Hmm….When choosing today’s topic, I recalled writing about the 9-11 Survivor Stairs in September. And in reviewing my notebook of blog ideas, I see I have several other possible posts involving staircases. I may need to sign up for psychotherapy just to determine if there is some unresolved issue from my past regarding steps.

Regardless, I’m hoping my readers remember the ORIGINAL Rocky movie. You know…the one from 1976. If not, you need to stop what you’re doing this moment and contact Netflix. Or stream it. Or use whatever method is yours to find and watch it now.

I love this movie. And I’m not the only one. According to Wikipedia, “In 2006, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”  I had no idea.

A favorite moment of the film for many people comes after Rocky has spent a month in serious training. He ends a final workout session by running up the gazillion (OK, actually there are only 72) steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, leaping two and three stairs at a time. Reaching the top, Rocky bounces in place and pumps his arms above his head in triumph.  

According to the Visit Philadelphia website, the Rocky Statue and the steps leading to the entrance of the Museum (now affectionately nicknamed the Rocky Steps) are two of the most popular attractions in Philadelphia.

And as Sheldon Cooper of Big Bang fame would say, “Fun Fact: The Philadelphia Museum of Art’s “Rocky Steps” were named the second most famous movie location in the entire world.” (That’s according to Screen Junkies, a TV and movie site published by Break Media.)

So Rocky’s triumphant run up those steps is definitely awe-inspiring.

But being the outlier that I am, I also like the scene that shows Rocky’s first training session. That’s where he gets up at o-dark thirty, drinks a concoction of raw eggs, pulls on sweats, and he’s out the door running in the pre-dawn streets of Philadelphia.

Uhh….he’s not in the best of shape. By the time he reaches the Museum steps, he’s faltering, holding his side. He loosely stumbles up the steps, pausing for a breath here and there. Finally making it to the top, there is no triumph. He’s hunched over, just trying to breathe. Rocky can’t even look up to enjoy the beautiful purple dawn casting its light over the city.

No words, but we know what he’s thinking because we’ve all been there. Why did I agree to do this? I’m not the best person for this.  We say, “There are others who are smarter, quicker, better educated, stronger, funnier, prettier, more handsome, more outgoing, more (fill in your own personal description of what you think you lack) than I am.”  I can’t do this.

But Rocky perseveres. He keeps training. He takes better care of himself. And in the boxing match, against all odds, he makes it through all fifteen rounds. That was his goal: to stay the course, to keep on his feet, until the end.

Not everyone liked this movie, of course. Many critics called it sappy and sentimental.

But surely Rocky’s message is a good one for each of us. Stay the course, persist despite hardship, don’t stay down when you’ve been knocked down. Take those gazillion steps two and three at a time!

To my readers: Do you have a story to share about persevering against all odds?