Watching rams exchange [heavy] nods in the open can be a thrilling experience. As Yoruba kids, we called it “Ìjà Àgbò” (ram combat). I remember watching several of such contests, usually a few days to Sallah (an Islamic Festival). It’s a ‘ritual’ the average African Child has at least one thing to say about. You’d be surprised to know that ram owners as well as spectators even placed bets on the ram they trust to win just like our football lovers do.
For it’s not just a show, it’s business! But beyond the fun in the drama are many lessons. Let me draw the curtain on our funny yet inspiring RAT Series I shared earlier with these two:
- In a ram combat, backward movements by fighting rams are usually a temporary retirement, it doesn’t mean they are tired. They only retire to re-fire and when they do, the ensuing hit is usually terrific. So, withdraw when you are finding a set goal rather too tough to accomplish. But caution! Combating rams always look into each other’s eyes to ensure safety. Don’t be distracted. Retreat is allowed but the golden rule is to never get the goal off your sight or mind. When you retreat, you can fashion out a viable approach to what seems unachievable. That’s because it is actually achievable.
- Rams that win in all combat attacks with full force once they swing back into action. It is good to ‘chill-out’ but not too cool to waste time doing so. You risk getting iced while ‘over-chilling’. So, start thinking of workable solutions to situations just as you withdraw. Don’t be like that defeated ram in one of the combats I watched. As this ram moved backwards, its opponent approached it so it had to move more. The more it did, the more the other did too. So it became weaker as the other speedily ran to give it a hot smash, and that was the end of the game.
Nothing in life is iron cast. There’s never a universally specified time to run or attack in goal-chasing. But there’s always the right time. And that right time is what you must get right. Every individual is solely responsible for the understanding of their life’s coincidences.
Your life is one with no carbon copy. So, listen to your heart and follow it. Activate your instinct. Instinct is what spots what intellect can’t see. Use yours to decide when and how to RAT (Run, Attack and Think). You will win.