Rocky's Advice Corner

                                  You might not expect that a 1976 movie about an underdog, Philadelphia boxer can offer so many relevant life lessons today, but there’s good reason the film won Oscars for: Best Film Editing, Best Director and Best Picture, beside nominations in an additional seven categories, as well as other awards and nominations (Golden Globes, BAFTA, etc.). Let’s see what lesson we can learn from Balboa’s interaction with Little Marie, played by Jodi Letizia (a twelve year old smart-mouthed girl). Rocky escorts the preteen home after catching her hanging on the corner with older kids.                          https://youtu.be/_3wLG5DwFN0

Why do you think you don’t have a boyfriend, because ya hanging

out with those coconuts on the corner, ya understand? Ya hang around

with coconuts ya get nowhere. Their lemons…Lemons.

Ya hang out with nice people ya get nice friends, you understand.

You hang out with smart people you get smart friends. You hang out with yoyo

People you get yoyo friends. You see it’s simple mathematics.

                Rocky’s simplistic view on who you surround yourself with, is brilliant. Choose your crew wisely, don’t settle for people that are most proximal and convenient, instead find people that make you feel best and display qualities that you admire. As humans we tend to act similar to the people we spend the most time with, so if your posse isn’t elevating you, rethink your loyalties.

               

Staying true to yourself doesn’t mean you have to continue unfruitful relationships with lifelong acquaintances, unless of course you’re not interested in improving your station in life. Your friendship and loyalty are a gift and the kid down the street, you grew up with, isn’t entitled to it just because you went to grade school together. That isn’t to say you should cut ties with your pals, but are they all pulling their weight?

                Are you pulling your weight as a friend? Do you elevate the people around you? If not why do you expect anyone to return that favor? So be a good friend. Friendship is forgiving an individual’s every transgression. Don’t allow differences in opinions, points of view or ethics to cause unnecessary rifts in relationships. Support and understanding are two things few have in quantity, so offer it to those you hold dearest as often as possible and maybe you’ll see that gift reciprocated.

              If this unsolicited advice finds you unreceptive, Little Marie sums it up best, "Screw you Creepo".