Today is the 29th Day of February in the year 2016. It’s a very special day for two reasons. It marks the end of the month and a day that comes round every four years - in  a leap year.

For many people the world over the final day of the month means review how they have performed to their set goals and targets. Some will look forward to a new month having achieved their goals and some will dread what the incoming month holds. There are several reasons why the thought of the last day of the month could bring many people concerns ranging from missed sales and revenue target, missed rent payment, looming school fees and loan repayments.

Whatever your fears maybe, its only the end of one month and not the end of the world and with belief and dog eared determination you can prevail and be victorious. You will win and live to see many more victories.

On May 7, 2005, Diego Corrales defeated JoséLuis Castillo for the WBC lightweight title via TKO in the tenth round. The fight is almost universally regarded as the best fight of 2005 and for many is counted amongst the best comebacks ever recorded in the history of boxing. Both men stood in front of each other, battering each other with hard combinations and power punches throughout the entire fight. It was evident that both men wanted to win the boxing match, they epitomized the phrase pound for pound, with neither willing to let go.

Finally, in the tenth round, Castillo knocked Corrales down and beat the count and was up to continue the fight. Seconds later, Castillo knocked Corrales down again. At this point it looked hopeless for Diego Corrales to beat the count and continue the fight. Jose Luis Castillo was anxiously waiting for the count and imagining the numerous people he will mention in his victory speech and the party that would follow.

Corrales had other plans that night, that if he would stay down, he would only do so when he had absolutely no power strength in him to do so. To all watching he was totally finished but Corrales dug into his soul and summoned the strength like Samson’s final feat against the Philistines.

Corrales managed to beat the count, and, after a point was taken away for excessive spitting out of the mouthpiece, Corrales stood his ground dodged of few hooks and received a few hard punches from Castillo but remained on his feet and with one wild swing connected with a punch that Castillo would later call "a perfect right hand."

In a moment, the tables turned and Corrales had managed to trap Castillo against the ropes, landing numerous telling punches with no reply from the visibly perplexed and beaten Castillo, causing the referee, to stop the fight. Diego Corrales had become the WBC Lightweight Champion. Corrales had said before the fight that he would go through hell before losing that match.

You may be faced with you own count and race against the clock but remember it's your fight to win. Dig deep, push past the barrier of pain and the weight of your circumstances. Take a stand that if there's to be a man or woman standing, it will be YOU.

Have faith, remain determined, slug it out and you will win. Don't count yourself out. Refuse to be the loser for you were created to have dominion over everything!

Go Forward in hope and confidence that you were created to be successful and your victory will come no matter how late in the fight. When the weight of the world is on your shoulders, don't give up hope. The champion lives in you!

Go Forward, Make Rain.

Shalom

I am Nhyira Addo, The Rainmaker