If you missed it, Mike Tyson is returning to boxing with a September exhibition against Roy Jones, Jr. I’m not old enough to have seen Mike Tyson fights in the past, but I know that he is one of the greatest ever. With Iron Mike’s return to the ring, I’m reminded of another great boxer: Rocky Balboa.
I know that Rocky is a fictional character, but the movies will get you pumped up and make you feel like you are standing on top of a mountain. Just watch some Rocky training montage clips on YouTube and tell me you aren’t ready to face your fears.
In the 2006 film, Rocky Balboa, Rocky is preparing for his final fight and his son isn’t too excited for what is to come. In an effort to get his father to drop the fight, Rocky responds with one of the greatest short speeches in movie history:
“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s 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 ya 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 ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that! I’m always gonna love you no matter what. No matter what happens. You’re my son and you’re my blood. You’re the best thing in my life. But until you start believing in yourself, ya ain’t gonna have a life.”
Life isn’t going to be easy. It will beat you up if you let it. The weak will quit when life gets hard. They will throw in the towel the second things don’t go their way. You aren’t weak. You are a fighter. No matter what is facing you in life right now, know that you can take the punches. Someone may be looking for you to give up, but don’t give them that satisfaction.
You aren’t one to blame others or make excuses for what is happening in your life. You know your worth and are willing to go after what you’re worth.
You may feel like you are standing up against a brick wall with little progress. Know that a wall is just a divider between one point and another. You know what is on the other side if you keep trying new things and putting yourself in the right positions to succeed. The wall is there to make whatever is on the other side worth it.
Life is about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.
Link for Rocky’s speech:
I appreciate you.
-JP