Post by Eron Hunter on Nov 22, 2024 13:46:08 GMT -5
There he is, sitting on the seashore, looking at the sun setting down on the horizon. The sea waves advance and retreat, kiss, and run, just like they have been doing for the last centuries at least. Sitting there he takes a few slow but deep breaths, filling his lungs with the fresh sea breeze.
“The long run home never ends.
Not when your home is the Dreams in your heart. It takes an infinite number of steps to reach that home. It´s not achieved easily and, you know everything about it don´t you, Ryan Young? Forever the talented fighter, but never reaching that great, final, goal.”
Eron crosses his arms on his chest, his back is turned upon us as he faces the sea. He takes a few more deep breaths and keeps on talking, slowly and peacefully.
“It takes a toll on your heart and perseverance will, when you know you are that damn good and still can't boast an infinite number of XHF X*Crown Championships. Failing where, maybe, less talented people have managed to achieve.
It´s like that woodworm, slimy and disgusting, eroding the strongest tree from the inside. That doubt in the heart, that drains all the energy from you. Fighters like us? Fighters like us, Ryan, are used to physical challenges. We can climb the rockiest mountains and walk the most arduous paths, as long as it´s only physical pain, we grit our teeth and carry on.
But how do you fight that mental angst?
The doubt, the stress, and the sadness of getting so damn close and not being able to grasp that final victory. The victory that would help you agree with the fact that you are a born, purebred, world-class fighter and World Champion Material. Can a man, a fighter, a wrestler manage to live with all that amount of doubt and constant performance pressure that never amounts to that final achievement?
How long until this very man breaks down?
How long until a fighter hangs his shoes on the wall and calls it quits? Until this very warrior accepts the fact, or better said breaks down under the pressure of the thought that he will never manage to achieve more than that? I am sure you have enough experience and wisdom to know that the world is full of world-class athletes who never manage Grandeur. Why? Because.
Because it takes a lot more than just physical skill and talent to achieve great goals in the world of sports. It takes perseverance, systematicity, discipline, and a lot of luck too. What about that fatal injury that makes you scream in pain and desperation, just when you were about to break that record or land that final move that would mean victory?
How much doubt can a poor Heart endure?
How many times can you withstand pain, until you give up and let go?
An Infinite amount! That´s all there is to it. All it takes is that; an infinite amount of gritting your teeth and standing up again, on a broken leg, injured body, or whatever pain life throws at you. I should know a lot about it. Been hurt more days than others have life. I have been found comatose in a trash bin and I do not remember a thing about why I landed there. Hurt myself more times than others have had the time to breathe.
Called it quits a myriad of times and yet, I still am here. Fighting against people like you, Ryan Young, great fighters and truly so. And I feel blessed with great fortune and luck. To be able to stand here and breathe wrestling, bathing myself in the cheers of the fans who love me, this is the greatest blessing of it all. At least for someone who has dreamed of being a great fighter for as long as he can remember.
And that, friend...
…That is the true Freedom!”
He leans back, on the sand, spreads his arms, and gazes at the cerulean skies above us. He smiles while speaking his last words
“A man free of angst, of doubt and fear is a truly free man. A man who has once traversed that line and gone beyond it, the line of desperation in front of presumed failure, is a man who has found true strength in his heart. I, Ryan Young, am that man. Free of the fear of failure I enjoy every moment of this world of fighting we call home. I cherish every moment and am grateful for every second I get to spend in the ring with great fighters like you, Ryan.
That is true Freedom.
True strength
The unending fount of Power.
To beat me, Ryan Young, you must first defeat the doubts in your heart. I am sure you will, sooner or later, but will you be able to do that in time for our upcoming match? I sincerely hope so. I want you in your best shape, for our fight, because that´s how I see the ring. I see it as a place where dreams clash and the strongest wins.
I will wait and see how things go
Your time to show the world what you are made of”
Fade to the blood-red horizon.
