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I read a great quote recently:

“You can determine the caliber of a man by the amount of opposition it takes to discourage him.”

Life can be discouraging sometimes can’t it?  How much does it take to discourage you?

I learned a long time ago that there are some people you want to go into battle with, and there are some you don’t.  Some people can take the hits – the opposition – and keep going.  Others seem to fold at the first sign of resistance.  I want to be the kind of man who continues to move forward in the face of opposition.  I want to be the kind of man who doesn’t get discouraged, who doesn’t lose heart when the going gets tough.

A high caliber person does not get discouraged in the face of opposition.  It’s been said that you know you are over the target when you are getting shot at.  So, if you feel some opposition coming against you, it may be because you are right where you need to be and are about to step into greater significance.

When I read this quote I couldn’t help but think of the movie Rocky Balboa.  It’s the story of an aging boxer Rocky Balboa, who has been out of the ring for a long time.  He spends his days in his restaurant telling stories of his “glory days”.  A series of fortunate events leads to an opportunity for him to step back into the ring for an exhibition against the reigning world heavyweight champion.  Because he has an aching feeling that there is “something left in the basement” of his soul that he needs to get out, he accepts the challenge.  His son, who has resented living in his father’s shadow, is embarrassed by this latest turn of events, decides to confront his dad and ask him not to do the fight, because of the further embarrassment he is going to have to deal with because of it.

One of the best parts of the movie is their discussion in an alley outside of Rocky’s restaurant when Rocky gives his son this life philosophy:

“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 you gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointin’ 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!”

So, when you start taking some hits in life do you keep going, or do you quit?  Do you move forward, or do you move out?  Do you dig deep, or do you drop out?  Do you take heart or lose heart?

We must choose to persevere in the midst of tough stuff.  Don’t pretend it’s not tough.  Don’t pretend everything is alright.  Be open and honest about the difficulty with those you trust and who can support you, and then keep going.  Like Nemo and Dori – “…just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming.”  Persevering is a choice, not a gift or an ability – it’s a choice to keep going, to keep showing up.  Sometimes the key to success is simply continuing to show up.

And you can do that.