Credit: Paramount Pictures
Fifteen-plus years ago I started working professionally as a Forrest Gump impersonator/look-alike/tribute artist. I 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.
Forrest Gump had many admirable and notable character traits. One of those traits was Forrest’s openness. Being gump-like is being open to new ideas, new experiences, and new people.
Gump-like is being open.
Open as in open-minded.
Open as in non-resistant.
Open as in receptive.
Open as in accepting.
Open as in hospitable.
Open as in observant.
Open as in responsive.
Forrest was open-minded when he befriended Bubba.
Forrest was non-resistant when he learned the ways of the Army.
Forrest was receptive when offered the chance to play ping-pong.
Forrest was accepting when Jenny told him he was a father.
Forrest was hospitable when he brought Jenny and Little Forrest into his home.
Forrest was observant when minding what his Momma said.
Forrest was responsive when following the commands of Lt. Dan, his football coach, and his drill sergeant.
Being open is dropping your preconceived notions.
Being open is a willingness to try new ways.
Being open is the ability to hear others.
Being open is being accepting of others despite differences.
Being open is knowing the road ahead is where opportunities originate.
Being open is being 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 6)
Next Blog Date: December 29, 2011