Contentment is the key. Don't lose it.

 I am not really a fan of boxing. But as a Filipino, I have no choice but to listen to boxing updates every time there is an upcoming Manny Pacquiao boxing event. And during the actual fight, I am glued on my TV and I am one with the nation praying for Manny's success. The hype of every Pacquiao's fight is so intense that every Filipinos even in the remotest areas in the Philippines are tuned in to the live telecast of Manny's fight. Whether its from a free pay-per-view  set-up in a town hall sponsored by a local politician or simply in the comfort of their homes via delayed telecast from a local TV station, Filipinos from all walks of life are always cheering on every punch Manny gives to his opponent. And for every victorious fight, the nation celebrates with Manny. But his last fight with Tim Bradley was totally different, Filipinos were not excited anymore. Somehow, Pacman already lost some of his charms. Maybe it all started when he entered showbiz, he became an actor, a comedian, a variety show host and a recording artist. Then, he entered into politics as a congressman and now he is running as a senator. He even changed his religion and replaced his Catholic faith. More than 80% of the Philippine population are Catholics, and they were not happy about it, including his mother - Mommy Dionisia. Most of his supporters started clamoring for his retirement after his fight with Juan Manuel Marquez on November 2012. Pacman's followers believed that he is no longer focused on his training due to the numerous functions he entered other than boxing. True enough, after his fight with Marquez, he lost his two consecutive fights.

This was the start of his downfall. Even his much awaited fight with Floyd Mayweather (which he also lost) was not enough to put him back into the spotlight. And the poor viewer turnover in his last fight with Tim Bradley just recently, even if he won,  was a clear sign that he is no longer a Filipino icon. So sad that he will be remembered this way.

I have no right to judge Manny, he may have some strong reasons why he kept on scheduling fights even if he already have the fame, the title, the respect, and the money. We do not know what his reasons are, why he is still not contented despite of all the blessings. There is a saying that he who wants everything every time will lose everything anytime. We humans are like that, we are not satisfied with what we have, we long for more. We have no contentment. Mahatma Gandhi once said, Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed.  

Image Source: Wikipedia