The Pursuit of Happyness

My husband and I had the good fortune to be able to go to the premier of The Pursuit of Happyness in Westwood last night. What an amazing movie. The film is based on the true story of Chris Gardner, a single parent who goes from being homeless to a multi-millionaire stockbroker. It was nice to see a cameo of the real Chris Gardner at the end of the movie, and many in the audience recognized him, probably from the story on 60 Minutes. While I want to give accolades to Will Smith and his adorable son, Jaden, for their acting, I also want to touch on some of the themes which are so important to many us struggling to find our place in life. Caution, spoilers following.

NEVER GIVE UP
Chris persevered through situations that most of us have never encountered, he just never gave up. The man had to sleep in a subway bathroom with his 5 year old, and didn't have enough money to buy dinner for himself. His car was impounded, his wife left him. Still, Chris kept going.

HAVE A PLAN/DREAM
Chris happened upon a stockbroker parking his red Ferrari and asked the man, "What do you do and how do you do it?" After learning the man was a stockbroker, Chris did all he could to land an internship at Dean Witter. This also goes under the NEVER GIVE UP category.

TAKE RISKS
Chris took a huge risk in accepting one of twenty UNPAID six month internships with Dean Witter. There was no guarantee of a job at the end of the internship! His only source of income was when he was able to sell a very expensive piece of medical equipment. Really, this film illustrates that one can only get ahead in this life by taking risks.

In my own life, the risk is: do we continue working for a JOB or do we pursue our dream of working together for our own business, which may or may not succeed? As we have had businesses before, which did fail, we know from experience how it feels to be living without a steady paycheck. Can we try again? Can we rely on our wits to bring in income? Do we purchase a package to become educated, thus cutting the learning curve? Will this business be the one to succeed? Well, from Chris' story, and those of Colonel Sanders and Ron Popeil, the theme of never ever giving up helps to motivate me. I do believe there is something better out there, and it is very close. I don't see many people working for others and becoming wealthy and having real freedom.

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
As Chris says in the movie, "Don't let anyone tell you you can't do something." Even with his wife gone and his income down to $0 (the internship was unpaid) Chris believed that he had the talent and drive to become a stockbroker, and take himself and his son out of poverty.

My short piece does not do this movie justice. Everyone will find something they can relate to in this film. Chris Gardner, is such an inspiration, and I will think of him when I have doubts about my own abilities or future. I hope to see Will Smith nominated for an Oscar for his performance. He was able to make this character and all the emotions the situations threw at him completely believable. I highly recommend this film to everyone!