There comes a time in all of our lives where we are faced with the brutal realities of life. That time where we look ourselves in the mirror and are unhappy with what we see. The moment when reality smacks you in the face with a 2 x 4 of truth. That unmarked crossroad of life where we stare down two roads: The road of righteousness and the down hill stretch of disappointment; only to remember that you forgot your map to help us decide which one is the correct road to continue down. That single instance that it hits you that this isn't what you're life is supposed to be like...cue sappy string quartet.
It could be the moment you catch up with friends about their upcoming job prospect that they were just offered. The quick glance at your Facebook news feed when you see seven new engagement updates, three side profile photos of that one time high school crush who is now expecting another bundle of joy or that one girl who always seems to have a new relationship update, while you sit by asking when is your time. That interview that you left thinking to yourself welp, not gonna get that one.
Funny how things work.
Sounds kind of funny, but that's when I turn to the likes of Rocky Balboa. What's even funnier is what I'm about to say, I believe that we all have a part of Rocky deep inside of us. We all have a little bit of the Italian Stallion ready to break free from the fenced in confines of our being. Now, if you don't know who rocky Balboa is, or understand any of the references, I apologize for wasting your time and want to save you another minute of your life as I suggest that you just skip on to another blog or on to something more worthwhile.
Rocky teaches us that you can go twelve rounds with any opponent in life. A rival, an enemy, addiction, heartbreak, death/ loss, anything. He proves that anyone can go toe-to-toe with any challenge and persevere through determination, dedication and a chip on your shoulder. Because like he said in Rocky Babloa "Nothing will hit as hard as life." How often we forget that.
I've begun to struggle with that a lot lately, especially with recent interviews and opportunities, frequent reminders of how "far behind" I am to most of my peers and how depressing it is to work part time at the same place I did in high school. Then it dawned on me - while watching Rocky IV - that everyone's journey is different. Everyone's path differs in challenges, terrain, obstacles, levels of difficulties, etc...cue Rocky Balboa training montage with groovy 70's and 80's techno music.
While some of my peers value a few years of hard work building a foundation at one job and some growing into miserable machines; I chose two full time stints, a summer gig in the mountains and part time opportunities just to seek out more opportunities to fine tune my skills and seek out a fulfilling trade. While some peers chose to actually embed themselves into corporate America; I chose to leave and find a personal purpose that will help protect me upon my return. As some married themselves to the one they love most; I chose a courtship with curiosity, an affair with adventure and a spouse in spontaneity...all three new to my life since graduating college.
All of our lives, although extremely different, are filled with similar stories, setbacks and sad truths. And if there is anything that I've learned from watching many Rocky Movie Marathons on Spike, it's that no matter who you are, where you're from, whether you're a rookie, a veteran, a has-been or a never-was-been we can all fight, we can all go twelve rounds, fifteen rounds or even twenty rounds...when fighting in the ring of life.
So in the words of Rocky Balboa we must remember:
"The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place It will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me or nobody is going to hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you hit, it is about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much can you take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!"
Ding. Ding. Ding. Round One. Fight.
Until next time...
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