Life's Purpose

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

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?

Next Blog Title:
Next Blog Date: May 21, 2012

GUMP! What?s Your Sole Purpose in this Army (or Life)?

When Forrest Gump joined the Army and arrived at basic training, his Drill Sergeant bellowed into his face, “GUMP! What’s your sole purpose in this Army?”

Forrest answered carefully. “To do whatever you tell me, Drill Sergeant!”

The gratified Drill Sergeant commended Forrest on his most outstanding answer and referred to him as gifted – with an I.Q. of a hundred and sixty.

Forrest was crystal clear about his sole purpose in the U.S. Army. Being crystal clear about your sole purpose in life makes living a lot easier.

So … what’s your sole purpose in this life?

Do You Ever Dream About Who You?re Going To Be?

Jenny-Dreams-Of-Being-A-Singer — Jenny describes her dream of playing the guitar and being a singer

There is a scene in the movie that takes place during Forrest’s college days. Forrest has taken a trip to Jenny’s college to pay her a visit. Jenny and her date drive into the parking lot in a classic Chevrolet Corvair. Forrest watches them park the car and start behaving romantically. Forrest senses trouble for Jenny when her date becomes aggressive with his romantic overtures. After a minor ruckus in the parking lot, Forrest offers Jenny the chocolate box. She scolds him for trying to protect her. Jenny recognizes Forrest’s naïveté and takes him indoors and out of the rain.

Once they get dried off in the dorm room, the now talkative Jenny asks, “Do you ever dream, Forrest, about who you’re going to be?”

The literal Forrest asks back, “Who I’m going to be? Aren’t I going to be me?”

Jenny continues, “You’ll always be you, just another kind of you. You know? I want to be famous. I want to be a singer like Joan Baez. I just want to be on an empty stage with my guitar, my voice. Just me. And I want to reach people on a personal level. I want to be able to say things, just one to one.”

Jenny’s dream captured the essence of what dreaming is all about – remaining who you are but transforming yourself into another kind of you.

That is what we call growth.

When we grow, we become open to new experiences.

With new experiences comes learning.

With learning comes maturity.

With maturity comes wisdom.

With wisdom comes the ability to live life to our dreams.

Do you ever dream about who you’re going to be?

Next Blog Title: How to Be Another Kind Of You

Next Blog Date: September 6, 2011

When You?re Going Somewhere ? Are You Running?

After Forrest explained how he could run like the wind blows, he then proclaimed, ?From that day on, if I was going somewhere ? I was running!?

Forrest literally meant he liked to run and when he needed to go from point A to point B ? he would run.

But figuratively, Forrest?s running meant something much deeper.

Forrest?s running was a metaphor for the way he thought, the way he got things done, and for the way he interacted with others.

When Forrest was learning to walk with braces, he did it with concentration.

When Forrest was befriending Jenny, he did it with playfulness.

When Forrest played football, he did it with daring.

When Forrest graduated from college, he did it with spirit.

When Forrest served in the Army, he did it with valor.

When Forrest played ping-pong, he did it with reckless abandon.

When Forrest bought a shrimp boat, he did it with fearlessness.

When Forrest was struggling to learn the shrimpin? business, he did it undaunted.

When Forrest succeeded wildly as a shrimperman, he did it with modestly.

When Forrest returned home to his dying mother, he did it with seriousness.

When Forrest mowed the lawn, he did it with heart.

When Forrest welcomed Jenny home, he did it with forgiveness.

When Forrest met Little Forrest, he did it with joy.

When Forrest married Jenny, he did it with love.

When Forrest buried Jenny, he did it with strength.

When Forrest put Little Forrest on the bus, he did it with satisfaction.

It occurs to me that Forrest kept his promise and lived his life from that day on ? by always running.

Do you know that somewhere that you?re supposed be going?

Are you running to get there?

What are you waiting for?

Next Blog Title:? Do You Ever Dream About Who You?re Going To Be?

Next Blog Date: ?September 1, 2011

Life's Purpose

Footer

Steve’s Social Profiles