It’s not easy. Especially now and in today’s economy of culture. You have to work hard and you have to be okay with the grind. Even when you don’t want to do it. I remember seeing and hearing this quote for the first time and it’s one that has always stuck with me from Balboa. Really Sylvester Stallone.
“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 you 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.
Until you start believing in yourself, you ain’t gonna have a life.”
– Sylvester Stallone, Rocky Balboa
Working for the upside is exactly the way the quote above reads. Nothing hits as hard as life and it will keep you on your knees if you let it. To keep moving forward when you’re getting hit from every conceivable angle with negativity or people telling you you’re not good enough…well that’s hard to take. I know what I am worth. People and things don’t show me that. My resiliency and my perseverance through struggle does. I will get out of life what I am worth. Not at the expense of those around me or for their gratitude or praise, but because I need to do it for myself.
When I started to believe in myself, that’s when things really became clear to me. My path although hard, was lit. The upside was revealed. No amount of downside anymore was able to take my joy away from me.
Your upside is there for you too. I’d love to help, but that journey isn’t one I or anyone around you can take. It’s one you have to take. I know you got it in you. You’re reading this to find it or at least get some sense about it through someone else. Look deep. Go for a walk in place you’ve never been to open yourself up. Find your way forward.
The life you’ve wanted is there, waiting. But you’ll have to take some punches first. You’ll need to be tested first. It is how winning is done. If it was easy, everyone would be winning. Not everyone is willing to go there to find the upside. You’re here now, you’re taking your first step now. Moving forward one slow step at a time is still moving forward.
✌🏻 Shawn
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