We all learn something new every day whether we know it or not. It could be learning a new word or learning a new recipe; either way, we continue to learn as we grow. I've always learned from my family and they've taught me well over the years, but that’s not the only way I learned life lessons. Being a movie fanatic and a sports fan, I’ve learned various lessons through movies, in particular sports movies and they've eventually become my favorite movies.
"Coach Carter"
Image Credit: quotesgram
Coach Ken Carter: What’s your deepest fear?
Worm: Why he keep saying that? “What’s your deepest fear?” What’s that mean?
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us…”
Living to see 21 years, I never fully understood what this quote meant either until one day it came to me. If I’m honest with myself, college was the scariest thing I thought I ever had to do in my entire life. Meeting new people, leaving my family, making my own decisions - was pretty scary, but I managed to get through it. I was afraid to stand out and wanted to hide behind a wall. I was afraid of letting my light shine and wondered how others would react. I knew I was able to break through my shell but I was hiding behind the darkness of being scared to succeed. Now I have peaked through the darkness and into the light and have become the woman I was bond to be. Even though I am still learning, with this quote by my side – anything is possible.
"Gridiron Gang"
Image Credit: BET
Sean Porter: Is it gonna be like this forever? Killing each other because you were born five blocks in the wrong direction? How about we call peace here?
Yeah, why can’t we call peace here? I live for keeping the peace wherever I go and I guess that’s the Libra inside of me. It shouldn’t matter where someone comes from, all that matters is what’s in the future, away from the bad. The two inmates in this movie, Willie Weathers and Kevin Owens, lived in two separate blocks and were enemies, but playing on the football team together caused the two gang members to become friends, eventually saving each other's lives. So as Sean Porter said, “Is it gonna be like this forever?” the answer should be no. Things that happened in the past should stay in the past and shouldn’t affect the future. If I was stuck hating the same person for years I wouldn’t be the peaceful person I am today.
"The Blind Side"
Image Credit: cinemablend
Beth: You’re changing that boy’s life.
Leigh Anne Touhy: No he’s changing mine.
In this movie, Leigh Anne Touhy takes in a boy named Michael Oher, who was homeless and didn’t have anywhere else to go. Mrs. Touhy made him a part of her family – which included her husband and two kids. She soon realized that helping this unfortunate boy, made her come closer to finding herself and changing her life. I enjoy and thrive for helping people whether or not I get something in return. Each time I aid someone, it makes me feel great about my life and how I was able to help someone feel great about themselves as well. I wouldn’t feel right about myself knowing someone needed my help, family or friends, and I wasn’t there for them.
"Hardball"
Image Credit: metamanison
Connor O’Neill: I want you guys to take a good look at yourselves and feel proud. We made it here. We’re here. What I’ve learned from you is that really one of the most important things in life is showing up. I’m blown away by your ability to show up through everything that’s gone on.
I was 12-years-old when this movie came out and I still watch it today. In this movie, ten little league baseball players, growing up in a bad neighborhood, never felt like they had a chance in life until Connor O’Neill became their coach. It took me awhile to fully comprehend what he was saying, but when I became older it was clear. I have made it to see 2016 and I do take a “good look at [myself] and feel proud.” Nothing good comes out of anything if one never shows up. It is up to the individual to seize an opportunity to show up, no matter what is going on in one’s life. I always try to show up, even though I don’t want to in certain places, I always know it will be worth it sooner or later.
