There is a scene at the very beginning of the movie Forrest Gump that I previously considered just a throwaway scene. By throwaway, I mean a scene that is fun and entertaining but without any real meaning or significance. But as I’ve been revisiting the movie, looking through the lens of Life Lessons, I’ve changed my perspective. I’ve also come to realize that in any great book, movie, or speech, there are no throwaway lines, scenes, or stories. Every word and line has meaning.

Here is the scene described, four ways that the scene brilliantly sets up the rest of the movie, and one very important life lesson.

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My last post discussed Jenny’s first attempt to give up her fight. But she wasn’t yet ready to let go. She was still fighting against her past.

Fast forward about four years, and she is now finally ready. Circumstances have changed. She needs help. By admitting to herself that she needs help, that her son needs help, and that they no longer can do it alone – she is ready to give up her fight.

So what kept her fight alive for so long? Pride. I can do it by myself. I don’t need anyone else to help me. I don’t need you. Pride is defined as an inordinate opinion of one’s own dignity.

But she did need help. She was sick and going to die. She had a virus we later recognized as AIDS. She finally asked the man who loved her for the help she needed.

Little Forrest also needed help. He needed his father. He needed a parent to care for him when his mother would no longer be with him.

By accepting that they couldn’t do it alone, Jenny gave herself and Little Forrest the gift of a better future.

Jenny’s apology opened the door to a future that was no longer constrained by the past.

Creating a new future can really be as simple as an making an apology.

Being ready to make the apology is the challenge. Being willing to accept 100% personal responsibility is the hard part.

When Jenny had only a few options left, she made the right choice.

Why do we often wait until our backs are against the wall before making the right choice?

Why is giving up the past so difficult?

Why does pride keep us locked in our past?

Next Blog Title:  Why Bullying Doesn’t Work in 2011 

Next Blog Date:  May 19, 2011

Steve Weber is a Forrest Gump tribute artist, speaker, event maker, blogger, and aspiring author. He uses the simple, yet powerful, truths of Forrest Gump to turn meetings into events. You can learn more at SpeakingGump.com.

"And then, she was there."

My last two posts have been about Lt. Dan giving up his fight and making his peace with God. When I say giving up the fight, it’s really about putting the past behind you. It’s about living in the present as opposed to having the past being your present.

Today, let’s look at Jenny and her first real attempt at putting her past in the past.

Recall that Jenny’s childhood was less than ideal. Her mother died when she was young. Her father was abusive. She ended up living with her grandmother. As a young woman, she sought refuge in the hippie lifestyle with drugs, sex, and music.

Those diversions muted her past pain, but it was only a mask.

Jenny came home to Greenbow. A surprised (and delighted) Forrest was interrupted while mowing the lawn. This was Jenny’s first attempt to give up the fight.

She “slept and slept like she hadn’t slept in years.” She physically healed. She started the process of emotional healing. The simmering pain boiled over with the sometimes there just aren’t enough rocks incident.

But Jenny wasn’t yet ready to give up the fight.

After spending a night in Forrest’s bed, she left early the next morning without saying good-bye. The cab driver asked, “Where you running off to?” Jenny snapped, “I’m not running.” But it wasn’t the truth – Jenny was running.

Jenny returned to Greenbow because she knew she’d be safe.

Jenny attempted to give up her fight.

Jenny wasn’t yet ready.

It’s an old story … we know what we have to do, but we’re not yet ready to do it.

Next Blog Title:  Jenny Finally Gives Up the Fight 

Next Blog Date:  May 16, 2011

Steve Weber is a Forrest Gump tribute artist, speaker, event maker, blogger, and aspiring author. He uses the simple, yet powerful, truths of Forrest Gump to turn meetings into events. You can learn more at SpeakingGump.com.