Living as a Man in an Arena

Hi There,

Happy new month. The month of May was very special for me. I celebrated my birthday, which gave me a chance to reflect on my life trajectory. I think I have seen a few things in nearly three decades of existence. I have gained and lost. I have sown things and reaped different things too. I have rejoiced and cried. I have worked and played. I have sacrificed and also had privileges. I have acted wisely at times and foolishly at others. Clearly, our states as humans are dynamic, but they’re filled with common denominators.

For instance, whether you are rich or poor, you’ll have something significant boggling your mind to pursue. That’s not all; you’ll also need people around you, and you’ll have a fair share in the tragedy of existence (including natural disasters, death, etc.). Life is a real show, and the truth is that to be a good actor, you have to follow some guidelines or principles.

I will not be reviewing a book in this note. Instead, I have set out to share some life principles with you as we walk through the aisles of life. The central theme of my thoughts will revolve around the following: being truthful, humble, courageous, and determined to fight for our God-given gift, which is life.

1. Be Truthful

When you try your best to always say what is true, it can simplify your life. You can tell lies, and people may not know, but time can reveal your falsehoods. Even if time doesn’t expose your lies, you probably can’t escape the judgment of your own conscience. Jordan Peterson says, no one has ever gotten away with a lie. It’s going to come back at you—it’s like karma. The world is in need of honest people. Are you one? I mean, are you truthful to yourself and others?

2. Be Humble

Come to terms with your deficiencies. Wear the gown of humility everywhere you go because that shows you are a person willing to learn and open to new ideas. To detect pride and arrogance, you hear things like: “I am enough,” “I don’t need you,” “You are not worthy of my time,” etc. Beware of elements of pride in your engagements because we are always one slip away. Humility is key! Even God seems distant when we are not humble enough to align with his ways—we can’t experience his awesomeness and relate with him.

3. Be Courageous

Trust your gut and take a leap of faith. Many times we get defeated by fear: “What if I lose?” “What if I am not good enough?” But what if you win? What if you are the one the world has been waiting for? Never underestimate your potential. You are unique; as a matter of fact, you are smart, so don’t be the first person to talk down on yourself. Courage says, “Let me try against all odds.”

4. Be a Fighter

We are built to walk uphill. After getting to the top of a hill, we celebrate the feat, but that’s not the end of the journey. In no time, we are wired to start finding and climbing the next hill. I see this relentless move as a fighting spirit. Arguably, you are a fighter. Never submit to being a victim, and remember you have your own arena. Don’t wish to be in another person’s shoes, regardless of the nature of your fight. I love how Jordan Peterson puts it: “Don’t wish for another man’s fate.” It’s dangerous to be envious of others. Sometimes the people you are jealous of have bigger issues in their life. “Your fate is enough, your adventure is enough, it’s more than you can fully realize.”

Conclusion

I have titled this note “Living as a Man in an Arena.” I could have used something like “Life Principles” or “Guidelines to a Better Life,” but I didn’t. This was done deliberately to emphasize the fact that everything you must “BE” is tied to this understanding: you are living in an arena, and what is done in any arena is to fight for one’s life. Life is full of choices. Actually, every choice is a fight—whether to say the truth, stay humble, or act courageously, it is all a fight. Finally, let me ask: What have you been up to lately? Are you fighting, or are you down?

This is all I have to write this month. Stay connected, and I will write to you again next month.

I am Samuel Ayankoso | The Quester

Quotes

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” ~Theodore Roosevelt

“Modern people can’t see God because they won’t look low enough.” ~Carl Jung

“Reading should not be presented to children as a chore, a duty. It should be offered as a gift.” ~Kate DiCamillo