A memorable and popular quote from the movie Forrest Gump is the phrase, A Promise is a Promise.  Although many may not recall the details of the scene, most remember and repeat the words. It’s New Year’s Eve and Forrest is in New York City with Lt. Dan. When Forrest explains that he’s going to move to Bayou La Batre and buy a shrimp boat Lt. Dan scoffs at the idea. He finds it unfathomable that a man would honor an intent even after the death of his best friend. In answer to this incredulity, Forrest simply deadpans, “A promise is a promise, Lt. Dan”. Forrest’s basic principles dictated that he had to fulfill the promise he made to Bubba, despite the man’s demise. Now that is integrity!

Lt. Dan laughed at Forrest’s reply and then made a bold statement that seemed to be in jest. Lt. Dan laughingly announced that if Forrest were ever a shrimp boat captain, then he would be Forrest’s first mate, mockingly calling him Gilligan. Later in the movie, Lt. Dan demonstrates his own surprising sense of honor and ability to keep a promise. We see him waiting at the dock as an exuberant Captain Forrest jumps off his shrimp boat and swims to greet Lt. Dan, who humbly states, ‘Well, here I am. I’m a man of my word.’ Both Lt. Dan and Forrest had integrity. Is your word something that other people value and respect? Do you honor your own word?

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Getting on an airplane always seems to spark my imagination. Because of my career choice, I fly frequently. Without fail, the change of scenery brings a burst of inspiration. I’ve learned that I respond positively to the stimulation my senses and imagination receive through the people I encounter, the dialogue and experiences I share with those people, as well as the new sights, sounds, etc. that I enjoy whenever I travel. I contend that you too can use a change of scenery to spark your imagination!

When traveling, your attitude is critical. Air travel today can be a pain with long-lines, TSA requirements, crowded spaces, impatient and frustrated fellow travelers, and surly or indifferent attitudes of service staff. Knowing that some discomfort will be part of the process and managing my own expectations usually produces a pleasant experience for me. More often than not, I’m pleasantly surprised by the patience of my fellow travelers and the professionalism of the TSA and airline staff.

So with that frame-of-mind, I use my travel as a regular way to spark my imagination. How do you regularly spark your imagination? If you don’t regularly travel by air, I’ve listed three other ideas that you can use to spark your imagination.

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In my post on January 7, 2010, I presented my Personal New Possibilities for 2010.  At the heart of that post was the recognition that my real estate investing and property management activities were interfering with the pursuit of my speaking and writing ambitions. Since then I’ve even admitted that those activities were a job and doing that job was preventing me from doing the other job I was attempting to do (i.e. speaking/writing). I’m admitting that I’ve only been pursuing speaking and writing on a part-time basis, and as a result have been achieving part-time results.

Here is the good news. I’ve recognized and admitted what was happening, and more importantly, I have taken action to correct the course.

Making a major decision to correct one’s course is a critical first step. Taking the action necessary to implement that course change is where the rubber meets the road. Since January I have been singularly focused on reducing the size of my property management job, and ironically, it’s been necessary to take a few steps backward to order to move forward. Here is what I’ve accomplished in the past 6 weeks and 3 techniques I’ve used to get where I am. You can also use these tried and true ideas to help you stay focused.

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Since 1971, the Presidents Day holiday has been observed on the 3^rd Monday of February. Washington’s birthday (February 22^nd) was historically a holiday that was recognized by Americans, and in 1885, it became an official federal holiday in which all government offices closed. It is interesting to note that Washington was actually born on February 11^th based on the Julian calendar that was originally used in the British Colonies. When the Gregorian calendar was adopted in the English Colonies, Washington himself opted to begin observing his birthdate on the equivalent date of February 22^nd . Lincoln’s birthday (February 12^th) was never a federal holiday, but several states including New Jersey, Missouri and Illinois do honor Lincoln with a state holiday on his birthdate. It wasn’t until the mid-1980s that the term Presidents Day became popular due to a push from advertisers, but is still not a universal term as many states have different official designations for the day.

