Forrest Gump and the Allure of Ambition

The movie is a lot better than the book. Really.

Warning:

Though not overtly glamorized, Paramount Pictures' Forrest Gump does contain depictions of violence, sexual immorality, drug and alcohol abuse, and foul language. It carries an MPAA rating of PG-13.

This fictional film explores the remarkable life of an unremarkable citizen of the world, Forrest Gump. I won't spoil it if you've not seen it, nor rehash the synopsis if you have.

I'll only share a few of my thoughts.

Though overdramatized and comically exaggerated, Forrest's amazing string of experiences all share one thing in common: Forrest's willingness to forget himself in the service of others. This is worthy of our emulation.

Forrest is always thinking about others in his life, and how he can be present. He doesn't seek to give them all the answers or solve their problems. He seeks to be with them, to listen, to care.

How does this kind of simple caring presence affect people? Look at the movie's two major examples, Jenny Curran and Lieutenant Dan Taylor.

They contrast in how Jenny began her life of trauma and struggle, leading to the great trials of her life, and ultimate redemption through Forrest.

Lieutenant Dan's journey differs in that he seemingly had things together in life, then lost everything due to Forrest's unselfish actions, and the resulting identity crisis and struggle to reconcile to God through Forrest.

They both found rest from the storms of their lives as they spent time with Forrest and learned from him the goodness possible in every person. The world seemed a little kinder just by looking to Forrest for companionship. Jenny found the strength to move herself from her life of addiction as she sought Forrest's stability. Lieutenant Dan found the power to forgive God by seeking to keep a flippant promise made to Forrest in a bar during a miserable moment.

I think a major component of Forrest's greatness is his lack of worldly ambition. He ignores or is not aware of any need to be popular, influential, or powerful. Herein lies his power for helping his struggling friends.

His intellect (or lack thereof, if you choose to see him that way) protects him from much that corrupts. His pure heart allows him to meet others where they are, and see them as they can become. He is not limited by the here and now, ironically, by his seeking to humbly be present in their lives and to provide companionship and comfort. Forrest’s friends work out their own problems, with Forrest taking the role of a servant style leader.

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Though not entirely without merit, there are already plenty of harsh, critical thinkers. There are enough cynical realists. What we need are more kind supporters. More strength born of right living. More gentle persuasion instead of loud attention-grabbing.

It's easy to moralize on big global issues. What are you doing in your immediate sphere of influence? How do those closest to you know you care about them? If everyone took care of those around them, the whole world would be changed, without anyone seeking to change the whole world.

Do you have to completely eliminate ambition from your life? I don't think so. You may rightly be on a path to greatness. I just ask that you seek to be present for those who are placed in that path along the way. Don't be too quick to rush on by. Use every opportunity you can to seek to bring light to others.

From another film, definitely worthy of your time:

"Sometimes the things that may or may not be true are the things a man needs to believe in the most: That people are basically good, that honor, courage and virtue mean everything, that power and money, money and power mean nothing, that good always triumphs over evil ... that love, true love never dies." - Hub McCann, Secondhand Lions, New Line Cinema

The world could use a few more Forrest Gumps. And Hub McCanns.

"Ambition must be made to counteract ambition." — James Madison, Federalist No. 51