The Power of the Voice of Conscience
The voice of conscience is something we often hear deep inside us, yet we tend to ignore it. In the world of sports, where victory is everything, listening to the conscience becomes even more difficult. But sometimes, a true hero is the one who listens to the inner voice rather than the cheering crowd. The story of Ruben Gonzalez, the racquetball legend, beautifully explains this lesson.
Ruben Gonzalez – The Racquetball Legend
Ruben Gonzalez, the uncrowned king of the game of racquetball, was admired all over the world. Fans loved his passion and sportsmanship. Once, during an important racquetball tournament, he faced one of the most defining moments of his career.
The Match That Tested His Voice of Conscience
The match was intense and the crowd was eagerly watching every shot. At the decisive phase, Ruben hit a powerful shot. Both the referee and the linesman declared the shot valid. Ruben was officially declared the winner. Thousands of fans began cheering his name, celebrating his victory.
But something unusual happened. Ignoring the crowd’s excitement, Ruben went straight to his opponent, shook his hand, and said,
“No matter what the referee says, I know that my shot was wrong, and I accept that.”
Choosing Honesty Over Victory
The confession shocked everyone. His rival knew Ruben’s honesty would change the result of the match. And it did. The referees declared Ruben’s shot invalid, and instead of being the winner, he was announced as the loser of the game.
Yet, despite the loss, Ruben’s face glowed with peace and joy.
Winning by Losing – The Lesson of Conscience
When asked why he accepted defeat, Ruben replied, “I had no other way to keep my yeast alive. The voice of my conscience was louder than the voices of people congratulating me, and I chose to follow it.”
This story shows us that true joy does not always come from victory. Sometimes, losing with integrity is more valuable than winning without it.
Conclusion – Do You Listen to Your Voice of Conscience?
Ruben Gonzalez’s story reminds us that the voice of conscience is more powerful than applause, fame, or trophies. In our daily lives, we often ignore this inner voice when making decisions. But once we follow it, we realize that real happiness lies in doing the right thing, even if it means losing something temporarily.
Victory may bring joy for a moment, but peace of mind and integrity last forever. Like Ruben, when we listen to the voice of conscience, we truly “win by losing.”
( Also read: Amy Purdy’s Confidence Story )