NO SACRIFICE TOO GREAT

Dear students,

The purpose of writing itself is to reveal nothing but truth. This rule applies nowhere except on term paper in semester years for undergraduate students. Writing, unlike research whose core objective in the first place is to identify problems , ironically in most cases the researchers crack their problems to invent problems and put much hype into them so that the problems deem real and research would of course be of a real significance. Then, the select panels will debate and sort them out. However, writing is unique so long we care less of what others think about us. What is the purpose of writing then if all that we want is to write . As we sometimes cringe after being harshly criticized despite everyone is subject to his or her own opinion , the same might apply when we ourselves give others the so called honest opinions or comments as people can hardly accept their weaknesses. A real stumbling block in becoming of a real being. The more prepared we are to face very unexpected ones the closer we are to achieving what have long aspired. However, as nature dictates, we tend to keep on listening to the last person’s advice instead of to our own inner voice. Therefore, as a rule of thumbs, we end up doing nothing of great importance but stay mediocre and being mere reactive.

US Open is in action now starting from 29 August, In Harian Metro today, in its feature writing section there was a brief account of Nadal’s My Story. Unlike Adre Agassi’s Open full of lucid details of his involvement in drugs, women and so on. Nadal’s My Story is more on his passion in the game and his rise to be once a world number one. He chronicled in great details of each moment in his epic battle in 2008 when he won over Federer in the greatest game ever in tennis history. Nadal deserved to win then as he was disciplined enough that he forced himself to observe some ‘rituals’ before great matches especially every time playing against Roger. Rituals here meant his step-by-step preparation prior to the championship. He would always take a very cold shower to reenergize his body and to have a feeling like a newborn with full of energy and enthusiasm. He did a quick warming-up as scheduled before carefully donning his trade mark scarf. He did that for nothing but gain and maintain his focus for championship. He tried his best to shut out other voices that could cost him championship medals by listening to music while forcing his way out through the tunnel to the battle ground amidst the crazy crowds in a packed stadium. He created a wall so that he won’t heed to outside voices but his own inner instincts and the presence of his family seemingly cemented the imaginary wall. And never he gave a smile to his families during any match, let alone to his fans. The tougher the battle the more focus it demands. He grunted and fretted on court and cared less of what others perceived of his antics. He managed to stick to his war philosophy, taught by his uncle Tony ‘being cruel to be good’, thus set him apart from his rivals. He claimed that his strength is he is superior to others in facing difficulties and . He is a strong advocate of being persevered and hardworking. He attributed his success to his coach who always spurred him to fight the best he could offer. His important message imparted to us mere mortals is no sacrifice is too great should we want something badly enough.

He was quoted as saying so : "I look back at that teenage Rafael and I am proud of him. He set a benchmark of endurance that has served me as an example and as a reminder ... if you want something badly enough, no sacrifice is too great."

From the story of Nadal what I am trying to highlight is his sportsmanship spirit. Despite being humiliated twice in Wimbeldon finals by Roger. He was insistent and stubborn enough that he has since improved on many aspects of this skills and physique ranging from his service, forehand and backhand winners and even his drop shots . After all , his most successful approach is when he managed to overcome fear. Fear conquers him more than anything else.

So, we also without a doubt have fear. The battle of the so called major exams are fast approaching. We cannot crush fear it is no something physical. Its existence is everywhere and nowhere. It all starts from within our mind. Once we truly reign our own soul , mind or reasoning faculty. It will exude confidence and confidence is contagious and has its ripple effects.

To quote what Muhammad Ali once said ‘ Champions are not made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have inside them - a desire , a dream and a vision’

And what the hell do we have to be champions? Of course we are too small to be humble.

Sir