The Move
Johnny: “There is nothing to be nervous about, alright? Just relax, be cool, when the time is right, make your move.”
Miguel: “Move, what move, I don’t have a move, what’s my move?”
[From the hit Netflix series Cobra Kai (2018) that continues the rivalry between Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence begun in the 1984 film The Karate Kid]
In my basement there are many trophies on display. All except for one belong to my children. My one trophy is the 102 lb. Wrestling Champ that I won in 1976 when I was in eighth grade. I remember winning that trophy like it was yesterday. I was wrestling a more talented and stronger competitor. He had me beat in points. It was getting late in the third period and I knew that I had to do something. I knew that the only way I would win was with a pin. So, I looked for my opportunity, and I made my move. I stepped around him, wrapped my arms around his waist, and took him down, onto his back. We were near the edge of the matt and he tried to jimmy his way off – out of bounds – to force the referee to break us up. I pressed as hard as I could against his chest, knowing full well that this was it; I would not get a second chance. I closed my eyes and kept pressing his back onto the matt. Then I heard the sound all wrestlers love to hear – unless it is their back against the matt – the sound of the referee’s hand hitting the matt. The next thing I knew, my hand was raised in victory! I remember how excited I was, jumping up and down! It was awesome!
I tell this story because it reminds me that sometimes all you need is that one move. The one move that will turn it all around and allow you to raise your hand in victory. The one move that no matter what has happened until then, you come out on top! You can find yourself in need of that move in sports, work, and in life in general. You might need to resort to the one move that can make all the difference, the one move that will make you jump up for joy! That is what Daniel Larusso did in The Karate Kid when – with one leg injured – he used the “Crane” stance to win the match! So, let me ask you, what is your move?