The Pursuit of Happyness
One of the most inspiring movie flicks for wanna-be millionaires like you and me would have to be The Pursuit of Happyness. “Happiness” was intentionally incorrectly spelled to “Happyness”. This movie tells of the exploits of Chris Gardner as he maneuvered his life from a state of poverty and homelessness to becoming one of the most acclaimed self-made millionaire in the US. Lately, we were able to see it again on TV and though we’ve seen it a couple of times already, we just cannot get our eyes of it.
Chris Gardner’s early life was characterized by challenges and misfortunes. It was his mother’s significant presence that inspired him to dream for a brighter future. All the while, he thought that his career lies in the area of sales, particularly, in the medical field. A richly clad person who drove a ferrari changed this mindset. Upon meeting and conversing this person, he sought to become one of the most successful stockbrokers in the industry. During his training as a stockbroker, he struggled to make ends meet. He knew he could not sacrifice this opportunity in lieu of other better paying jobs. He knew that after 6 months of training, he will be on his way to becoming what he wanted to be. This 6 month period proved to be a straining experience for Chris and his son. They were homeless and practically penniless. The money from the sale of the bone scanners was not enough to sustain them through out this time. However, despite the risks, Chris persisted to finish the training and be a certified stock broker. He did well and was soon given the chance to work in the company. Later on, Chris founded his own company and eventually became a millionaire.
If there is one word to describe Mr. Gardner, that would be tenacity. The many hardships that he encountered did not break him down. He had a goal in mind and he was firmly resolved to get it. Anyone who would see the movie would truly love his traits and ideals. He was focused and passionate. Though he doggedly pursued his dream, he did not sacrifice his role as a father to his son. Essentially, that is for me the true meaning of happiness. Attaining millionaire status is not an egoistic dream. Like in my case, I would like to be filthy rich not because of power or prestige… rather, to secure the future of my kids, to make sure that we will be sheltered and comfortable in the event of a rainy weather or a storm.
However, for the benefit of soon-to-be rich fellows like you and me, one of the important morals of Chris Gardner’s story is sheer effort and determination. Regardless of what field you wish to take, it is imperative that we retain our focus and will towards the attainment of our goals. It will not be an easy ride. As was stressed in other posts, the ride can get bumpy. Stoic determination will enable us to overcome the obstacles and hurdles that we will meet along the way. On the other hand, following Gardner’s lead of becoming a stock broker, what are our chances of becoming rich in this industry? For one, I believe that it is the most competitive, exhausting and stressful careers that one can engage to. It will require tremendous effort to penetrate the market and establish a client base. For some who manage to make it, they enjoy higher salaries and bigger benefits. Few, however, actually land on a partnership in their firms. In my opinion, one of the greater benefits from being a stockbroker is having the training to appropriately scrutinize market trends and all. Later on, if you plan to put in your investments, then you are more equip to make wise decisions.
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