{Monday Motivation} Manny's KO and Lessons on Humility

I did not plan on writing about Manny Pacquiao.  In fact, I have a different post scheduled for today.  But I thought I should share with you my thoughts about his recent fight with Jose Manuel Marquez.  Though I did not watch the fight (if you follow me on Twitter, I helped organized the live viewing in our showroom then left to go shopping), I was as stunned as everyone when I heard that Manny was defeated by Marquez.  Knock out!  Can you believe it?!  I can't.

While going down the escalator, Don and I overheard two girls talking about the fight.  One girl said "Nakakahiya si Manny!  Knock out! Grabe!"  Don and I looked at each other.  We were dismayed by what we heard.   Don and I are not fans of boxing but we were deeply affected by how people were reacting to his defeat!  We read tweets blaming him because he didn't practice enough or how distracted he has been for the past months or how arrogant he has become so he got what he deserves.  His own mom was even blaming his pastors and his religion.

How typical, I thought!  These reactions characterize how we sometimes deal with failure and defeat.  We do not accept it and worse, we blame our circumstances and other people. What was unexpected for me were Manny's reactions.  I am deeply humbled by how he gracefully handled his heart breaking defeat.  His humility is very admirable.

"I want to congratulate Juan Manuel," said Pacquiao, who slipped to 54-5-2 with 38 knowckouts.  "I have no excuses.  It was a good fight and he deserved the victory." (Source)

Manny Pacquiao's defeat made realize a few things:

• Humility is a COMPLETE surrender to God's plan.

Humility is a prominent Christian grace.  It is a state of mind well pleasing to God; it preserces the soul in tranquility and makes us patient under trials. (Easton's 1987 Bible Dictionary)

• Other people will make our recovery from defeat more difficult.  But, how well we rise from each fall will define our character AND the depth of our relationship with God.

A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. (Proverbs 12:16)

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. (1 Peter 3:9) 

• A knockout (or any other challenge or difficulty) is a start of somethings better and greater things to come... but it will depend on OUR actions. 

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2)

So, that's my Manny Pacquiao-inspired Monday Motivation.  Do you have stories about humility that you would like to share?  I'd love to hear them!