In November of 2006 en route Bangkok, Thailand I encountered a huge billboard at the Brisbane Central Station advertising “The pursuit of happyness” directed by Gabriele Muccino and based on the true story of Chris Gardner. The film starred Wil Smith and ushered in Wil Smith’s son, Jayden Smith, as an actor in his own right. While flying to San Juan, Puerto Rico in 2007 I had the chance to watch the movie on the 8 hour flight from Brisbane to Los Angeles. It was a movie that would leave a striking impression on me.
A year later, I was again in Brisbane riding on the freeway and at every bus stop, Wil Smith would again stare at me; another billboard, another movie. “Seven pounds” again directed by Gabriele Muccino. Tonight I finally found time to watch the movie and like “The pursuit of happyness” it left me stunned that such a beautifully shot movie can carry such a powerful message.
Most people equate happyness with wealth. But countless rich men and women have admitted to the contrary. I admit, my father is imperfect, but I suppose the one life’s lesson he has taught me is that being content does bring happyness. Happyness stems from the fact that our mere appreciation for what life has given us is the secret; that the result of hard work is gratifying as it is important. My father is not the world’s richest men but he gave me the world’s greatest gift – that essentially when you have fought the good fight, be content as happyness will come naturally with it. If your fight brings wealth and insurmountable riches, like it did Gardner, the joy and happyness you feel is a very different experience.
The next part of the equation is essentially important as the first. Sharing. Being content means when you have more than enough, share – it doubles/quadruples/extrapolates the happyness. The Pursuit of Happyness tells of how Gardner gives back and in giving Gardner clearly feels a great sense of happyness.
“Seven Pounds” takes the art of sharing to another level. It tells a story that in one’s loss and despair, you can make a difference in someone’s life. That when you have finally reached the end of the road, don’t give up! Explore opportunities that do exist for you to make a difference in someone else’s life – someone who can live on and carry your legacy with them.
I have lived a good life, content that the path I have chosen is my calling in life; its miserable at times with its obvious ups and downs but I look forward to the day when I have to move on that I can also leave a legacy for someone else to make a difference in this life. Perhaps, in a big or small way – just like I have in this life.