The World champions often possess equal physical
strength and capabilities, and receive training of an
almost equal standard. Then why does one win and
another lose? This question has been a topic of
research in America for the past three years. The
report of the group of scientists working on this has
recently been published.
They chose the top international wrestlers and
made comparisons of their physical strength and
psychological reserves. They found out that there is
one marked difference between the winners and the
losers in world competitions. It is not a physical
difference, yet it plays the most crucial role in
winning or losing a competition. The experts
discovered that the winners were more
conscientious and in control of themselves than the
losers. The report is summed up as follows:
“Losers tended to be more depressed and
confused before competing, while the winners
were positive and relaxed.” (The Times of India,
26 July 1981).
This applies equally to the
broader field of life. In life when two
individuals or two groups confront one
another, their victory or defeat does not
depend so much on material resources as on
intellectual and psychological reserves.
The conviction that one’s goals are worthwhile, the
observation of discipline with no contradiction
between words and thoughts, cool thinking, even in
times of crisis—all these are qualities of mind and
heart which determine success, and obviate failure
in the wider field of life.
--Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
( Ref - The Moral Vision)
