THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
This movie is based on a true story on how that a man called Chris has to pass through trauma from being poor to achieving his dreams. He knew that, that which we have called failure is just an opportunity to go back, prepare and come again .He knew every no, rejection, failure brings with it the seed of an equivalent advantage to grow and be great. Winners do not quit. Chris taught us, Practical dreamers do not quit.A mind that is resolutely determined is halfway to achieving greatness. When the going got hard and he didn’t know anything to do, when his son (Christopher)also wanted to become a basketball player, in a situation that they thought was impossible, Chris taught him something that I believe changed his perception. This movie depicts the happiness that follows what we have called struggling to become successful. Winning at something is not only getting reward or becoming successful in it,it is a burning desire backed by faith that does not quit. Knowing and understanding how to play the game of life by pondering on some of the dialogues from the movie.
1.Don't let someone tell you that you can't do something,not even your father.You got a dream,you’ve got to protect it.When people can't do something themselves,they are going to tell you you can't do it.You want something,go get it.Period!
Before success reach any man,he/she is likely to face some failures and temporary defeat,and when this happens the easiest thing to do is to give up on your dreams.The people who choose to be committed and persistence in reaching their goals which in turn leads to being obsess with achieving their dreams,becomes the victors.You have to understand that every failure brings a seed of an equivalent success.
2.Still a dream,yet more of a realist than even before,I knew this was my time to sail.on the horizon I saw the shining future as before.The difference now was that I felt the wind at my back.I was ready.
He had a dream,finally he took steps towards his dream and then he converted that dream into reality.He realised dreams does not work,we do.Whatever we want in life,if we are going to meet the requirements of achieving sure greatness,we will have it.We don’t get from life what we want,but what we deserve.The farmer does not harvest because he wants to but because he deserves it.If he doesn’t plant anything,he can’t harvest.
3.Wealth can also be that attitude of gratitude with which we remind ourselves everyday to count our blessings.
Whatever we think about and thank about we bring about.Being thankful or showing gratitude is a state of mind,which not only shows how grateful we are.It is a state of being,that is receiving before having or physically manifesting it.
4.This part of my life...this part right here.this is called happiness.
One of the most asked questions,is what is happiness.The most popular definition or meaning of happiness that we hear people all over the world say is that,happiness is from within,it is a state of mind.It is a mental conditioning to focus on that which you have than that which you want.Real happiness is seeing yourself fall repeatedly and getting up every time you fall until you achieve your dream.It takes patience dedication discipline and persistence for one to achieve his/her dream.It takes focus.In the case of Chris it was to make his family happy,and he never stopped until he achieved his goals. He quarreled with his wife to achieve his desired goal, Can’t he convince his wife to stay together and work to achieve his goal?
5.I am not what happens to me.I am what I choose to be.
Life is like the seasons.It repeats it self every year.The same as circumstances,it happens to all of us.What matters most is not what is happening but our interpretation of that which is happening.If you’re going to see yourself as a victor,knowing every adversity has in it a seed that leads to success,you will embrace it rather than fight it.Even in our schools,before one move from a lower lever to a higher one he/she has to pass his/her exams.
many times we forget who we are.We say we’re uniquely created,and yet forget that if we’re uniquely created,then it means we are the first and only kind in this universe living our lives.This tells us,we are the first of our kind,and if we are the first,there can not be anything as failing or failure.If you don’t have any results to compare yourself to or what you’re doing,how can you say you have fail.There is no such thing as failure for the man who is uniquely created,because he is the only kind .There is experiencing,growing to know what to go and what not to engage in,it not contributing to you achieving your dreams.He taught Christopher nothing is impossible for the man who desires something in faith.
Does this mean I have to be happy when I fail?
Below are different theories of ethics in this movie:
Theory of Deontology, which means that, do your duty no matter how critical the situation is. In this movie, Chris,being a responsible father, even though was poor at the moment, decided to protect his son and sacrifice all that he could to give him education even after his wife left him .He was left with nothing, and became homeless.All he was left with was his son.It is ethical for one to stress such a young boy in other to make a living for him?Or it would have been appropriate for his mother to have left with him(Christopher)because she had gotten a job at that time?
Talking of Long-term orientation, Chris was facing temporary defeats of achieving his goals or making his dream a reality,but despite that he never gave up,he was so focused on his future(dreams)that nothing was able to stop him. Does one always has to commit himself to a particular dream without creating a possibility to retreat?Or sometimes you need a back up plan?
What would have happened if he wasn’t selected?
Chris was a person of Low power Uncertainty These are categories of people who are risk takers.They are ever ready to question everything.When they are in search for something,they make sure they do everything in their power to get it even if it will mean breaking of the rules and regulations.In the movie, Chris runs in the highway without considering the moving cars,not even responding to traffic.All he knew was making sure he will achieve his goal for the day.He fought with someone in a queue and quarrelled with his own friend over $14 that he owed him.We can’t recall anywhere in the movie where he thought of his well being.Only his dreams,he only cared about his dream.So,the question is,does one has to risk all to the point of risking their life to achieve their objective?
Is it ethical to risk ones life in pursuit for happiness or in creating a good life for the other or your child?
OVERALL, THIS MOVIE TEACHES US THAT,EVERY GREAT INVENTION OR ACHIEVEMENT WAS ONCE A DREAM THAT WAS WORKED UPON WITHOUT QUITTING.
