Shadowboxing with Contingencies An Exercise in ABA

In the ancient gymnasium of Discipline, a young boxer trains under the watchful eye of a sage coach. One day, in a heated moment, the boxer spits out his mouthpiece during sparring. On another occasion, he engages in trash talk, saying, "I'm gonna work you hard tonight," to which his opponent retorts, "Your mama worked me hard last night."

Rather than addressing these transgressions directly, the wise coach imposes a different test: ten push-ups. This labor, unrelated to the acts of disrespect, serves a higher purpose. Through each push-up, the boxer learns endurance, respect, and the weight of actions. The physical strain of the push-ups, though not tied to the mouthpiece or the words spoken, imprints a lesson deeper than mere correction—a lesson in humility, strength, and the broader path to mastery. Thus, in the sweat of exertion, the boxer discovers the essence of discipline and the true spirit of the sport.