Cinderella Man

Watched Russell Crowe as Jim Braddock, the Heavyweight World Champion of boxing. Compelling story...good cast with thought provoking lines. For example, when Jim's sponsor warns him of his next contender and how he has a history of killing two of his opponents, Braddock says, "What are you trying to say? That boxing is dangerous? Working on the docks or on a scaffold can take a man's life just as easily. But you rich men haven't found a way to make money off of that yet".

Why are most boxers from poor backgrounds who have led lives as scrappy punks on the streets? My ex-boyfriend from college...he was a West Point cadet, from a very poor background, and boxed as his extracurricular activity. He was buffed and nicely cut from the sport itself but the fact that he awoke at 4:30am each morning to do PT was probably why he was in the best shape. Really nice, kind-hearted guy. Would drop everything to help someone in need. A bit naive in the social arena, lacks charisma and snappy comebacks but a very decent guy indeed.

We got in touch last year and he sought forgiveness for breaking up with me. He said the guilt festered and he could not come to terms with letting our families down but most of all letting me down. I told him with tears in my eyes, "You need to let it go! In fact, I should thank you for our relationship's end. I'm happily married to a superb man. And while it hurt for a long time after us, I grew a lot from it. I needed to have that experience to humble me a bit. And I am where I am now if it weren't for that..."

Hindsight is 20/20. And I'm so thankful that my path crossed with many wonderful people who helped me grow as a human being.