Have you ever felt defeated? Well, if you haven't, you probably haven't lived life yet. I'll start off with the old cliché that goes something along the lines of "in life, you will feel defeat" to begin my lecture. Defeat is simply unavoidable: in fact, it's guaranteed to happen. Defeat is also so much deeper than that; it's one thing to talk about feeling defeat, but it's another to actually experience it. Defeat comes in so many different forms: on the sports field, where you lose a heartbreaker to the team you fought so hard to beat; in the classroom, where you look back and wish you had tried harder on that one assignment; in the office where, you couldn't even take a breathe before the boss utters the word "you're fired"; in relationships, where the three-day-a-week counseling sessions seem to only have made matters worse; in the doctor's office, where you come to find the tumor has only grown after months of chemotherapy. This list goes on, and defeat takes many other forms in the lives of each individual. When you've reached that point of defeat, its appears giving up is the easiest option.
Many will try their best to run from these realities, but running will only worsen the situation. It's that constant voice leaning over your shoulder saying, "you're finished. Run," then you run. There's only so much I can say in this short article—that some may never see—but I will do my best to enlighten even the best of us with this simple message: defeat is essential. Yes, sometimes the situation may seem more than overwhelming, but its the testing of our character that can either bring out the best or worst in someone. So if defeat has us at our lowest, why not just rise to the occasion? After all, if you're at your lowest, the situation can't get any worse.
It's the testing of our character that drives us to reach new heights, not hit new lows. How can one, in good nature, sit back and watch everything completely fall apart? It's just not worth it. When scenarios get hard, it's time to fight harder than ever before. That's not even a guarantee you'll win! But at least you can say, "I never let my situation get the best of me. Never."
There's nothing greater than watching a comeback. It's fun, its inspirational, and it's truly a testament to the kind of drive an individual can have to be great. So, if nothing else, look at it this way: it's time to make the greatest comeback you've ever seen. It's time to shake off the past, fight with a sense of urgency, and never ring the bell. Build the resiliency and spirit you never thought you had in you. It's time.
And if nothing else serves as the slightest bit of inspiration, I leave you with this:
Defeat is the reason we have regrets. Defeat is the reason we wake up in the morning and say "I wish I could've done better." Defeat is the reason why many people come up short of their goals in life. Defeat is the reason life gets hard. But defeat also fuels you. Defeat is the reason we keep trying: it's the reason we keep pushing for greatness. Defeat is the reason we work hard so next time we prevail. Defeat is the reason we don't give up, because always being defeated is never an option. Defeat is essential for success. You need to feel defeat at times so that the victory tastes that much sweeter. It's time to run toward victory.
