My Two Cents: Blind Sided

Every once in while I can claim that I've gotten something, worth repeating, from a movie that I never intended to see. Last week it was a line from Rocky Balboa.

The gist of the story is that Rocky is looking to overcome a number of personal issues and decides that the best way to do that is by getting back into the ring after being away from professional boxing for years. One of the obstacles which Rocky faces in trying to get the fight set up, is from his son; his twenty something year old son is embarrassed by Rocky's decision to fight again while blaming his dad for his own fears and failures.

In a surprisingly memorable scene, in a movie I never expected to like, Rocky, disappointed by his son's perspective, says:

"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done. Now, if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hit, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you are because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain't you. You're better than that!"

The line that is worth repeating?

"It ain't about how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward".

"It ain't about how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward".

"It ain't about how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward".

That's my two cents (for whatever it's worth).

Auguste Roc
auguste@danaroc.com