I root for the underdog.
In the past I've never really thought to figure out why, it's just something I know in my gut. Like a huge, messy mass that twists within me. I couldn't get rid of it if I tried. It's entangled with my thoughts, my emotions, my beliefs and values. It's so much a part of me, it's not going to let go - even when I want it to.
It's not always easy rooting for the underdog, especially if you're an early bird. You get a lot of strange looks. It's easier to like winners, to be with winners, to support winners, be seen with winners...
I have a vague recollection as a child making a conscious decision to root for the underdog. I'm thinking that might be kinda weird. Whether it was sports, or on the playground. I used to bully the bullies picking on the underdog. Ironic, I know. I think my height gave me a freaky confidence. As a young girl in school through the 6th grade I was one of the tallest kids in the class...a bit big for my britches, you could say. However, in 7th grade, this began to change dramatically. Boys shot up all around me, girls as well. I shrank and humbled - a bit.
As a teenager and an adult I became an underdog myself in various ways, and my desire to root for the underdog did not waiver.
It grew. Yet, I did soften even more and stopped bullying the bullies. Ironically, I began reaching out to them.
There are plenty of bully types all around us, and especially in prison. But don't be fooled... they are underdogs.
Not to be feared, but cheered and championed to a future.
This week at the first class of Getting Motivated to Change I stared into the incarcerated faces of 12 men. No, not angry. Some quiet, some profound, some desperate for attention, others soft spoken... My desire to root for the underdog stirred with a vengeance.
Sometimes I question if I am a fool to root for this. Sometimes I think I'm a glutton. It hurts. It's risky. It's a long road. And it's so. very. messy. But still this thing, this desire, doesn't go away. I blame God for it. Some days, I praise him for it. I don't pretend to fully understand all that's behind it. But something I do know? When the underdog wins, when there is unexpected success, it can bring us to our feet with cheers, make us tremble with joy, and drench our shirt sleeves with snot and tears. These are the things that movies get made about. These are the things that inspire us.
And for better or worse, this is what keeps me alive.
