Was listening to Jen Foster today. Awesome words which struck a chord in my heart.
When everyone's above you, there's nowhere you can go
When nobody calls you, 'cause it's all in who you know
When the self-righteous say they're for you, telling you to win this fight
Nobody understands you, no they don't know what it's like
Coz we are the underdogs.
Could relate to it completely. As I am writing this article, am watching the IPL final Clash between the Deccan Chargers & Royal Challengers Bangalore (Ahem, am forced to support Bangalore this year, what with three huge Bangalore fans in the family- My Dad, Mom & Pavan). To think of it, Twenty20 cricket has always belonged to the underdogs, ain't it? Who would have imagined a final clash between Deccan & Banglore this season, the No. 8 & 7 teams of last season? Who can forget India's against-all-odds classic victory at the Twenty20 world championship. Another classic example is the last year championship winners, Rajastan Royals...they won when the chips were down & lost when when they WERE the hype...touché anyone?????
All of which made me think, we all love underdogs, don't we? How is it we so often relate with the one in the midst of the struggle, the one that won't surrender, the one who battles against the odds and through perseverance triumphs in victory. It is this person that makes us feel alive, that brings out our character that we've buried inside. Perhaps the reason why we love to hear about stories like David and Goliath. Perhaps the reason why movies like 'Lagaan', 'Chak-De India', 'Rocky Balboa' & 'Pursuit of Happyness' hit a home-run with many of us. The tail of the underdog wags proudly everywhere we go.
You see, there is a part of us, inside us all, one that perhaps feels trapped, controlled, and prevented from realizing our dreams. We all wanna do something hatke, but are trapped by our own insecurities which prevents us from doing precisely that. Can be anything- fear of failure, fear of loss of face, fear of rejection etc etc etc. And when we see another conquer these demons, champion over adversity or seize the day, we are one with them and in their glory, we feel as if nothing is impossible. We all try to live to live our lives through the victory of the underdogs.
But one thing really really amazes me. Our preference for the underdog is a mile long but an inch deep. When push comes to the shove, how many of us actually have the guts to rely on the underdogs? Take the example of you wanting to get a thing done by somebody, say something as mundane as painting a house. And there are only two people who can do it. So would you prefer an experienced guy in that field or a talented novice??? Therein lies the answer. So while we root for the underdog, we only root until it does not affect our self-interest. The hypocrisy of humans at play here again.
Whatever it is, the underdog theory rules. So the next time, you find yourself siding with the underdog, understand it is as much about you, as it is about them.
(P.S Going by this Underdog theory, one of the two next year IPL Finalists would be Mumbai Indians. Yipeee!!!! And therein lies my true loyalty....and the real purpose of writing this article. LOL!! )
