You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not be reduced by them.” --- - Maya Angelou

The epic cricket match played between Australia and South Africa on March 12th, 2006 went down in history of cricket owing to how a united team can do wonders. In the match, Australia batted first in the limited 50 overs match, and scored 434 runs with the loss of four wickets. A never-before scored total in 50 overs. South Africa was now faced with the daunting task of bettering it. It is said that in the dressing room the South African team was frozen and there were icy undercurrents between the batsmen and the bowlers, for the batsmen felt that the bowlers didn’t do their job well, and the bowlers felt that the batsmen as the then fielders didn’t do their job well. Captain Graham Smith was in a state of shock. It was amid the gloom that Jacques Kallis, with a straight face, chipped in with words to the effect of “OK, guys, I think the bowlers have done their job. Now it’s up to the batsmen. They’re 15 runs short; this is a 450-wicket,” that the other players came out of their shells.” Jacques Kallis’s statement had an immediate effect on each and every South African team member leading to them believing that they can’t view themselves solely as batsmen or bowlers, but should see themselves as cricketers belonging to the South African national cricket team. South Africa went on to win the match. F.E.A.R. has two meanings;

1. Forget everything and run or 2. Face everything and rise.

It is persistence that transports us from loss, blockage and defeat onto a fresh starting point. The great Abraham Lincoln was known to have said, “I destroy my enemies when I make them my friends.” Sadly, often you and I may do the exact opposite that is, “We destroy our friends when we make them our enemies.” In times of challenges, often we commit the mistake of blaming each other, undermining our own mistakes and magnifying the mistakes of others. We often start mistrusting our fellow team members, and indulge in either heated arguments of giving each other the cold shoulder. Team work is all about individuals coming to the help of each other, not seeking help from others only. Team work is doing more with what we have, instead of wishing for more, be it resources material or otherwise. Team work is to do one’s best and not to be deterred by fear of failure. Often when individuals stick together in failure, they eventually are able to craft victories. Be it a family or a business, you and I need to always be mindful of Mary Angelou’s quote, “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not be reduced by them.” Inducing our fellow team members and family members to hold each other in high esteem especially in challenging times will yield positive results, sometimes sooner but if not then surely later. By reading about incidents where individuals like Jacque Kallis have induced others to hold each other in high esteem in challenging times will give us the mental conditioning to do the same. Practice makes you and me better.

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