Boxing great "Hurricane" Peter McNeeley once famously warned a recently de-incarcerated Iron Mike Tyson that he was going to “wrap him in a cocoon of horror” during the course of their upcoming bout. McNeeley, renowned knockout victim to a bonafide who’s who list of professional pugilists (as in, “who?”), proceeded to back up the chest-beating by sadly succumbing to an encapsulation of his own within 89 electrifying seconds. For those first 88 seconds, however, the club fighter-turned-circus-attraction floated like a … well … he floated like a Buick and stung like a breeze. And yet, he took his shot. With a limited arsenal, he climbed into the ring with the most feared man of his generation not named Willard Huyck (Don’t believe me? Watch Howard the Duck.), and flailed like the drowning tourist he was.
It is tempting to consider only the likely consequence and not the potential glory when it comes to our own personal and professional aspirations. We foresee the carnage of a half caved-in cranium instead of a hand raised in stunning upset victory. Lest we forget that Buster Douglas was the original Peter McNeeley, sans the stark difference in outcome, anything can happen when we man up and step through the ropes and into the bright lights.
No, David does not always slay Goliath, but each defeat paves the way for ultimate victory. Fortunately, most of us are not tasked with warding off the advances of large humans intent on malice for a living, so the defeats are only painful to our psyches. As we took turns waxing non-nostalgic and eulogizing the recently interred 2009 last month, pardon me for hopping back in line for another turn at the mic. This time, however, I reserve the soliloquy for channeling all of that lingering angst and lament into actionable rededication. No more sitting on the stool, waiting for the corner to throw in the towel. No more hand-wringing over how all of our ails will be resolved, and by whom.
I may have a career year, I may get knocked upside the head. Can't be sure which until the bout ends next December. One thing is certain, however. Somebody or something is getting wrapped up in a cocoon of horror before it's all said and done. Believe that.
2010 … let’s do this thing.
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