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As much as people like to knock “reality TV” I am finding at least 80% of what I watch on television these days is just that. If you have watched Survivor you know there are certain personality types the producers seem to cast but interestingly maybe those they select are actually representative of our society.  You have those who have no clue why they are there and those who know exactly why they are there.  You have some who are lazy, yet some break their back to provide for their tribe.

You have some contestants who are old, some are young, some are male and some female.  Some come to the game with a clear strategy and some ride the coattails of others to make it as far as they can.  Some are smart, some are athletic, and some rely on their looks to get them through the game.  Some are honest yet most lie.  Some stay loyal while others stray from the commitments they made to their tribe upon the merge.  Don’t even get me started on the merge.  It never ceases to amaze me how many times it is advantageous to stick together as a tribe yet someone always falters and stabs their tribe mates in the back by voting against someone they committed their allegiance to because they feel doing so will ultimately further themselves in the game.

Be like Gump, Forrest Gump that is.  Forrest loved Jenny and his mother unconditionally, he was faithful to his friends even if it meant risking his own life, what Gump lacked in intelligence he made up for by living the golden rule (treat others or love how you want to be treated or loved), and he never let life’s obstacles impede his progress.

Forrest Gump: [narrating] You know, it’s funny what a young man recollects. ‘Cause I don’t remember being born. I, I don’t recall what I got for my first Christmas, and I don’t know when I went on my first outdoor picnic. But, I do remember the first time I heard the sweetest voice in the wide world.

Young Jenny: You can sit here if you want.

Forrest Gump: [narrating] I had never seen anything so beautiful in my life. She was like an angel.

Young Jenny: Well, are you gonna sit down, or aren’t ya?

[Young Forrest sits down next to Jenny]

Young Jenny: What’s wrong with your legs?

Young Forrest: Um, nothing at all, thank you. My legs are just fine and dandy.

Young Jenny: Then why do you have those shoes on?

Young Forrest: Momma says my back is as crooked as a question mark.

Forrest Gump: [narrating] I just sat next to her on that bus and had conversation all the way to school. And next to Momma, no one ever talked to me or asked me questions.

Young Jenny: Are you stupid or something?

Young Forrest: Momma says stupid is as stupid does.

Young Jenny: I’m Jenny.

Young Forrest: I’m Forrest. Forrest Gump.

Forrest Gump: [narrating] From that day on, we was always together. Jenny and me was like peas and carrots.

Maybe we could all learn from our friend Mr. Gump.  Life may be a game we all play but it is how you play the game which determines who really wins at the end of the day/game.  Live a good life, find what makes you happy, and live life to its fullest.

Forrest Gump: What’s the matter, Momma?

Mrs. Gump: I’m dyin’, Forrest. Come on in, sit down over here.

Forrest Gump: Why are you dyin’, Momma?

Mrs. Gump: It’s my time. It’s just my time. Oh, now, don’t you be afraid, sweetheart. Death is just a part of life. It’s something we’re all destined to do. I didn’t know it, but I was destined to be your momma. I did the best I could.

Forrest Gump: You did good, Momma.

Mrs. Gump: Well, I happened to believe you make your own destiny. You have to do the best with what God gave you.

Forrest Gump: What’s my destiny, Momma?

Mrs. Gump: You’re gonna have to figure that out for yourself. Life is a box of chocolates, Forrest. You never know what you’re gonna get.

Forrest Gump: [narrating] Momma always had a way of explaining things so I could understand them.

Mrs. Gump: I will miss you, Forrest.

Forrest Gump: [narrating] She had got the cancer and died on a Tuesday. I bought her a new hat with little flowers on it. And that’s all I have to say about that.