I was talking to a good friend of mine last night about one of my favorite movies. I'm sure most of you have probably seen it, and were inspired by the story. Its curious to me how many people don't know its a biography and not just a drama film portrayed brilliantly by Will Smith.
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An inspiring film no doubt, that teaches the power of perseverance. I realize that there are a few people out there who don't like these types of film and I can respect that fact, but I would still insist in the importance of the lesson its attempting to teach. Regardless of our background, our upbringing every single one of us is working towards our version of that goal, every single one of us is attempting to be happy.
How we define being happy, how we get there, that is a personal question that no one can answer for us. I say this because as someone who has mentored many leaders of a big organization I've had to learn to recognize the individual goals, and help those who I'm attempting to teach achieve them in the best way that I can.
A lesson that might not be too apparent when watching the film or just hearing about the story, is one of humility. No doubt we can't achieve anything if we don't believe that we can, but also we can't learn anything if we believe we already know it all.
I think that is why the story resonates with me so much, because every single time I've tried to improve I've had to recognize that there was still work to be done first. It's the same for every single one of us, if we think we know it all, if we think that the world just is, these are the cards we have and that's it. We can't effectively be ready to grow, to receive the lesson and move past the things holding us back.
To be honest, this story as inspiring as it may be, its quite extreme. I'm not saying that it doesn't happen, of course I'm sure it does, but most of us feel as if we are living something just as difficult, while we are enjoying the comforts of a bed, of a pillow, of a meal.
I guess my point, or the message of this unusual reflection is that it does no matter where you are today. It does not matter how hard things seem to be. If you are willing to learn, if you are willing to grow, you can always find a way to do so.
It just starts with that strong decision, conviction...
