me this, "Don't bother about me.. i am a useless cripple now, leave me alone...."

I spent a long time talking to this boy, but he just wouldn't listen, so i left him and let him be by himself. Saddens me to know that at such a young age, and with great future ahead, he chose to give up on himself and choose not to pick himself up. His confidence in his soccer talent had become a comfort zone for him... and when that comfort zone was taken away from him... he was lost and didn't know how to react. And the seemingly easiest way out was to run away. But does running away solve the problem? NO.. he merely avoid the problem but didn't overcome it... and in the process abandoned his dream of becoming a world class soccer player.

Many times we are just like that too... when our confidence has been blown up, we are distraughted, lost and feel as if all hope is lost. But i choose to believe otherwise.. life is always full of problems. What matters most is NOT how big or small the problems are, but rather our attitude and how we overcome the problem that matters! We have two options: (1) Face problems, give up, escape and forever become like a "coward", or (2) Press in, never say die, persevere... whatever the outcome, you are a "Hero" already. One who chooses to persevere and not give up, this shows CHARACTER IN DEPTH. Your Attitude will determine your Altitude in life. That's a true Hero in life.

Easier said than done? Well.. i just recovered from a bad ankle injury where i suffered torn ligament. It was bad for me because i played soccer alot and had plans of running the 42km marathon this year end. And when the injury hit me, i was very upset with myself for being careless and wanted to give up on my dreams of the marathon and hang up my soccer boots. If i had chosen that path, i will always be having the give-up attitude whenever i face problems! So i challenged myself to go proper rehabilitation and signed up for sports physiotherapy. 4 months since then... i am well, up and running again! The journey of rehabilitation was tough, but i persevered and pushed myself through it. I am looking forward to my soccer match soon!

6 Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. 7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. 8 They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. - Psalm 20:6-8

This bible verse always anchor the values in my life, espacially when i face challenging moments. I know that God is always on my side and even when i am pinned down by problems, i hang on to the trust, hope and confidence i have in God to rise up and stand firm again! You can do the same too! =)