Over the last few years I've become very interested in mixed martial arts. This interest came about primarily because of Conor McGregor. Love him, or hate him; he's certainly earned the title Notorious. Here I am mentioning this individual as an introduction.
McGregor had once mentioned the phrase "in the pocket". Even though I had never heard of this before; I already seemed to have an idea of what it meant. It refers to when a boxer is within a dangerous striking range of his opponent. It's when a fighter gets in very close to his opponent and hoping to cause the most damage. However, this can be a very bad strategy if his opposition is accustomed to fighting like this. An individual that is used to scrapping it out. Trading one blow at a time in a tight space. He likes this. And more importantly, he knows that the other fighter is either desperate, or has made a grave mistake.
I believe this is always an effective strategy for creators. We can not effectively thrive unless we're in that pocket. Eventually, we'll take a few to the chin; but we're ready for it. And we're just as good at dealing out the punishment. The opponent evaporates in front of us. We may be a little bloody at the end; but the spoils go to us.
The fight is remembered. Calculated. New things happen. However, nothing can reduce an artist like being just out of range. Can't get one hit in....but eaten alive from long jabs. Constant criticism. Wide hooks. Low pay. No way in. Abilities waning. Nothing on the line. It's better to just get knocked out. But to constantly lose fights without ever being able to test your mettle is a horrible existence. Taken apart....a little at a time....is far worse. To see the best come and go; and not even get a shot.
Is this for me anymore? Time for a new career?
Things become technical. Egg shells materialize, and feet of clay emerge. Thats when it's time for blood. Make things a mess. We have pints to spare. The opponent isn't aware of this. Or even prepared for it. But we are. When all strategies fail...when the mud gets deep...we get serious. Its not a game. You may win this fight....but you'll pay for it.
In blood.
It'll be a pleasure for me. Overtime ... I see it hit the mat. Splashing down from the cuts that I’ve sustained. A moment that I know that the advantage is mine. Everytime I feel it...... is a step closer to peace. Calmness. The quiet space where I know that I finally belong. A moment. Just for me. No person, no money, fame, appraisal, or promise that can be traded for. This is why I'll never be defeated. Because the Love is always there. It will never leave me.
It wasn't just my technique;
It wasn’t just technique…it was the ability to endure. To shield out the nonsense. We tend to laugh off politics, psychotics, bullets, and paranoia. The rest of you invented that crazy endeavor because you’re lazy. Acts of cowardice that the rest of us have had to deal with for many centuries on the low end. And the weird part is that their really aren’t that many of you. I guess its true….squeaky wheel really does get the grease. None of you are the best. Not even close. Even on your best day. Bottom lines are your philosophy….everything else is ours. Just wish that sometimes it could be for more than what we already know. Perhaps it would be great on occasion to hear that “I don’t know where you are…and I don’t know what you’re doing…but I want you to know that I love you. You’re in there fighting the good fight. Keep going. If your heart keeps filling up some how for some reason every day, and your community keeps building…then you need not look back. Another one is about to be accomplished. It’ll get done. Save your mind. Be true to yourself; and you’ll find that special energy all around. The grind is hard and long, but its what the core needs. Machining of the mind isn’t easy; but it moves fluid once the work is done.
Not something that I am terribly familiar with. However the process is what I understand better now.