Being South African I am an avid supporter of rugby football, of the Rugby Union format, not that girly game the Americans play or the hooligan format the Australians have made their own. The original format, of which the proud South African team are now three-time world champions. Just last week one of the sports channels I was watching, showed a documentary program of the recent history of our national team, the Springboks. During the world cup of 1995 hosted in South Africa (and won by us that year) the New Zealand team had a young phenomenon in their team called Jonah Lomu. A huge, incredibly fast and talented young man – the most influential player of that tournament. Indeed of that era. Now, the All Blacks (the New Zealanders) have a traditional Maori war dance they perform before the game, the Haka, and in the final the Springboks stood together to face off against this war-cry. Quite a frightening affair to behold. The South African player to face off against Jonah Lomu, positionally that is, was a much smaller, but all heart player called James Small. During the Haka, Lomu approached menacingly towards Small, and just a few steps out, our own (not so) gentle giant forward, Kobus Wiese stepped in front of Small, allowing Lomu to come very close to him as he stood his ground between Lomu and Small. But the message was very clear, as they stared each other down – not an inch would be given in this contest, and James was not alone. To get to him meant going through others first.

So much of the game is about attitude.

Sport imitates life!

I remember going through a particularly bad period in my life where it seemed I was constantly in a “punch-drunk” state of mind. In fact even physically I was a bit of a wreck. So much was happening and so fast that it was really difficult to remain sane (there are still questions about that today). At times it was hard to formulate rational thoughts without even that causing some pain. I am sure you know what I mean?

Anyway, my point is that after an incident that for me was the last straw, I just decided that it was enough. I took a decision. A decision to stand my ground and literally stare down whatever was facing me. I had to get my head and heart around the fact that I was not alone. The universe actually conspires for our victory, so I needed to stare it down. I needed to develop the attitude so often perceived by people as arrogance or obstinance, but one that gives a bit of a manic look in the eye and a refusal to budge. As the legend Johnny Cash growls in his famous song “A Boy named Sue”, it gives you “gravel in your guts and spit in your eye”.

It took a while to develop this and get the mindset right, but let’s face it, it had been coming some time and was overdue. At the defining moment I recall, as the “gravel and spit” settled, I felt something shift in the universe. Something break. In my spirit I knew there had been a breakthrough. In the days and weeks after that I saw the manifestation of this breakthrough as situations worked out and came around for the good.

I feel this short story and explanation does not do this phenomenon justice. Well, it’s not a phenomenon, really, more of a principle. I just pray that you get the idea. The band Delirious? have a song on their album “Kingdom of Comfort” called “Stare the Monster Down”. There is an aggression in the music and the lyrics that gets my heart pumping, and that’s what I’m trying to convey.

Know that there is a monster after your heart. One that wants to rip it out and destroy your life. Know that he fights a battle he’s already lost. Begin to walk with the attitude of one who is a winner. The universe is truly a benevolent place, and it’s really only your inner demons that desire your destruction. So, stare the monster down!

05 July 2008