It seems to me, underdog movies do quite well at the box office, especially in sports. Just a few examples of many are, The Rookie, Rocky, Rudy & Seabiscuit. (Apparently, many of them start with the letter R, too.) One of my personal favorite underdog stories has nothing to do with sports called, Gattaca.
Perhaps there is something inside all of us that knows we can do it, and those movies remind us. It’s my belief that we all have the power in us to accomplish great things. There is too much cutting down of the human spirit these days. The media certainly doesn’t inspire us, but rather, contributes to the dampening of spirits. In addition, many people are so focused on material gratification, they don’t see the inner potential of spirit.
What does all of this have to do with juice, you ask? All right, I’ll tell you. If athletic underdog stories inspire us, then when an athlete juices, it sheds doubt on the greater potential of the human spirit. If someone needs the aid of drugs to accomplish great athletic heights, then the message is … we can’t do anything exceptional without material gratification to get us through.
In July of 2013, I wrote a blog about a depression I faced due to a heartbreak in my life. I hated when people told me to take anti-depressants to help me through. Didn’t they think I had the strength to handle it on my own? Didn’t they think my inner spirit would prevail? Oh yes, I’ve heard it before, they were only trying to help. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against medical intervention for serious illnesses. But, when we experience some type of loss, isn’t grief … depression, natural? Isn’t it supposed to teach us something? Once we overcome, aren’t we our own underdog stories?
Back to the topic at hand. It’s more than disappointing to hear the latest story about a “great” baseball player who juiced to help him achieve his “greatness.” Not that he had displayed any kind of integrity anyway, but using the aid of drugs cuts down the human spirit.
Do you have an underdog story about yourself or someone you love (not necessarily relating to sports)? If you do, consider telling it on your blog. Let me know if you do, and I will put up your link when I post my weekend wisdom quote. Any time you share an inspirational story, be it tomorrow, next week, next month or next year, let me know. I still would like to link to it. The more inspirational stories told, the more positive energy we spread across the world.
Lori's Lane 
We pathologize everything unfortunately and hardly talk about personal accountability or virtue anymore. Oh, I never tell any inspirational stories haha but thanks for asking. 🙂 We oughta have more confidence in each other and ourselves like your underdog movies.
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Perhaps your stories aren’t inspirational, but they’ve made me think. 🙂 Thanks for reading and commenting, Mr. Pete.
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Of course!
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Lori, I am glad you were able to listen to your own inner knowing when going through that very painful time. You knew that you needed to experience it fully. I honor you, my friend.
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Thank you for understanding, Kathy.
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Sneaking in this back post to wish you a happy weekend filled with listening to inner knowing, Lori.
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Hee, hee, thank you Kathy. Thank you also for being my only click for today, so far. Heh. I’m drafting a blog right now and saw you there. You have a warm, cozy Sunday settling into the Kathy within. 🙂
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I feel sad being your only click today (although the clicks on my blog are underwhelming as well). Your blog is inspiring and beautiful–don’t let clicks ever stop you from sharing. (And I won’t either.)
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Don’t feel sad about being my only click. I’m happy you came over and made the zero disappear from my stats page. 🙂 We’ll stick together and not stop sharing. Here’s to more beautiful blogging.
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NOW who’s the optimist? *grin*
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Oh, and thank you so much for your kind words about my blog. They made me warm inside.
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I have under dog stories. However, when I read the blog you sent us to, I am overwhelmed at what she did. Thanks for sharing the link.
I trust not the truth from any athlete of today.
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Isn’t that story amazing, and all she went through to honor those people? So cool. If you ever find yourself posting an inspirational story, I’d be honored to link to it, Miss Linda.
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Thanks.
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I can’t think of any at the moment, but those movies you listed sure do speak volumes alright!
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If you ever find yourself posting any kind of inspirational story, I’d be honored to link to it. BTW, your story about the teacher in Chile was inspirational.
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Thank you! especially for your kind words 🙂 I wonder if my story about Senorita Rosa would work for the topic. hmm!
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For what topic? My inspirational and/or underdog topic? For sure. I could put the link up on my next quote of you’d like me to.
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If it’s alright 🙂 on the underdog one I never thought or experienced it :S
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I can’t think of any great underdog stories on a personal basis right now (though I’m sure they’re there, lost among all the other things my brain has trouble finding…), but I love movies about underdogs as well. My latest manuscript has an underdog in it. Then again, I suppose on some level, most fiction does.
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Oh yes, our protagonists are likely an underdog in some sense. Some stories are heavy on the underdog theme though, which do well. If you ever do find yourself posting any type of inspirational story, I’d be honored to link to it. BTW, I’m in the middle of your novel and just read a really freaky surprise (mini Sydney). Love it!
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Oh, how nice! Thanks for your support in reading it! Hope you enjoy the rest. 🙂
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