Fifteen-plus years ago I started working professionally as a Forrest Gump impersonator/look-alike/tribute artist. I’ve used the expression ‘gump-like’ thousands of times to describe a person, one of their attributes, or to define an interaction that occurred between myself and another.
Credit: Paramount Pictures
Forrest Gump had many admirable and notable character traits. One of those traits was Forrest’s fearlessness. Being gump-like involves bold thinking. Being gump-like means acting gallantly. Being gump-like is interacting with others confidently.
Gump-like behavior is being fearless in the way you think, act, and interact with others.
Fearless as in game-day grittiness.
Fearless as in choosing confidently.
Fearless as in gutsy performances.
Fearless as in hopeful actions.
Fearless as in an unflinching moral compass.
Forrest’s grittiness was evident on the football field.
Forrest chose confidently (and patiently) when he asked Jenny to be his girl.
Forrest’s conduct was gutsy when delivering his speech at the Reflection Pool.
Forrest’s run across America gave hope and inspiration to others.
Forrest’s moral compass was rock solid throughout his life.
Being fearless means performing on game day.
Being fearless means making a choice and not looking back.
Being fearless means stepping up and delivering when asked.
Being fearless means leading others.
Being fearless means acting aggressively within your defined personal boundaries.
Being fearless is gump-like.
If someone said, “You are ‘gump-like’!” … would you take it as a compliment? I do.
Are you choosing to live a gump-like life?
Next Blog Title: Being Gump-like (Part 11)
Next Blog Date: January 16, 2012