The Quiet Perfection of Forrest Gump

Sometimes in the evening my wife and I like to revisit old films, and we recently watched the film Forrest Gump again, (for more times than I can remember) and as usual we completely immersed ourselves in Tom Hanks loveable character – Forrest Gump. I, as I do, got to thinking about the thought processes and the mind of Forrest.

We’re taught to chase perfection through success. To polish our flaws, master our talents, and measure our worth in achievements. But every now and then, someone like Forrest Gump comes along; a man who had leg braces as a child, a low IQ, and an unfiltered sincerity that quietly reshapes the definition of what it means to live a remarkable life.

In the film we are never told of a formal diagnosis for Forrest. I don’t know if it’s true or not, but I like to think that the writers simply wanted a wider audience to relate to some or even all his personal differences. Sometimes a label just isn’t needed. Forrest’s childhood challenges: his curved spine, his leg braces, and his intellectual disability, is presented not as tragedies but simply as part of who he is. Society saw him as limited. But life saw him as ready in all respects. And that’s the paradox. His so-called challenges allowed him to be present, something many of us strive to achieve under the umbrella of which ever buzz name plucked from Facebook or Insta or the trending book recently read teaching us - to be conscious or mindful. I’ve always found it strange to use the term ‘mindful’ personally. Given that you are trying to achieve the converse of the mind, it just seems odd.

While others wrestled with ambition, reputation, and self-doubt (me), Forrest moved through the world with instinct, integrity, and love. He didn’t ask why, he just knew how - how to love Jenny despite everything, how to keep Bubba’s promise, how to pull Lieutenant Dan out of danger without a second thought. His actions weren’t strategic. They were sincere. If you ask me, or anyone that really knows me, you will understand that to me loyalty is the most important thing in any relationship, and Mr. Gump was acting on the deepest form of loyalty, wasn’t he?

Forrest’s gift was his radical availability. He didn’t overthink, didn’t manipulate, didn’t distract himself with the noise of ego. He showed up. Again, and again. He was the pal that always called but never needed anything. Always answered your messages and in doing so, he became a mirror reflecting a kind of purity most of us miss in our rush to be more, do more, have more, prove more.

We often look for heroes in brilliance. Just maybe, the real kind are steady, sincere. Present.

I am blessed with a few of these heroes in my life, and I do not take it lightly. I am grateful for their commitment and present, thankful that I have their support.

Perhaps this could be a quiet whisper, a soft nudge for you to be that friend. It quite literally could save someone’s life. Maybe you could chuck this film on again one evening and view it from my slightly different angle (you may already have this perspective). Even better, if you haven’t seen it, you’ve been treated to a delightful recommendation of a truly uplifting film. Either way you’re on a winner.

And the closing thoughts, is it the child born into suffering, who live their lives through to adulthood in a world that is seemingly less, or maybe they’re the ones we should learn from as the humans that may have got it right. Have you ever noticed that these young people are always smiling?

I have had the pleasure of coaching through my boxing, all manner of young people with a plethora of restrictions, different diseases, and disabilities. They have all been special in their own way and they are the epitome of true fighters. They have been my inspiration and for me, some of the most present Individuals I have met. What I’m saying is who are the true champions? The people that achieve awards, certificates, honors or titles. Not for me.

You never know when disease or disability may strike, I know only too well. I will say that for me I have become a different person, not just for my disabilities through disease, but through, my ability to be more present because of it. This is The Gift of Being Broken, finding light in darkness, and thriving because of it.

Let life humble you and be grateful for all you have. Be the person you would want to turn to in your time of need. Love.

And remember… Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get!