Do You have the Will to Win?

A man can only be beaten in two ways — he quits or he dies. SEAL Maxim

When it comes down to true martial arts, that is self-defense and the perfection of one’s character, a man (or woman) can only be beaten in two ways. He can beat himself by giving up and quitting or he can be killed in the process of fighting to protect what he loves.

Many will disagree with this, stating that, if he gets his butt kicked, he has been beaten. But that is not necessarily true. Just because someone gets their butt kicked, that doesn’t mean he is beaten; that simply means he lost a battle, not the war. A man is never defeated until he decides to declare defeat.

Back in my wilder days, when I was known to fight a lot, I was out at a nightclub one night. Earlier that night, I had words with a couple of rednecks before I got to the club. As it happened, these thugs were at the club later and I had unwisely had too much to drink that night. They came over to my table and things escalated and we decided to take it outside.

I boldly led the way out the door and to the side of the club, followed by these two low-lifes and about four of their buddies close behind, which was a big mistake by itself. But hey, in my defense, I was drunk. Just as we got out of sight of the security and police which always hung out outside the club, I was attacked before I ever had a chance to turn around; and I was beaten to a pulp. I woke up lying in the gravel in this parking lot, pulled myself together, and drove home.

These guys were on cloud nine, bragging to anyone and everyone who would listen for weeks about how they kicked my ass, totaled defeated me, etc. But their little ego booster shot would not last for long.

About four months later, I happened to be back home visiting. I was asked to go pick up my younger brother and his friend and give them a ride home. I waited outside for them to meet me and it just so happened to these same two idiots walked up in the parking lot. Of course, as fools do, they couldn’t resist the chance to come over, get in my face, and threaten to give me another beating, smacking their fists into the palm of their other hand. Big mistake!

As soon as the bigger guy shoved me, I lit him up and continued to pound him until a group of guys pulled me off. Then I looked at his buddy, took a step towards him, and he took off like his pants were on fire. I swear, I don’t think an Olympic track star could have caught that guy that night! I had returned the favor and left the bigger guy lying in the gravel parking lot, covered in blood and dirt.

I was in the grocery store the next day picking up some things for my grandmother and, as luck would have it, the bigger guy was in the store. Both of his eyes were swelled almost completely shut, his nose looked like he had been hit with a baseball bat, and he was holding his broken ribs. I just smiled at him and gave him a head nod, and he immediately left.

Later that day, one of his friends looked me up to deliver a message. He said that Scott wanted me to know that he has no more problems with me and as far as he is concerned, we are good and he was sorry about what he had done a few months earlier. I won’t say what my response was, but I never had another problem with that guy.

I have a philosophy that I live by — I don’t lose. I may lose a battle here and there, but I refuse to lose the war. No matter how long it may take me or what I have to sacrifice, I WILL eventually win. I always have and I always will.

You may ask, “How can you say that? You don’t know if you are going to win or not.” The answer to that question is simple, I refuse to declare defeat until I win; therefore, I won’t lose. Sooner or later the opportunity to defeat my enemies will present itself. And when it does, I take it, whether it is a week later or 10 years later. I refuse to throw in the towel and I refuse to lose.

The only way to beat a man who refuses to lose is to kill him; and if I am not dead yet, you haven’t beaten me! I will be there in the shadows, always watching and waiting for the perfect opportunity. And when it presents itself, I grab it with both hands, and along with it, victory.

While your enemies gloat over their presumed victory, quietly plan your strategy and wait for the right time and place for you to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Tokugawa Ieyasu stated, “After victory, tighten your helmet straps.” Always remember, just because you have won a battle, that doesn’t mean you have won the war. Fools always forget this morsel of wisdom, just as they do most wisdom.

Just because you have lost a battle today, that doesn’t mean you are defeated. Victory has no statute of limitations. The game of life is not over until you give up or die. Dying is a given, but whether or not you give up or fight until you win is totally up to you. As for me, I refuse to quit and I refuse to lose. I have a very long memory and I WILL WIN! Warrior up! Bohdi Sanders ~ author of the #1 bestseller, MODERN BUSHIDO