Yo Adrian! Brushing My Teeth and Wisdom from Rocky

The last Rocky film, Rocky Balboa, didn't get fantastic reviews. Maybe because the plot was predicable and we had seen five Rocky films before it. Despite this discouraging reputation, when the film was on one afternoon last summer I watched it because it was still more entertaining than 7th Heaven or Dr. Oz. Yeah, I saw most "twists" in the plot before they were even hinted at coming, but a year later I actually have realized I learned something. While watching the credits right after the film there were morals of the story floating around my head, but at the time they didn't leave an impression. But now I year later, while brushing my teeth, it hit me.
These are the four lessons I caught from Rocky Balboa:

1) Don't be afraid to be kind.
 I've found that it easy is to fall into a habit of being disgruntled and unsociable. Maybe it's because   we're lazy or afraid of rejection but despite the easy ornery way to treat others, kindness can make a difference and is always the right choice.

2) Don't be afraid to try something new.
Whether it's an ice cream flavor, a new book or rock climbing. Even if we aren't successful the first or ninth attempt, accepting a challenge and attempting changes us for the better. We're stronger whether it is mentally, physically, emotionally or spiritually. Whether you accept the challenge and fail doesn't matter, because right now you have nothing to lose as you've not yet gained something to lose.

3) Stay close to your family.
Time and distance don't change a family if we make an effort to be thoughtful and show we care to the ones we love. Families can be forever and we need to value these sacred relationships. Love doesn't keep if left on a shelf, love is an action and a choice. Show your family what they mean to you.

4) Change can be okay.
Have you ever been dumped? It's awful. No, Rocky doesn't get dumped in the movie necessarily. Adrian has died and Rocky has to move on. In the film Rocky really struggles with this and we see that holding on to it too tightly to the past can stunt our present. Somethings things have to change and it can be okay. Maybe not right now it feels great, but when we accept change and let it happen it can be okay. It's not necessarily bad,  just different. A new growing experience for a new time.

Embrace the future, accept the past and show love and kindness to those around you.