I AM A BIG TEAM

Some years back, I came across an amazing quote, a quote that changed my whole being. That single quote transformed the way I picture myself. It was really a sea change.

Self-absorption replaced self-denial;

Self-assurance replaced self-doubt.

Self-aggrandizement replaced self-renunciation; Self-acceptance replaced self-rejection.

Self-hatred replaced self-affection and ultimately came self love.

Henceforth, no more self-abasement, self-abnegation, self-accusation, self-humiliation…why the hell should I do so? Who on earth can ever be there for me better than myself? If I don’t firmly stand for myself whoever can? No one! That is improbable, illogical and impractical as well.

Let me try to explain why. Let’s say a beloved mother and her son are sitting around a campfire enjoying the warmth. Suddenly, and at the same instant, two lamps of coal sprinkled around each ones’ hand. Do you think the mother could rescue her son while her hand is being burned? How about the son?   

The first thing both the mother and her son can do reflexively is wave their hands frantically. It is unrealistic that the mother could pick up the coal lamp on her son’s hand before hers. It is true of the son too. It doesn’t mean that they don’t love each other. Rather, their reflex action forces them to do so. That is beyond their control. So that is impossible.

Anyone must first be in a standing position before they can stretch their hands to help others stand up. Someone that does not swim must not jump in to the water to rescue an individual from drowning in, or else both may die instantly.

Because of this instinctive biological behavior, I completely discarded any kind of negativity towards myself… I re-discovered and approved myself, period. Henceforward, I loved myself more than anything. Therefore, I regretted for hurting myself. I openly confessed my sins to myself and vowed not to go against myself anymore. From that time onwards, I become my own best friend. I committed to myself. I determined to take care of myself, to assume the highest responsibility for myself. I and I become highly interdependent.

What was the quote then? I don’t know who said it first and I don’t know who to attribute it to. Anyways, I have no idea how to thank to whoever coined it. It says:

“If you are the only person in your team, and you are against yourself, how can you expect to win against the world?”(emphasis, color and italics added)Yeah, what an insightful saying! The world is an extremely big team that has never lost any game. It might have lost countless battles yet, Willy-nilly, the war is in her hands. That is who I am fighting teeth and nail all alone. And I am against myself means, to give in even without firing a single bullet… self imprisonment. No way! I am starving of absolute personal freedom.   

Steve Maraboli is known to have said the following excerpt.

Free yourself from the complexities of your life and the imprisonment of your own limiting beliefs. You are enough. Within ourselves we all have the gifts and talents we need to fulfill the purpose we’ve been blessed with. At every given moment we are absolutely perfect for what is required for our journey. YOU ARE ENOUGH! Embrace the power of your truth today. Be unapologetically you. Be free. Today is a new day!

That is true! I am ENOUGH for myself. It is a new day, a re-birth…a downright FREEDOM! I officially freed myself! And just like Dr. Martin Luther king, I said free at last, free at last, free at last! Then, I smiled at myself, gave a warm hug and thanked myself while saluting to the author of the quote.