Inspirational Speeches

Stories of Gumption: Rita Weber (My Mother)

stories-of-gumption
Stories of Gumption is a regular column that profiles individuals who admirably demonstrate Gumption as we define it. These are the stories of real people who exhibit gumption in overcoming personal challenges, and validate the spirit of Gumption during their journey. Let?s take inspiration from those who seize 100% personal responsibility and show us how to live a life that exhibits Gump-like character traits worthy of applause!

Ten years ago to this very day, my mother passed away ? it was June 13, 2001. Less than eight months earlier, we all celebrated my parents? 50^th anniversary. Mom was diagnosed with a brain tumor only 36 days prior to her death. The end was fast and furious. At the time it all felt surreal ? I felt mostly numbness.

Rita-M-Weber-1927-2001 — Steve's Mom visits 'Forrest' on the bench in Monterey, CA (circa 1997)

Ten years later, I miss my mother but feel mostly gratitude. Sadness no longer overwhelms me ? although I am feeling it now as I write. I accept what Mama Gump said, ?Death is just a part of life. It?s something we?re all destined to do.?

I?m grateful for my mother. My mother taught me the meaning of personal responsibility. She planted the seeds that have grown into the concept of Gumption. She gave me life ? what more could I have asked for? That is why I feel grateful.

In my file cabinet I found the eulogy that I delivered at her funeral. My two brothers and two sisters helped me craft it ? I?m grateful for my four siblings.

Today, to honor my mother ? ten years after her passing ? I want to share with you the final words spoken about her at the time.

I love you, Mom! Your spirit lives on inside me. I?m grateful.

You Told Me To, Drill Sergeant

You-Told-Me-To-Drill-Sergeant ?

My previous blog?article?introduced the theme of serving others. Today, let?s look at providing leadership that others will choose to follow and want to serve.

I believe that people generally are willing to follow strong and principled leadership. Many people simply want to serve just as Forrest Gump did when his Drill Sergeant instructed.

You?ll recall the scene when Forrest and his fellow recruits are seated at the base of their bunks assembling their rifles. Bubba is just beginning his shrimp narration and speaks of dragging nets on the bottom ? catching over a hundred pounds on a good day ? two men shrimpin? ten hours a day ? gas ?

Meanwhile, Forrest has been singularly focused on the task at hand and completes the assembly of his rifle, announcing, ?Done, Drill Sergeant!?

The Drill Sergeant rushes up to Forrest and asks, ?Why did you put that weapon together so quickly, Gump??

Forrest meekly replies, ?You told me to, Drill Sergeant.?

The U.S. Army operates in a well-defined command and hierarchical form of leadership. Following orders is mandatory and not optional. This type of leadership works well for the Army.

Business historically has used a similar style of command-orders leadership. It became the norm during the industrial age. Our educational system still uses this style of control.

As we move further into the information age, leadership is evolving into a new art form. Telling is being replaced by persuading. Individuals no longer respond to simply being told.

In today?s world, when the boss comes up to you and asks in astonishment, ?Why did you accomplish this task so quickly??, the answer is more likely to be, ?You asked me to!?

Are you leading by persuasion or by threat?

Are you asking or telling?

What style of leadership do you believe is more effective?

Next Blog Title:? Stories of Gumption, Rita Weber (My Mother)?

Next Blog Date:? June 13, 2011

What?s Your Sole Purpose in this Army? Or Wherever you Are?

? Whats-Your-Sole-Purpose-In-This-Army

When Forrest Gump arrives for his basic training after joining the U.S. Army, there is a humorous and instructive scene that demonstrates Forrest?s willingness to serve.

The question for you to ponder is, ?Are you willing to serve others with the same level of commitment that Forrest had when serving in the Army??

The scene I?m referring to has Forrest and the other new recruits all standing at attention. The Drill Sergeant gets in the face of Forrest and yells, ?Gump! What?s your sole purpose in this Army? Forrest obediently replies, ?To do whatever you tell me, Drill Sergeant!?

The Drill Sergeant goes on to give a profanity-laced answer about Forrest?s genius, his I.Q. of 160, and the most outstanding answer he?s ever heard.

