When I was a boy I went to see Rocky IV with my family. I was young enough to not realize that the good guys win in the end, so I was tense and nervous during the whole movie. We all know how it ends, and it was a memory for me that I still remember.
When I was a little older I saw the movie Hoosiers. If you haven’t seen Hoosiers it is one of the best sports films ever made, and the best basketball movie ever made. Don’t disagree with me, nothing else comes close!
Both of these movies contain compelling storylines that are thrilling to watch and help to show us that nothing great can be earned easily. When you are a kid watching that movie, you are aware the journey and work are worth it for a result like that.
After watching Rocky IV I wanted to be like Rocky, beating his opponent, overcoming the impossible. It was cool! After watching Hoosiers, I dreamt of taking the last-second shot just like Jimmy Chitwood and winning the championship.
I raised my kids on “Captain No Eyes” stories (and Rocky movies plus Hoosiers) because I knew that storytelling would be effective in their young hearts and minds. Like in the aforementioned movies, inspiring my children to strive and shoot for something greater than themselves was possible and necessary. I hoped these stories would do just that.
Every night before bed, I put characters in front of my kids I wanted them to emulate. I wanted my children to be thrilled by the stories, and motivated to be that kid at school who stood up for the student who was weaker or in need, to keep their eyes off of themselves and towards others. I desired for them to be inspired to be like the good Captain No Eyes, who is fearless, strong, and kind.
As parents, we don’t expect our kids to be the next Rocky who unites a city or a basketball star that hits a last second shot. However, when our kids are taught throughout their childhood’s to look to what others need, their lives will be an adventure for good. That’s what this world needs, heroes that no one knows who are not interested In fame doing the right thing.
