Since the pandemic began, there still is no clear pathway to normalcy. Every country has tried different approaches having to cope based on different circumstances and limitations. In the absence of an established time frame, each individual finds himself needing to live with the presence of COVID-19.
For the past year, a heap of problems has emerged. Lack of food supply and loss of livelihood were the more immediate ones. Then, the mental state brought about by the isolation people were experiencing became issues. More profoundly, social concerns pertaining to relationships -or the lack of- brought about by the inability of people to interact were emerging.
The pandemic is affecting each person in more ways than one. This period of adversity calls for resiliency.
The ability to adapt
I have learned that resiliency is one characteristic each athlete must have to excel in his chosen field. Although in sports, the challenges we face are controlled and mostly occur within the arena we compete in, the lessons from these moments may be the reminders that some need.
As there does not seem to be any clear plan to defeat COVID-19 in the near future, allow me to encourage everyone to PLAY ON.
P- Pray
Just like any athlete or team who turn to their huddle and “pray” before every game, I urge you to begin each day with a prayer. In the game of life, this is always the best first step.
A prayer is statement of what you desire. More importantly, perhaps, it is also an acceptance of your need and shortcoming. It puts you in position of humility.
In difficult times, let go of pride. Start with a prayer.
L- Look back at past wins
To face a clouded future, you must be armed with a surety that you have what it takes.
The key is to build a belief that whatever comes your way, you will be ready to face it. Remembering your own life winning moments is the best way to begin.
Know in your heart that you have gotten back up, that you have won, that you have had moments of triumph. Recalling these experiences should build a resolve that you have it in you to run through road blocks, jump over hurdles, fight your way through aggression and get out of depression.
Athletes rely greatly on past experiences to make themselves better as they progress. It is the same in life.
A- Align yourself with success
Resiliency fundamentally begins with making a choice. You can look at your situation and decide to list down all that is wrong, or you can look at it and inversely note the opportunities that can come out of it.
You must choose between being positive or negative, the good and the bad. One characteristic of successful athletes is that they all believe they can win despite the odds.
Why even play when you think you will lose?
Fill your minds with the right thoughts. Surround yourself with successful people. Keep believing that you have the skills, attitude and drive to succeed.
Successful people are always the half-full ones.
Y- Yield to the situation
Surrender, many say is the highest form of victory.
Life is made up of seasons and there are ups and the downs. Submitting therefore to a seemingly damaging situation is not an acceptance of defeat as it is more an assurance that better things will come.
Yielding therefore to the adversity is in fact unshackling you from it.
The challenge is to recognize the season and act accordingly. In tough times, it is the season to chill, to prepare, to dream and most importantly to be ready.
O- Open Yourself to all Opportunities
Be open to anything.
This is not the time to say no. If the future is unclear, then we are unconfident that what we currently know will be useful tomorrow.
Fortunately, it is during the most hostile of times that learning is at its peak. When opportunity comes, be open. Learn a new skill; open a business, read a new book. Get a totally different job, do something really unusual, get out of your safe circle, and meet new people.
Sowing in difficult times will allow you to reap in the good times. Chances are what you are learning represent the set up you need for the things to come.
N- Never Give up.
Elite athletes are at the top of their chosen sports simply because none of them gave up on their dreams.
One does not need to be an elite competitor to know that giving up should never be an option. Life throws us curve balls therefore fighting on is incumbent upon all of us.
Giving up should never be an option.
Resiliency is about substance and structure
The ability to be resilient is not an ordinary human trait. It is a characteristic that needs to be worked on. Resiliency is about being made up of a substance that adjusts and a structure that adapts.
It takes time to develop this attribute and the best way to be resilient is to keep on playing on.
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Mike Ochosa is an avid sportsman. He has written for various broadsheets and online publication providing his thoughts and insights on various sports. He is a freelance TV boxing analyst having sat ringside in 14 of Pacquiao’s fights and for various international sports networks as well. He was President of Punchout Boxing Club and is currently President and Program Director of Philippine Habagat Baseball.
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