A Tribute to Forrest Gump

It has been 20 years since the amazingly produced, directed, and acted movie "Forrest Gump" changed American Cinema in 1994. This movie has always been a favorite of mine. If it is on TV I can't help but watch it, I love the DVD, I watch it when I travel on Netflix, and my daughter loves it too. Such a simple person with a appreciation for the true beauty and meaning of life. (Honestly I cry... I cry when Bubba passes, I cry when Forrest meets his son, and I cry when Jenny passes. I love love love the relationship with between Forrest and his Mother, Jenny, Bubba, Lieutenant Dan, and his beautiful son...)

There are some very simple lessons from such a very simple person:

1. If you notice at the beginning and end of the movie a feather is blowing in the wind... "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what your going to get."  Our lives are like the feathers blowing in the wind; we do not know our final destination at the beginning but we should make the best of every situation. Only one Person knows of true destiny. So while living our lives we must live with the intent to make every life opportunity the best opportunity. Be your best at whatever life throws at you, because life will throw you unforeseen circumstances. 

2. Live life loyal, Forrest was beyond loyal. He was loyal to Jenny, Lieutenant Dan, his Mother, Bubba, his son and all whom he loved. When Forrest made a promise he kept it - no matter what. When we make a promise to anyone in our lives, our ultimate goal should be to keep that promise with the utmost integrity. 

3. Explain things to people like they are children (in a non patronizing way, of course....) "Mama always had a way of explaining things so I could understand them" sometimes in business we believe that everyone knows what message we are trying to convey. Tailor your message for your audience and dumb it down; your more likely to make progress. 

4. Self reflection should be a conversation with yourself...

Forrest Gump: I had run for 3 years, 2 months, 14 days, and 16 hours.

Young Man Running: Quiet, quiet! He’s gonna say something!

Forrest Gump: I’m pretty tired, I think I’ll go home now.

Hilarious!
One of the funniest scenes of the movie. Sometimes I really wonder about blogging, people should not be following me, per say.  Look inside your self, all is information is there. 

5. Your actions speak volumes of you. "Stupid is as stupid does." Enough said!

Truly a beautiful piece of work (both the book and the movie). The ability to really make one look inside ones self; and create a desire to truly live life. 

Simple lessons from a simple man...