I watched "Forrest Gump" tonight, this was my 4th or 5th time watching the movie. I love that movie. Forrest represents all of us in one sense or another. He is simple in everything he says yet his observations are profound. Everything he does are things that are, on the surface, common yet he excels in all of them. Yes, it is just a story, a novel, a fairy tale but the character speaks to all of us.
Why is it that we cheer and clap when the nobody gets the prize. Why is it that we love to see the "little guy" get the reward, the "underdog" win the game. Forrest, who in the movie has a low I.Q. succeeds at all he does. Have you ever wondered why that appeals to us.. I think it has something to do with "beating the odds". Forrest knew that he was "slow" yet he never let that get in the way of what he wanted to do. And everything he did he did it 100% all the way, no holds barred, no holding back.
Lt. Dan remained his "Lt." in spite of continuous ridicule. "Jenny" remained his lady love in spite of continuous rejection. Ahh, it is just a movie, but it explodes with truth, honesty, compassion, romance, and most of all...love.
There is a lesson in that for us all. Forrest was "slow" yet he focused on whatever the task was at the moment and gave his all. He did not care about social expectations or norms, he did not care about what people thought about him or his shortcomings, he did not care about the odds or failures...he just focused and got the job done.
Perhaps there is more to the "simple life" than meets the eye.
