SpeakingGump Promoting Change

Live Your Life with Gumption

Destiny

?You’re Gonna Have to Figure That Out for Yourself?

Momma couldn?t tell Forrest what his destiny was.
Momma couldn?t tell Forrest what his destiny was.

When Momma Gump is on her deathbed, an anxious and concerned Forrest pleads, “Momma, what’s my destiny”?

Momma replies, “You’re gonna have to figure that out for yourself. Life is a box of chocolates, Forrest. You never know what you’re gonna get.”

We all want answers, just like Forrest wanted his momma to answer his question about his destiny.

But it doesn’t work that way.

And it especially doesn’t work that way for something as important as your own destiny. Your own life purpose. Your own special mission and the reason that you’re on this earth.

Most things, and certainly all the important things in life, are things we have to figure out for ourselves.

Are you asking others to do the hard work that only you can do?
Are you hoping someone else will figure it out for you?
What’s your destiny?

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Next Blog Date: May 21, 2012

Living a Life with Core Value Conflict

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Forrest looks over Lieutenant Dan during his darkest days.
Forrest looks over Lieutenant Dan during his darkest days.

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I ended my previous blog?with this question; ?Do you think maybe the reason Forrest Gump was so content was because he understood his own core values and lived life in harmony with them?? Let?s dig deeper and contrast Forrest?s way of living with the life that others lived ? specifically Lt. Dan. In contrasting these characters, we?ll see a perfect example of a person living contentedly because he was living life consistent with his core values, as well as a man who was unhappy and struggling as he lived in conflict with (or out of touch with) his core values.

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Forrest was generally happy throughout most of his life. Of course he experienced sadness and disappointment, even tragedy and loss; but you always sensed that at the end of the day, he was content within himself. He understood who he was, his capabilities and limitations, and did his best every day.

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Lt. Dan on the other hand, was happy when he was commanding his troops but collapsed into depression and misery after personal tragedy; we sense that he is conflicted, angry and disconnected for a large part of his life after losing his legs and suffering the death of his men.

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Is it possible that the source of happiness vs. unhappiness is a direct result of living a life that is either in harmony with or in conflict with core values? I say yes.

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[Read more…] about Living a Life with Core Value Conflict

Birthdays are Like a Box of Chocolates

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Forrest-Gump-Movie-Poster?

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Is this a weird coincidence or some sort of strange karma or destiny or fate?

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  • July 6 (1994) ? the movie Forrest Gump released
  • July 7 (1958) ? my birthday
  • July 9 (1956) ? Tom Hanks? birthday

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It seems more than ironic that my birthday would be so closely sandwiched between those two dates. For 14+ years I?ve made my living off the movie Forrest Gump. And for 30+ years I?ve been compared physically to the actor Tom Hanks.

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The human mind tends to see patterns where none exist. My guess is it?s just a coincidence ? albeit weird. But let?s examine the ideas of coincidence, karma, destiny and irony a bit more deeply to see if you agree.

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[Read more…] about Birthdays are Like a Box of Chocolates

Momma, What’s My Destiny?

Scene 5 - large image - from the '94 best movie scenes' from the Forrest Gump movie - a tribute to the 25th Anniversary of the movie on July 6, 2019. Forrest asks his dying mama, "What's my destiny?"

“What’s my destiny, Momma?” was the childlike question that Forrest Gump choked out as his mother lay on her deathbed. You may remember that Forrest first heard of his mother’s illness when he and Lt. Dan were eating lunch on the shrimp boat; what did Forrest do when he heard the news? He jumped off the shrimp boat, swam to shore and ran home to be with her.

Of course it’s comical to see Forrest just stand up and dive off the shrimp boat without a second thought. But it’s a common human reaction when hearing news of a sick loved one. Concern takes over, we may drop everything and react, we simply want to be there. Just like Forrest, we run to the side of our loved ones and may either be there to help, or be there to experience a final moment or a final conversation.

When Forrest finally arrives and is seated next to his dying mother, we are witness to those final moments as they talk candidly about living, dying and destiny. Directly from the script, here is that conversation:

FORREST: What’s the matter, Momma?

Momma: I’m dyin’, Forrest. Come on in, sit down over here.

FORREST: Why are you dyin’, Momma?

Momma: It’s my time. It’s just my time. Oh, now, don’t you be afraid, sweetheart. Death is just a part of life. It’s something we’re all destined to do. I didn’t know it, but I was destined to be your momma. I did the best I could.

FORREST: You did good, Momma.

Momma: Well, I happened to believe you make your own destiny. You have to do the best with what God gave you.

FORREST: What’s my destiny, Momma?

Momma: You’re gonna have to figure that out for yourself. Life is a box of chocolates, Forrest. You never know what you’re gonna get.

Wow! Eight lines exchanged between two people … a dying mother and her loving son. Straightforward and direct. What’s the matter? I’m dyin?. Why? It’s my time. Don’t be afraid. Death is just a part of life. While an extremely tense and dramatic scene, the words are simple and candid. They express love while dealing powerfully with reality. Momma Gump is saying good-bye to her son.

After dealing with the sad reality of Momma’s pending death, the conversation continues, takes a more positive tone, and shifts towards the future … “I was destined to be your momma. I did the best I could. I believe you make your own destiny. Do the best with what God gave you. What’s my destiny, Momma? You’re gonna have to figure it out for yourself. Life is like a box of chocolates.

Momma never failed him, did she? She consistently gave him wisdom in little epithets like nursery rhymes so they would be easy for her simple-minded son to remember and keep close to his heart through life. And does it really need to be more complex than that? Momma Gump tells Forrest to continue living. Figure it out. Do your best. Use your God-given talents. MAKE YOUR OWN DESTINY!

Eight lines in a movie. Are you facing life straightforwardly? Facing reality? Doing your best? Using your talents? Are you optimistic about the future? Are you figuring things out? Are you creating your own destiny?

Next Blog title: What’s your destiny?

Next Blog date: May 10, 2010