“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 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 how hard you’re 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!”

Rocky Balboa

I have seen this clip or read this quote in many inspirational/motivational venues. It is one of the most recognizable quotes I’ve used, either because of the relatable content or the impassioned delivery. I must agree that it is very motivating, and on a personal note, I like to revisit it occasionally for a quick reminder. Life isn’t easy, that is not new information. It is a wonderful, joyous, and very rewarding journey. One that is also filled with challenges, obstacles, and opportunities to learn valuable lessons. The key, as stated in the quote, is to keep moving. Some days we won’t be able to move a great distance, but we must keep moving. Taking a knee occasionally to rest and re-group is necessary, but we must keep moving. Think back to a time when you thought you’d never persevere through a challenge that you were facing. Perhaps it seemed so overwhelming, and opposing, that you were not certain that you had enough to make it through successfully. Now notice I said “think back” to that time. It is behind you, you made it. It may not have been easy, or pretty, but you made it. You kept moving.

We are capable of some pretty amazing things when we can learn to just get out of our own way, stop self-imposing challenges, and KEEP MOVING. Take time today to really look at a current challenge that you are facing. Then explore ways that you can really move (even a step) further today. Take a hard look at yourself, and decide what you are worth, and what you deserve in life. No matter how big this challenge seems, you CAN keep moving beyond it. You’ve done it before, so why not now? It is your life, make it look exactly the way you want it to.