Forrest Gump and the Need to be Great
One of my all-time favorite movies is Forrest Gump, starring Tom Hanks.
The movie covers a span of historical events over the course of Forrest’s life. Everything from the discovery of Elvis Presley, the assassination of JFK, the scandal of Watergate to the protests of the Vietnam War, Buzz and Neil's walk on the moon, and investing in Apple, Inc. (or as Forrest would say, “some kind of fruit company.”)
There are the not-so-historical moments that are pretty big in the movie, too. Forrest’s founding of a shrimping industry and the three-year run across America are honorable mentions.
I’m almost embarrassed to say this but I once wrote my third-grade girlfriend a three page (front and back) summary of the movie. You must remember back then kids passed love notes in class with sentiments of “Do you like me? Check yes or no.” It was a rough time for love back then.
The thing about Forrest is that in of all those moments in history, not a single time did he do it to attain glory for himself. He chose to save his friends’ lives in Vietnam because they were his friends, not because he was after the Medal of Honor. He chose to become a shrimping boat captain to honor the promise he made to Bubba, not because he wanted to rake in millions of dollars. He ran not for what all the reporters thought he was running for, but he ran because he just felt like running.
All the endeavors Forrest set his heart after, he genuinely did it for the betterment of the other or to clear his mind—never for the sake of desiring acclamation.
Perhaps it is the clever guise of social media but far too often I perceive the need to outdo the other. I see it in those that I follow on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. The innate need to be known by others runs deep when we compare ourselves to those that have “made it,” those who we perceive to be having a better life than us. I know this to be true because it’s something I personally have to wrestle with.
Shauna Niequist puts it succinctly when it comes to how we document our lives via social media,
““When you’re waiting for your coffee to brew, the majority of your friends probably aren’t doing anything any more special. But it only takes one friend at the Eiffel Tower to make you feel like a loser.””
For the most part, social media makes us think that we are living a wasted life if we are not doing something that is deserving of making a post about it. Whether it be a trip to Europe, front row seats at a famous rock concert, or some other grandiose undertaking, there is a need within us to share that experience via photo. A photo that's taken no longer stays with the party involved; it goes into the far reaches of the Internet.
While I don't have all the answers on how to counter this, here are three questions to ask when deciding on whether or not you should share your posts in the future.
1. What’s the condition of my heart as I think about posting this?
Probably the biggest question that we can ask ourselves when we think about what we’re getting ready to post. Am I looking for comments and likes from this post? If so, what counts as feeling validated or feeling like I’ve failed to connect? Do I need to have more than 50 likes and 10 retweets?
2. Am I looking to encourage others or am I looking to encourage myself?
Maybe you are one of those people who post things to inspire others. Whether it’s an inspirational quote, a Bible passage, or a side by side selfie of how you lost weight, who is your audience in that moment? Am I posting this because I want to help others or am I posting this to make others think I am brilliant and accomplished?
3. When enjoying a personal experience with others, do you automatically think, “I can’t wait to share this on social media?”
If the answer to this question is yes, then I would suggest taking a moment to step back and examine your motives for posting. I would even recommend not posting the experience if that’s all you desire in that moment. Your heart may be in the wrong place in that situation. (See Jeremiah 17:9)
Forrest Gump lived a very plain, ordinary life that just so happened to intersect with pivotal moments in history. Even though social media was not a platform during his time, his interactions with friends, the community, Jenny, and even himself show the kind of character he had—one that would not bow down to the need of wanting to be great in the eyes of others.