The scene concludes with Forrest in a voiceover narrating that he fit in the Army like one of them round pegs ? it?s not really hard ? and every question should be answered with, ?Yes, Drill Sergeant!?

So if you know your purpose in life, or your purpose in your job, or your purpose in your relationships ? getting along shouldn?t really be that hard. You too can fit in like one of them round pegs.

Consider ? what if you just did whatever you ultimately wanted to do in life?

Consider ? what if you just did whatever your boss needed you to do in your job?

Consider ? what if you just did whatever your significant other requested you do in your relationship?

Do you think you?d have more success? More productivity? More peace? More love?

What?s your sole purpose in this life?

Next Blog Title:? You Told Me To, Drill Sergeant.?

Next Blog Date:? June 9, 2011

Why ?Knowing Your Destiny? is the Keystone

In the second half of the movie Forrest Gump, Forrest sits next to his dying Mamma and they talk about destiny. Forrest wants to know what his destiny is ? Mamma tells him, ?You?re gonna have to figure that out for yourself.?

Keystone-Pacific-Stone-Design — Picture courtesy of Pacific Stone Design, Inc.

A keystone is a wedge-shaped piece at the summit of an arch and is regarded as the piece that holds all the other pieces in place. Metaphorically, it is something on which associated things are dependant.

So, in one?s life, consider that knowing your destiny would be the keystone.

But that sure is difficult. Forrest was a grown man, he graduated from college, served in the army, met presidents and started a successful shrimpin? business ? and yet here he was asking his mother, ?What?s my destiny??

In my own life I?ve accomplished much, moved twice to new states, graduated from college by attending part-time for thirteen years, changed careers four major times, started a couple of different businesses ? and yet I still struggle with figuring out what is my destiny.

Napolean Hill?wrote the Law of Success in 1925 and lesson two is A Definite Chief Aim ? sounds a lot to me like knowing your destiny.

Stephen R. Covey?s?7 Habits of Highly Effective People has as habit number two Begin with the End in Mind ? sounds a lot to me like knowing your destiny.

Lewis Carroll famously said, ?If you don?t know where you are going, any road will get you there.?

So, figuring out your definite chief aim, or your end purpose, or your destiny could be the keystone for a successful life.

What road are you on?

Where is it taking you?

What?s your destiny?

Next Blog Title:? What?s Your Sole Purpose in this Army? Or Wherever You Are??

Next Blog Date:??June 6, 2011

Never, Ever ? Take Your Eye Off the Ball

KeepYourEyeOnTheBall

When Forrest Gump was in the Army hospital lounge recovering from his wound to the buttocks, he was hit in the head with a ping-pong ball. That fortuitous event started what would become a stellar career as a ping-pong champion.

The secret to the game?s success was revealed to Forrest by another convalescing soldier. The soldier?s simple advice was, ?Never, ever ? take your eye off the ball.?

Seems like that is the key to success in almost every endeavor you take in life.

If you?re in sales, keep your eye on the sales ball.

If you?re in manufacturing, keep your eye on the manufacturing ball.

If you?re in customer service, keep your eye on the customer service ball.

If you?re a student, keep your eye on your schooling.

If you?re married, keep your eye on your marriage.

If you?re a parent, keep your eye on your parenting.

?Never, ever ? take your eye off the ball.?

Next Blog Title:??Why ?Knowing Your Destiny? is the Keystone?

Next Blog Date:? June 2, 2011

General Nathan Bedford Forrest

General-Nathan-Bedford-Forrest ?

There is a scene at the very beginning of the movie Forrest Gump that I previously considered just a throwaway scene. By throwaway, I mean a scene that is fun and entertaining but without any real meaning or significance. But as I?ve been revisiting the movie, looking through the lens of Life Lessons, I?ve changed my perspective. I?ve also come to realize that in any great book, movie, or speech, there are no throwaway lines, scenes, or stories. Every word and line has meaning.

Here is the scene described, four ways that the scene brilliantly sets up the rest of the movie, and one very important life lesson.

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