Despite the confusion of dates and inconsistency in observance, shouldn’t the intention of the Holiday be to reflect upon our Presidents Past and perhaps the historic events surrounding them, and the significance of each?

In the movie Forrest Gump, Forrest visited the White House on three separate occasions. Each time he visited and met a United States President, a funny or historic event took place. Of course the movie is fiction and the scenes were added to entertain and add to the story of Forrest Gump and the impact that he had on the country and on history. Do you remember the three Presidents that Forrest met? Did you recognize the significance or special event that took place during each meeting?

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When Forrest Gump spoke in Washington, DC in front of the Washington Monument reflecting pool to the Vietnam War protest, he concluded by saying, “And that’s all I’ve got to say about that.” Forrest used the same line when he concluded his story about serving in Vietnam while sitting on the park bench. The third and final time Forrest used the line is when he eulogized his mother. That line is a great example of straightforward communication.

Effective communication always includes straightforward communication. Good or bad, most individuals like hearing it straight. What we don’t like is beating around the bush or hidden agendas. Is your communication style straightforward? Does it make you uncomfortable to communicate in a straightforward manner? Do you sometimes take the ‘easy’ way out and beat around the bush?

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Sunday’s Super Bowl was more than just entertaining … it was an American event. The favorite Colts took an early 10-0 lead. The underdog Saints roared back scoring 31 of the next 38 points. But it was close. With a little more than 3 minutes remaining, the Colts were driving down the field to tie the game. The announcer even mentioned the possibility of an overtime game. Peyton Manning then threw an interception to Tracy Porter and Porter returned it 74 yards for the game-clinching touchdown. New Orleans 31, Indianapolis 17 – Final Score.

So that was the score of the game. But who else is the winner? How about the city of New Orleans as the winner? How about all of America as the winner? How about each and every one of us was a winner as a result of last night’s Super Bowl? Let me explain.

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This Sunday is the Super Bowl. The favorite Colts are lead by the consummate pro Payton Manning. The underdog Saints have the inspirational Drew Brees at the helm. It should be an entertaining game on Sunday in Miami as both teams have proven throughout the course of the season to be the leagues’ best.

Ironically, it was just 3 years ago when the Colts were the underdogs in Miami against the Chicago Bears; history was made when they won their 1^st Super Bowl in 36 years. The last Colt team to win a Super Bowl was in 1971 when they played in Baltimore and were led by Earl Morrall and Johnny Unitas. Maybe this is the year of the Saints? This will be the Saints first Super Bowl appearance  — EVER! What would it mean for the battered city of New Orleans? After all, it was only 4+ years ago when Hurricane Katrina nearly wiped the city off the map and sent the Saints seeking temporary refuge in San Antonio and Baton Rouge. Talk about a comeback!

So does any of this matter in a year when unemployment is high, the economy is shaky, Congress appears dysfunctional, and the American people are uncertain? You bet it does! Like Forrest Gump the movie or this year’s movie blockbusters Avatar or The Hurt Locker, the Super Bowl is an American tradition and an escape from reality even if only for a Sunday evening in February.

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“None of us knows what the next change is going to be, what unexpected opportunity is just around the corner, waiting to change all the tenor of our lives.”- Kathleen Norris

Unexpected is defined as surprising or unforeseen. With a little linguistic liberty, we can say unexpected is unpredictable, astonishing and even fortuitous!

Surprising or unforeseen was how the movie Forrest Gump captured the world’s imagination back in 1994. It was simply unexpected! And the many amazing feats that Forrest accomplished were certainly astonishing. His run across America, his ping-pong prowess, his ability to “run like the wind blows,” his capacity to be loving and kind even in the face of disappointment and the inhumanity of others are all examples of unexpected actions. These actions were unpredictable, astonishing and even fortuitous.

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