Every now and then there is a movie that changes you at your very core.
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There is a movie that has touched me and made me examine life, not just as a father or husband, but a man as well. That movie is The Pursuit of Happyness starring Will Smith. The best part—it’s based on a true story!
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I wanted to change my attitude but I just couldn’t do it. At least not until I saw The Pursuit of Happyness.
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The movie taught me a lot about life and not giving up. It showed me that no goal or dream is unreachable and that when it comes to family, you push and push to give them the life they deserve.
I am lucky to have five amazing children in my life. But, to be honest, life is not always easy. There are many struggles I’ve come across, whether financial or personal. The good thing though is that I don’t let them get to me. I continue pushing through life, with the mentality that it will get better and my family will have everything they deserve.
I haven’t always thought this way. I used to think more negatively and try to find excuses for why my life wasn’t going the way I thought it should. I’d get angry at myself because I didn’t think I was providing for my family. I wanted to change my attitude but I just couldn’t do it. At least not until I saw The Pursuit of Happyness.
Seeing the struggles the title character Chris Gardner went through to achieve a better life not just for himself, but his son was very inspiring. This man knew he needed to make a change in his life to achieve something great. He dedicated his life to achieving his dream, and the best part is, he had the greatest motivation, his son.
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“Don’t let anyone tell you what you can or can not be, including myself.”
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I’m no Chris Gardner, but I am a father. My wife and children are who I dedicate my life to. I still may not be doing the work I want to be doing, and I’m still facing challenges along the way, but I do not let this get to me anymore. I know that I just have to stay strong and believe, and good things will start happening for me and my family. Chasing the Pursuit of Happyness is not easy, but if you do it with the right attitude and outlook on life, then anything is possible.
One of my favorite lines in the movie is when Will Smith’s playing basketball with his son. He tells his son that he can’t be what he wants to be, and this devastates his son. Once he sees the disappointment his words caused, he realizes he was wrong. As he is consoling his son, he tells him “don’t let anyone tell you what you can or can not be, including myself.” He put into his son the mindset that anything is possible and then he went out and proved it. To this day, I tell my children the same thing. The Pursuit of Happiness is more than a movie to me. It is a motivator, an inspiration and most of all proof. Proof that any goal or dream can be reached and that a better life for my family is just around the corner.
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