Country Life ... New Possibilities for 2010

Back in January I wrote about my own personal new possibilities for 2010. I offered an update on those possibilities in March in a blog titled Crunch Time.  Today’s post describes one piece of the puzzle that has been completed. I recently completed a move from in town to the country. I’m no longer a townie.

I first heard that expression a few months ago as I was telling people about my move. A friend just blurted out “Are you tired of being a townie?” Since then I’ve come to learn the difference in mindset from living in town to living in the country. By the way, I’m only 7 miles (or 15 minutes) from town, so it’s not like I’m living remotely.

So what are the differences between living in town versus living in the country?

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We all remember the scene from the movie Forrest Gump when Forrest is coming in to port in his shrimping boat and sees Lt. Dan sitting on the dock in his wheelchair. Forrest is so overcome with joy and excitement that he spontaneously jumps off his boat to greet his old friend. The wake of the departed boat is visible as Forrest swims to the dock. Forrest climbs the ladder of the dock and while dripping wet he enthusiastically welcomes his future partner. A short conversation ensues whereby Lt. Dan explains his desire and willingness to be Forrest’s first-mate. But as Lt. Dan warns Forrest that he won’t call him “Sir” and Forrest dutifully replies “Yes Sir!” … the Jenny crashes into the pier behind them. A startled Forrest first flinches from the crash and then simply states, “That’s my boat!”

It’s quite humorous and comical that a man would be so overcome with joy that he’d forget what he was doing – in this case attempting to dock a boat. And after a genuine and warm greeting of friends the boat crashes directly behind them. Rather than show embarrassment, Forrest simply states the obvious – That’s my boat!

Are you able to recognize and state the obvious when overcome with emotion? Do you let your emotions cloud your ability to see reality? In today’s business and economic climate, it’s more important than ever to be able to separate facts from emotions. 

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Are you flexible? Do you adapt easily when adversity sets up a roadblock? Do you freely change direction when opportunity arises? Do you readily take advantage of the unexpected? Being flexible is equally important in both the context of things often considered either good or bad.

In the film Forrest Gump, remember that after the war there was a period of time that Forrest attempted to succeed at shrimping on his own, and had not heard from his old friend Lieutenant Dan in quite a while. And yet, when Lt. Dan showed up on the dock and announced that he was there to be Forrest’s First Mate, Forrest just accepted it and changed whatever plans he had in his head at the time. He was flexible and adapted to a new arrangement. The benefit of his flexibility turned out to be that Forrest gained a companion, a closer friendship, and in the end a more business savvy partner. An opportunity seized!

Earlier in Forrest’s life he was confronted by the high school bullies. He adapted by doing what Jenny told him – he ran! By avoiding the danger and a confrontation, Forrest’s impressive running speed was noticed by Coach Bear Bryant and he received a football scholarship. In this case, being flexible turned adversity into opportunity.

Are you flexible in your approach to life?

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When a mournful Forrest Gump stands over Jenny’s grave he laments, “Jenny, I don’t know if Momma was right or if, if it’s Lieutenant Dan. I don’t know if we each have a destiny, or if we’re all just floating around accidental-like on a breeze, but I, I think maybe it’s both. Maybe both is happening at the same time.”

The simple wisdom of Forrest was never more evident than with that observation. The important people in his life had influenced his thoughts on destiny, from the angry conviction of Lieutenant Dan, “We all have a destiny. Nothing just happens. It’s all part of a plan! … I had a destiny. I was supposed to die in the field with honor! That was my destiny, and you cheated me out of it! You understand what I’m saying, Gump? This wasn’t supposed to happen. Not to me. I had a destiny. I was Lieutenant Dan Taylor.”  to the pensive observation of his Momma, “Well, I happened to believe you make your own destiny. You have to do the best with what God gave you.”

Forrest chose to recognize that life is a combination of random occurrences and inevitable events, neither of which we have control over. Fortunately for us humans, we have the power to choose. Our choices are how we individually decide to view occurrences, interpret events, and ultimately respond to them both. It’s our choices that fundamentally create our destiny. What’s your destiny?

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This past weekend in Charleston, SC, the 7^th Annual Run Forrest Run  5K  Race on was held on Saturday, May 1st 2010. The Charleston RiverDogs are the primary host for the charity event benefitting MUSC Storm Eye Institute. “Forrest Gump” along with the RiverDogs players, RiverDogs Mascot Charlie T. Riverdog and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co mascot Shrimp Louie all greet the runners at the home plate finish line of this fun, family event.

Run Forrest Run is a great example of businesses partnering to create an active and playful family experience that does more then just entertain – it’s good exercise and all done for a good cause.

The Joe ballpark on the peninsula of Charleston is a fantastic backdrop for the event.  The city of Charleston and the surrounding Low Country communities have helped this event grow each year. Special thanks is extended to everyone who plans and makes the event possible and to the 600+ runners who make me feel welcome year after year.

Have you ever been to Charleston, SC? Here are my top 10 reasons to visit the historic antebellum city of Charleston.

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