The movie Forrest Gump touched, moved, and inspired people 20+ years ago. The life lessons from the movie are just as relevant today as they were back in 1994. They give the movie it’s timeless nature.
This series is dedicated to listing the many life lessons from the movie that we can incorporate into our daily lives to feel more peace and love … and to live our lives with Gumption.
Balance Your Emotions
Emotional reality versus factual reality.
When Forrest saw his old friend on the dock, he became so overwhelmed with joy that he jumped off his boat and swam to shore to greet him.
Forrest’s emotional reality took over at that moment.
A few minutes later after they greeted each other and made plans to form a business partnership, Forrest’s boat crashed into the dock behind him with a load boom.
Forrest’s factual reality came back into focus.
He simply stated, “That’s my boat.”
Life is a yo-yo with ups and downs. Yings and yangs. Highs and lows.
We go sky high with emotional reality only to be brought back down to earth with factual reality.
Generally, Forrest did a good job of keeping his emotions on a short string. He rarely went too high. And he seldom allowed himself to go too low.
Seeing Lt. Dan on the dock overwhelmed his positive emotions – momentarily!
Having the boat crash into the dock did little damage to his overall emotional balance. He simply came back down to factual reality.
Balance.
Life is about balancing one’s emotions.
Forrest occasionally erred on the positive side of emotional exuberance.
While rarely sinking into the ditch of despair.
Balancing emotional reality with factual reality takes Gumption.
Taking responsibility for your thoughts and emotions is living your life with Gumption.
Stuff happens. “That’s my boat” … now let’s go shrimpin’.