Weekends with Archie

An Inspiration from Mr. Chris Gardner

August 25, 2007

I just finished watching Pursuit of Happyness.  It features the struggles and success of Mr. Christopher Gardner who now owns a big stock brokerage company.  I'm sharing below a synopsis of the movie from his own website:

In The Pursuit of Happyness, Chris Gardner (Will Smith) is a family man struggling to make ends meet. Despite his valiant attempts to help keep the family afloat, the mother (Thandie Newton) of his five-year-old son Christopher (Jaden Christopher Syre Smith) is buckling under the constant strain of financial pressure. No longer able to cope, she reluctantly decides to leave.

Chris, now a single father, continues to doggedly pursue a better-paying job using every sales skill he knows. He lands an internship at a prestigious stock brokerage firm, and although there is no salary, he accepts, hopeful he will end the program with a job and a promising future. Without a financial cushion, Chris and his son are soon evicted from their apartment and forced to sleep in shelters, bus stations, bathrooms or wherever they can find refuge for the night.

Despite his troubles, Chris continues to honor his commitment as a loving and caring father, using the affection and trust his son has placed in him as an impetus to overcome the obstacles he faces.

While watching the movie, I can't help but reflect his life on mine. I am not exactly homeless and I do not have a son but I am financially challenged.  I absolutely earn my own money, live on my own, and help sustain the needs of my family while working in one of the most esteemed company that is pursued by many. And like Mr. Gardner, I also wanted to be a good father and a philanthropist someday. He once said to his son, "Don't let anything or anyone stop you from achieving your dream. Protect it and make it possible."

As I go on with life,  I am looking and pursuing my own state of happiness.  I'm having this movie as my inspiration.


Posted by archieriva at 4:45 pm | permalink

Previous Comments

i also got to watch this movie only this weekend…and yes, i like that line..protect your dream..

by the way, i hope all is fine with your work, family and lovelife. nice blog- its relaxing and light. chaw!

Posted by vladimir at August 25, 2007, 9:34 pm

hi diang, roommate!

naks, pure english. :) salamat sa pangangamusta sa akin. family? my constant struggle and goal. work? not my forte nor my passion but really i have to. lovelife? it’s complicated. i know you know.

And thanks for the blog compliment. Surely, this is my outlet from busy bustling life.

P.S. Tol, I’m proud of you. Your projects now are your stepping stones to more! Dream on and God bless.

Posted by archieriva at September 16, 2007, 12:18 am

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