What Make's Someone Tough

I was asked today what makes someone tough and it got me thinking

I was asked today, “What makes someone ‘Tough?”

My initial thought was the fact that I can beat you up.

That isn’t what makes someone tough, 

That’s ego rearing it’s head.

Once I got over myself I gave it more thought.

This is what I came up with, 

Although less poetic in my head.

What being tough means to me,

Is more than strength or athletic ability.

Toughness is measured not in your skill set,

But how you’d overcome when your match is met.

Perseverance to get you past that wall,

That extra push to catch the ball.

That moment when you dig deep inside,

To show them no matter what,

 You’ll leave with pride.

When you’re two rounds down in the championship fight,

And you come out swinging with all your might.

Win, lose or draw you always try your best

Heart pounding it’s way through your chest.

That’s what makes you tough,

Not giving up when things are rough,

Live today to fight tomorrow…

That’s time I’d choose not to borrow.

Special thanks to MMA Coach Lanik.

Reviews

[smurfett]

You have an awesome outlook. You have a great gift of writing. Nicely done!!

[That_Guy]

Too kind haha. Thanks again. I truly appreciate your reviews and comments

[KAOlmsted]

...but being able to beat somebody up is cool, too ;-)

I liked this piece because it shows the inner-workings of a quote-unquote tough guy. Anybody, really, can beat the snot out of someone, but it takes a real man to dig down deep and understand it's more about the ability to walk away with pride even if he's been beat...very nicely done.

-kimmer ;-)

[That_Guy]

I've definitely got someone in mind I'd like to destroy right now...

Exactly, I'm glad you understand that. I've been to focused on my body as of late, I need to get back in the mental aspect.

[KAOlmsted]

Yes, well, errm...we have all been a little focused on your body as of late *laugh*

Ooooh...throw down on WC; or is this a pesky real-life scenario?

[That_Guy]

Glad I'm not alone ;)

both

[Kaylor Mason]

It's not me you're after, is it?

[Kaylor Mason]

Geez I hope not

[KAOlmsted]

The little voice in my head wants to say something inappropriate, so I just shoved a banana in its mouth ;-)

And whatever it is...don't hesitate to call on me to kick the f****r when he's down *laugh*

[That_Guy]

@Kailer haha no way bro I don't want to get shot we're cool ;)

@ Kimmer Censorship is never fun but the banana image is ok.

but Ground and Pound and Jiu Jitsu are my specialty heh, thanks though ;)

[Kaylor Mason]

Cool. When I was younger I sparred a lot, but i never fought--I would go out of my way to avoid fighting, due to the problems of corrupt courts and Chicago law. I even wrote about that in A Beautiful Friendship, posted up here--that's one of my few autobiographical pieces up here. I'd love for you to read it

And don't worry--I would never shoot you, or anyone, unless it truly was life or death, and there was no other way. That's the whole point of carrying a weapon--to have it ready, but avoid using it. :)

Target shooting is simply my favorite sport--well, anything martial is, really :) [Shooting is one of the hardest martial arts disciplines to learn, too]

[That_Guy]

understandable. I"ll check it out now.

absolutely I have my CCW Permit allowing me to carry a concealed weapon for that very reason. I USE my Second Amendment right.

I'm a decent shot myself, I got a steady hand. it's definitely takes time and practice like everything else though

[Kaylor Mason]

Yeah. I'm going to get my CCW permit when I can afford it--the wheels all turn with money [sigh] :)

[Kaylor Mason]

Good for you, that you use your Second Amendment right! You're a man after my own heart! ;)

[That_Guy]

I hate when the fiscal means dictates the pace of life

[Angie Diane♥&hea..]

This was a good write. I enjoyed it :D
I agree with it as well. Thanks for sharing. :3

[That_Guy]

why thank you, I'm proud of this one

[Angie Diane♥♥]

You better be. It's great :3

[MissEpic2902]

i love this alot! It speaks volumes about a person's determination and tenasity!! :)

[That_Guy]

thank you, I agree ;)

[MissEpic2902]

Lol i'm glad ;) and your welcome!

[Karen666]

That’s what makes you tough,
Not giving up when things are rough,
Live today to fight tomorrow…
That’s time I’d choose not to borrow.

i love the last 4 lines. so true very true. i had a bf that liked to box :)

[That_Guy]

thank you. I've done a little boxing but it bores me when I can't throw a kick or knee, legally ;)

[Karen666]

Nice. ;)

[Baby Ricochet]

ARRG!!!! Look at Baby Ricochet's avitar. That's the face of tough.

[That_Guy]

Haha you are right. Damn I love that Avatar!

[Stanley Wilson]

great work reminded me of cinderella man enjoyed the poem it very much

[That_Guy]

Great story, I"m flattered. Thank you

[Boy of the red]

this poem can be worked on all levels of challenges. emotional, physical, and mental. i think i could relate to all three. well done

[That_Guy]

Thanks mate I appreciate it

[JGIII]

This piece evoked "Cinderella Man". Not the fights necessarily but the parts where James Braddock swallows his pride and goes to the welfare office to beg for help. Also where he heads to the docks and works one handed until he heals up.
When you’re two rounds down in the championship fight,
And you come out swinging with all your might.
Win, lose or draw you always try your best
Heart pounding it’s way through your chest.
Brought back memories of when I fought Danny Kelly in Kansas City in 2000. Caught me in the throat with a punch after I kicked and left my leg dangling out there for him to catch. Duke Roufus was in his corner, saw I'd been getting sloppy with my kicks and made a smart coaching call. Fought the rest of the fight woozy but I gave him hell in round two. First time I was dropped. Good poem, too me back there for a minute.

[That_Guy]

Great movie, better story. I take the reference as a great compliment thanks. counter straight to the throat.. ouch. Duke Roufus knows his kickboxing that's for sure. Thank you Man.

[JGIII]

yes he does. That's the game. I miss it but I'm old now and I prefer to indulge my competitive urges by lifting heavy things in front of people.

[That_Guy]

It nice to hear that competitive drive never dies

[JGIII]

Yeah I watched Driven and it was sad to hear Jens Pulver struggle to deal with the reality of his approaching retirement. I'm glad I had something else to turn to after competing. It helped that I originally got into it not to compete but because I couldn't fight and got sick of being bullied. I started competing mostly because I felt I couldn't really advance my ability unless I competed against other trained fighters. Shame a lot of "self defense" instructors don't tell their people that and their students walk away with a false sense of security. Competition tells you where the holes in your game are before a mugger does some dark night. Anyway I was scared of getting fat and I had all that weight in my garage so there you go.

[That_Guy]

Jens was one the early on greats. every guy on the street thinks he's tough until he eats a leg kick. no training and leg kicks will destroy people. I completely understand. and absolutely agree. haha oh yeah

[ba_mcfarlane]

I absolutely love the power and theme of this! It resonates with me like that a big cathedral bell. Every word is perfect, never change a thing!
It calls to mind a favourite film dialogue. De Niro, as a bus driver, telling his son to not idolize the mobbed up guys in the neighbourhood.
"The tough guys are the ones who go to work every day for their families. Those are the tough guys." This piece will stay with me in the same way.
Bravo Bravo!

[That_Guy]

Thank you very much. It makes me feel great to hear that. Not to mention A Bronx Tale is a great movie ;)

[ba_mcfarlane]

I love most all of Di Niro's earlier stuff. Too bad he didn't cast somebody like Johnny Depp as his son. That actor in that role was feeble. I've seen tree stumps with more talent.

[That_Guy]

I absolutely agree