Daily Dialogue — July 16, 2018

“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 you 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 ya 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! You’re better than that! I’m always gonna love you no matter what. No matter what happens. You’re my son and you’re my blood. You’re the best thing in my life. But until you start believing in yourself, ya ain’t gonna have a life. Don’t forget to visit your mother.”

— Rocky Balboa (2006), written by Sylvester Stallone

The Daily Dialogue theme for the week: Advice.

Trivia: The film was partially inspired by the George Foreman-Michael Moorer fight in 1994. Foreman had formerly retired from boxing in 1977, but in 1987, the 38 year old had decided to make a comeback. This comeback culminated in 1994 when the, by then, 45 year old Foreman, challenged the 26 year old world heavyweight champion Michael Moorer. The fight took place on November 5 in Las Vegas. For nine rounds, Moorer toyed with Foreman, easily out-boxing him. Entering the tenth round, Foreman was trailing on all scorecards. However, in the tenth round, completely out of nowhere, Foreman landed a vicious shot to Moorer’s chin, knocking the younger man out and scoring a TKO victory, becoming the oldest world heavyweight champion in history.

Dialogue On Dialogue: Some advice requires a monologue such as here in Rocky Balboa. I especially like the coda: “Don’t forget to visit your mother.”