The title of today’s post is a take-off from the movie Forrest Gump. Forrest was quietly sitting on the front porch, deep in thought about everything and nothing. He deliberately places the red ball cap on his head, stands, and then starts to run. In his narration he states matter-of-factly, “One day, I decided to go for a little run!” Of course his little run takes him across America on a journey that lasts 3 years, 2 months, 14 days and 16 hours. It was actually a BIG run!

A few years ago, I traveled to Uruguay and filmed a commercial for Volkswagen. It was created for the Brazilian marketplace and the sub-titles are in Portuguese. It’s a take-off of Forrest’s run across America. Only instead of running, this time ‘Forrest’ drives. And of course, he drives in a brand new, shiny red Volkswagen Golf.

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“No man can think clearly when his fists are clenched.”

– George Jean Nathan

Do you remember the scene in the movie Forrest Gump when Jenny and Forrest, as adults, are strolling the back roads of rural Greenbow, Alabama? They come across the old house where Jenny’s father raised her and her sisters. From earlier scenes we gathered hints and learned that abuse took place in that house; seeing it brought back a flood of horrific memories. Jenny clenched her fists.

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Forrest Gump proclaimed those words to Jenny as she walked up the stairs at the Gump house to go to bed.  It’s an extremely powerful scene in the movie because we want so much to see Forrest win his girl’s heart, but once again he faces disappointment. As the viewer, did you feel like you wanted to jump for joy with Jenny’s ‘Yes!’ only to slump back into your seat feeling the pain of Forrest’s breaking heart?

Forrest tenderly narrates the events after Jenny came home to Greenbow for a time, a time when he and Jenny were just like family, and fondly remembers that it was “the happiest time in my life”.  After watching the 4^th of July fireworks display on TV together, Jenny asks Forrest if he is done watching, turns off the TV and kisses Forrest gently on the cheek. She say’s “I’m going to bed” and starts climbing the stairs. It is a gentle and quiet moment, and we can feel that Forrest wants these happy days to continue.

Halfway up the stairs she is stopped by Forrest’s proposal, “Will you marry me? I’d make a good husband, Jenny.”  Jenny hesitates and then simply affirms, “You would, Forrest.” Forrest disappointedly responds, “But you won’t marry me.”  to which Jenny replies, “You don’t want to marry me.” Forrest then asks and powerfully proclaims, “Why don’t you love me, Jenny? I’m not a smart man, but I know what love is.”  Forrest turns, walks to the front door, stands with his hand on hip and stares out into the night. Another disappointment, but an assertion from Forrest that he indeed knows more than Jenny thinks he possibly could when it comes to matters of the heart. Do you know what love is?

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“My Mama always said you’ve got to put the past behind you before you can move on.” Forrest Gump says this memorable line in the movie, referencing his run across America.  Remember the run that took 3 years, 2 months, 14 days and 16 hours? Forrest is sitting on the bench telling his story of the run when he concludes, “I think that was what all that running was about”. Forrest’s run was a way for him to put his past behind him. He instinctively understood that carrying the past was detrimental to his present and future.

Forrest Gump isn’t the first to introduce this concept of putting the past behind.  Bruce Springsteen’s Glory Days is a lament about living in one’s past – “sit around thinking about” … “trying to recapture” … “boring stories of glory days”. Or how about in The Lion King when Timon says “You’ve got to put your behind in the past” and Pumbaa corrects, “No, no, no. Amateur. Sit down before you hurt yourself. It’s “You got to put your past behind you.”  Google the phrase “past behind you quotes” and you’ll get millions of hits.

So millions have written about putting the past behind and yet it’s still heard and learned by most as if it’s never been uttered before.  We seem to constantly need to be reminded of this. Why do we tend to hold on to our past? Why do we constantly seek the glory days of the past instead of the present? Are you stuck in the past? Is your past affecting your ability to live passionately in the present? If yes, then let Forrest’s simple wisdom free you from your ghosts. 

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One of Forrest Gump’s unique personal qualities was his non-resistant nature. Forrest had the child-like ability to go with the flow. He was open to other people, other’s ideas, and trying new things. Just as a child is born with a natural curiosity and innate desire to learn and explore, Forrest lived his entire life open and non-resistant.

As adults, most of us have long lost that special quality. Along the path of life we become protective and guarded in what we will do. New ideas are rejected out of hand without even stopping to give them consideration. Our way of life is ingrained in our psyches and stops us from trying new things. While the childlike curiosity still exists deep inside us all, a protective shell has been put in place to guard us against disappointments, miscommunications and thwarted intentions. We have become resistant and no longer open. Maybe that’s why we receive such joy when looking at the openness and non-resistance of a child? Is it possible to become more open? Are you willing to give up your resistance?

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Have you ever had the experience when you’re at a party and you’re hanging with friends and you’re laughing and totally carefree? For that one moment, time stands still and all the worries of the world are gone. You’re not thinking about work or your relationship or next month’s rent payment. You’re not looking at your watch thinking about what time you’re going to leave. You’re not thinking about ‘the next thing you’re going to say to liven up the conversation’. No, you are totally present to the experience. You are 100% ‘in the moment’!

Alas, before you know it, you look at your watch. You notice someone else in the room and you start thinking about other things. You start thinking about what you have to do at work next week. The people you are with are still speaking but now you are no longer listening. The moment is gone.  How can we learn to stay in the moment?

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 Merriam-Webster defines crunch time as a critical moment or period when decisive action is needed. Crunch time is frequently associated with sports. A player or team may be at a crucial moment late in the game when his next play or shot could be the difference between winning and losing.

I’ve chosen this topic as today’s blog because in many ways I feel that my own life is in a crucial period where decisive action is needed. I firmly believe the next month will see the culmination of many divergent events that I’ve been involved with. From real estate deals to personal business to career opportunities – they are all coming to a head. In recent posts I’ve shared details of multi-tasking and staying focused to my own possibilities for 2010.

So knowing that crunch time is right around the corner or even right now, how do some succeed while others fail during these moments? What perspective should you maintain during these times? How can you increase your chances for success when a critical moment is staring you in the face?

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Since Monday I’ve been in Las Vegas Attending the 10^th Annual Celebrity Impersonators Convention . While I’ve known of the event from its early days, this is only my 2^nd convention after attending my 1^st in 2008. Since attending that convention 2 years ago, I’ve made a lot of friends, business contacts and sorted out in my own mind how this business works. Like all industries, change is coming fast and furious to the impersonators of the world; we must all change with the times or get run over and lost in the past. Corporate dollars for pure entertainment have dried up during the recession of the past 2 years, and it’s plain to see that Vegas is hurting.

In a break from my normal blog style of writing, today’s blog will be a collection of thoughts and observations sparked by my attendance at CIC. Each point could be its own full story – but will have to stand alone as a short burst of thought. Hence, I’ve added links to several of the points so the reader can learn more if interested.

Paraphrasing Anne Kissel (aka Rosanne Barr), ‘the CIC is a Halloween Party on steroids.’

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