MODERN MYTH MESSAGES: ROCKY IV... !

 

ADRIAN: (on top of steps) Rocky?

ROCKY: (entering his house) Yeah.

ADRAIN: You alright?

ROCKY: Yeah. I'm alright.

ADRIAN: Why'd you do it? (agree to fight the man who just killed his best friend in the ring)

ROCKY: I just gotta do what I gotta do.

ADRIAN: You don't have to do anything.

ROCKY: No Adrian, I do. I gotta leave this place to.

ADRIAN: So, where are you going?

ROCKY: They said they're gonna let me train in Russia. I just wanna go someplace where I ain't gonna think about nothin' but him.

ADRIAN:  Rocky, give it some time. Don't do this. A lot of people live with hurt.

ROCKY: Adrian, a lotta people don't have a choice. I do.

ADRIAN: And for that, you're willing to lose everything!

ROCKY: Adrian, this ain't everything. (Looking around his mansion) This house, the cars, and everything else we got. That ain't everything! There's a lot more than this Adrian. 

ADRIAN:  Before there were reasons to fight. I could understand that. I don't understand this. Even if you win, what have you won.  Apollo is still gone. Why can't you change your thinking. Everybody else does!

ROCKY:  (swiftly turning to face her)  Cause I'm a fighter! That's the way I'm made Adrian. That's what you married. We can't change what we are. 

ADRIAN:  (softly) Yes you can.

ROCKY: All we can do is just go with what we are. 

ADRIAN:  You can't just go with what you are! Have you read the papers! Do you know what everybody says! It's suicide! You've seen em. You know how strong he is! You can't win!!

ROCKY: (Solemn) Adrian. Adrian always tells the truth. No, maybe I can't win. Maybe the only thing I can do is just take everything he's got. But to beat me, he's going to have to kill me.  And to kill me he's going to have the heart to stand in front of me. And to do that, he's gotta be willing to die himself. I don't know if he's ready to do that.  (Turns and leaves the mansion)

The extraordinary appeal of the Rocky movie franchise continues to inspire a "largesse legion of fans" even after the initial films release way back in 1976. It's largely due to their innate ability in using the boxing ring as a metaphor to "the hard knocks of life" that is a grand portion of The Superhero's Journey. Rocky's journey is very much the same as ours. Full of exasperating highs and devastating blows that often knocks are asses back to the proverbial mat time and time again! 

His path personifies the motivating message: it is NOT how many times you get knocked down, but rather how many times that you "get back up!" Because one of the key characteristics of Super Heroic Success is perseverance.  As world renown ferocity expert and best selling author Steven Kotler says, "The ass kicking life gives you never stops!' PREACH! 

The opponents Rocky faces in the ring are direct metaphors for all the mountains we must face and climb in our own lives. One step, one punch, one round at a time! Always re-member you are MUCH greater than any obstacle or situation life "throws at you." And what would it look like to transcend whatever challenge that currently stands before you as no thing less than a Soul Sent opportunity to learn, grow, and evolve into the next "Grandest Vision of YOU!" Because that is EXACTLY all that monster of a mountain really represents.  It is an opportunity for you to be further strengthened and forged in an area that still requires healing, remembrance, and then expansion for your highest good! TRUST!  


BE SUPER HEROIC!
LOVE - SERVE - INSPIRE

Nerdmaste,

Jeffrey Louis Martinez