As Tough As Rocky

    Blood pours from his nose. His eyes are so swollen that it is a wonder that he can see. No matter how many times I watch them, the Rocky movies never get old. I have heard many people say that they are just a repeat of the same story. The story just changes a little bit and, guess who wins? Rocky Balboa, of course! However, I could never think that way about the movies that have come to mean so much more than just watching some boxing.

    Rocky starts off on the rough side of life. The side where surviving is a challenge and doing the bad things always seem to pay more than the “honest” way of life. He saunters through life with his heavy accent and gets mad when anyone calls him a “bum”, which seems like a pathetic insult to anyone living today. He has not tried anything too risky, but a good dose of caution comes from living on the streets. There is only so far that a person can go before things get ugly. He does not recognize the passion or the talent underneath his leather jacket and white t-shirt. He is okay where he's at and there is nothing wrong with that. Still, he tends to notice the beauty of simple things whether he knows it or not. This can be seen in his choice of pets or the girl he is in love with.

    Finally, the saga begins. One event changes his life forever. He has the invitation to fight a champion and the experience will rocket him from a “bum” to one of the greatest fighters of all time. We get to watch Rocky as he goes through life and continually wavers between retiring and taking on a challenge even bigger than the one before it. He marries, buys a house, and looses it. Has a son, but eventually looses his wife. His son grows, but becomes distant. All the while Rocky fights and fights hard.

    Usually, the plot of each movie is set up so that the present challenge seems more formidable or very near impossible when compared to the last. Once again, critics may call out-Guess who will win? Just take a moment. Picture yourself in that boxing ring. Blood is pouring from your nose, your lungs feel as if they will explode, you can barely see, and several of your teeth have been smashed in. Rocky bears a symbolic resemblance to life. I have led a life that is different from most of my friends, or different as far as I can see. We all have hard things in life, but they seem to be essentially different from what others have experienced around us. When we find someone that has been through a similar situation, only then can we truly relate. I know what it is like to stand in the face of life's blows and think- I will never get up, things will never change, people may never accept me. I'm through. I'm through with the pain, the heartache, and the crap that I have to take. I'm done. No more hits, no more pain .Take away this obstacle or I am going to jump out of the ring. Game over. Life is not perfect. It was not created that way. Some days I am not sure if it is a good idea to try again, because as Rocky once was, I am afraid. I get so sick of being hurt that it starts to ingrain fear in me. Fear of the next hit coming my way.

    My story is not new. After all, somebody already wrote the Rocky screenplay. They understood that fear can cause a person to stay in the same environment or routine. However, they also knew that beneath the fear is the willingness to fight for the good. Sometimes I am hit so hard that all I can see is my opponent above me, smiling. Then I hear a voice whisper and say- “I didn't hear no bell......” So I stand again, and each time I gain a little bit more of the heart to take on the next fight. Just like Rocky.