by Jun Asis

“Most people quit because of one reason and one reason only…. they decided not to win.” - - Doug Firebaugh

Many people go through life dying before they even start living. Those who do not “play”
because they have decided that they will not win. Those who do not give their best are equally guilty, for in their minds, they are just going through the motions.

“I can’t do it, it’s so hard.” “I’m not cut out for this” “Ganyan talaga, wala na tayong
magagawa.” “Di ko kaya yan.” Sounds familiar?
On my third year in college, we had a subject called Electromagnetics which involved higher mathematics and was admittedly one of the hardest hurdles for many. We had a professor who had a reputation for flunking the majority of his students. A tale went that he gave a failing grade to a consistent Dean’s Lister who was a year or two ahead of us. For reasons I couldn’t recall, I missed the first meeting and couldn’t quite catch up in class. So, on the last day of “dropping” subjects - I chickened out. I filled my walking papers, had them signed and took the “easy way out”. It was just a few hours before the first test, if I remember right.

Pathetic isn’t it? I lost even before the game began. Lumagpak bago pa man ang unang test. Kainis! Sarap kutusan, ‘no?

Many people are are like that, still breathing yet act as if they’re alrealdy dead. They think that there is nothing more they can do, and they haven’t even done doing anything yet! Those who lose hope, put the blame on others or situations, never lifting a finger to try. In their mind, they’ve already lost the game of life without even playing it. I should know.
I was one.

Maybe every November 1 and 2, we should all light a candle and lay down wreaths for the living dead, including ourselves. And pray:

“Eternal Rest grant unto us the living dead O Lord…”

But wait…We can do better.

Starting with how we think.

Develop a healthy and positive mental attitude. Fill your thoughts with things that are constructive and good. In all things, train your mind to look for the good first. Be hopeful. Be optimistic.

Try this for a week.

As soon as you wake up, think to yourself:

“This is a great day. Thank you Lord for giving me everything I need.”

Carry this thought throughout the day. When a downer situation or person comes, repeat this in your mind. I assure you, you will find that life is more pleasant than it ever was.

And

“If you think you are beaten, you are,
If you think you dare not, you don’t
If you like to win, but you think you can’t,
It is almost certain you won’t.
“If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost
For out of the world we find,
Success begins with a fellow’s will-
It’s all in the state of mind.
“If you think you are outclassed, you are,
You’ve got to think high to rise,
You’ve got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.
“Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man,
But soon or late the man who wins
Is the man WHO THINKS HE CAN!”

- Napoleon Hill - from the book Think and Grow Rich

Epilogue:

How did I pass Electromagnetics, you ask? I enrolled the following semester and finished the course. The result? An above average grade, 1.75 (And this was not in La Salle)