02-16-19
I think most everyone in their life has experienced being the “underdog.” It’s not a great sensation, feeling like you’re pushed into a corner, and it’s a “do or, do not,” situation because when you’re the underdog, there is no “try.” This doesn’t change the fact that we love watching the story of the underdog unfold.
Many of us have grown up with stories such as David vs. Goliath—one of the ultimate “underdog” stories—we want to see the meek victorious over the strong. These moments of hope, courage, and desperation make for an authentic struggle that is as old as time itself. When we see someone or something overcoming all odds, we begin to believe that it’s possible for ourselves to face the insurmountable.
In the moments I’ve found myself in this position I recall an opportunity to trust in myself entirely and go all in; I’d like to say it worked out favorably every time, alas I cannot. It worked out how it was supposed to, I trust that wholeheartedly.
When I listen to this song, two sides always come up to me. First, there’s the element which acts as an empowering battle cry. The second is a warning to those lacking humility and perspective. So it ultimately leaves me with this thought: the moment we stop striving towards excellence when we stop listening to others because “we know best,” this is when we become most susceptible to being beaten by the underdog.
Lyrics:
Picture yourself in the living room
your pipe and slippers set out for you
I know you think that it ain’t too far
But I hear the call of a lifetime ring
felt the need to get up for it
oh you cut out the middleman
get free from the middleman
You got no time for the messenger,
got no regard for the thing that you don’t understand,
you got no fear of the underdog,
that’s why you will not survive!