I have always found myself supporting the underdog; as long as they are not playing the Yankees of course. There is something about a team or a person with a lesser probability of having the tools or skills to defeat a better opponent that’s incredibly inspiring and motivating when they overcome the cards stacked against them. Don’t we all find ourselves with the cards stacked against us at some point in our lives? How we respond to being in that position really determines our ability to build tenacity and resiliency.
In Malcom Gladwell’s “David and Goliath” he presents an intriguing perspective to the age old story. As the traditional story goes the Philistines and Israelites were deadlocked against one another with a large ravine dividing the two armies. This ravine would lead to suicide if either camp attempted to traverse the ravine to attack their enemy. Instead, the Philistines sent their fiercest warrior into the valley to resolve the deadlock. Goliath was a giant wearing full armor, a bronze helmet, and equipped with a shield. Goliath shouted to the Israelites to choose a man and send him down to Goliath for battle. The loser of this battle and his people would be enslaved to the winner. David, a small shepherd boy, who had come from Bethlehem to bring food to his brothers stepped forward and accepted the challenge.
As this story has been shared over the generations, the popular interpretation has been of David being the underdog. But was he? What Goliath had asked the Israelites for was “single combat” which was a common practice of dueling in the ancient world. Goliath was expecting hand to hand combat. In anticipation of this type of combat he had protected himself with an elaborate tunic of bronze to absorb any body blows he may receive. Goliath also had three separate weapons, a thrusting javelin, a sword, and a spear which were ideal weaponry for close range combat.
Contrary to Goliath’s preparation, David declined the sword and armor he was offered. He chose five smooth stones and placed them in his shoulder bag descending down into the valley upon doing so. As he approached Goliath he placed a stone in a leather sling, fired at Goliath’s exposed forehead which caused Goliath to become stunned as he fell to the ground. While Goliath lay on the ground stunned David rushed Goliath, valiantly taking Goliath’s sword, and using it to behead Goliath. David knew he was not the underdog because he was a slinger with expert accuracy. Goliath, in all of his heavy armor, was a sitting duck for David’s tactics. What would happen if we approached life as David did never believing we are the underdog?
In my late teens and early 20s I faced my biggest Goliath to date. I had developed an eating disorder which quickly morphed into a deep addiction. My life revolved around how I could avoid meals, how much I could exercise each day, and how I could keep my deep, dark secret hidden from those who knew me well even when I was barely 100 pounds. My loved ones did attempt to reach out and help me by prompting me to seek counseling. However, I never felt counseling was for me. One day I woke up and was fed up (pardon the pun) with the way I had been living and depriving my body. I turned to knowledge from books and slowly began to tackle my Goliath. At the time I did not realize what I was actually doing was converting from an infantry solider like Goliath to a slinger like David. By reading many accounts of other women who had experienced the same disordered eating and completing a very intense workbook which assisted me in examining the core emotional issues behind the eating disorder, I was able to heal myself. I defeated my Goliath just as David had in the parable. (Disclaimer: I am not encouraging anyone to forego professional interventions. I am only sharing my own personal experience.)
What I learned from this experience is that giants are not what we think they are. The elements we believe give them invincible power and strength actually give them great weakness as well. We just have to shift our thinking to be able to identify the weaknesses rather than being overshadowed by the strengths. Being an underdog can change people. It can open doors and create opportunities. It can educate and enlighten and even make possible what others might have thought to be unacheivable. I am now walking through the doors that have opened and the opportunities that have been created due to the hardships I faced. I am using what I’ve learned through my own life experiences to be a conduit for other people’s healing. I hope you all will not only defeat your own Goliath but also choose to capitalize on the experience! Thanks for stopping by.
Peace & Love,
Janessa