win rocky, win

there is a truly inspiring moment in the first installment of the rocky franchise during the climactic fight scene when heavyweight champion apollo creed has just knocked out pugnacious challenger rocky balboa with what seems to be the deciding blow of the match. the camera lingers on the champ for a few seconds as a smile gradually forms on the face of the exhausted yet seemingly victorious title holder. suddenly the camera cuts to an image of the scrappy contender slowly pulling himself up off the canvas just as the referee reaches a count of ten. the fight will continue for another round. at that moment, the camera jumps back to the champion, but this time an expression of utter resignation begins to consume the nearly-spent incumbent. it's as if the champ has just concluded that no matter how much damage he inflicts upon the underdog balboa, he will never be able to put away the tenacious challenger.

i was reminded of that classic cinematic moment this afternoon when one of my charges asked me, somewhat pointedly, if i thought he would be able to compete against the others when he begins classes this fall at a rather prestigious canadian university. of course, you'll be able to compete. what a silly question. why wouldn't you be able to compete? i inquired. "well, i am the first person in my family to attend university," he responded. yeah, that's true, i suppose. but somebody in your family has to be the first to attend. so why not you? "yeah, i guess. but so many of them come from money. and so many of them have the connections that i will never have."

so what was i supposed to say? the truth is that money and connections do provide an unfair advantage in this society. but there was a factor that could still provide some balance in the equation. a factor that could help to tip the scales back in favour of my young charge. the factor? plain, old-fashioned determination. let me explain.

apollo creed eventually came to recognize that rocky balboa would never accept defeat as an option. and so, by the time rocky 3 had finally rolled around, apollo had learned to embrace the role of friend and mentor to the new champion. similarly, when you show them that you will never accept a role as a subordinate, they will eventually learn to embrace you as their equal. what choice do they have? they tried to vanquish you and they failed. like everyone else then, they still wish to maintain some measure of dignity and honour. in the face of your relentless perseverance, they will inevitably surrender to your firmness of conviction.

"knock me down and i'll get back up again. battered and bruised i may be, but never beaten. hit me with your best shot and i'll come back for more." - anonymous

whatever happened to ms. b?: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A4xBp2rizQ