Conceptual Storytelling Homework 1

            The film, Forrest Gump, was the story that affected me the most.  Forrest Gump is a simple man with a low I.Q., however, he never sees this as an obstacle and accomplishes many things in his life such as serving in Vietnam, winning medals, starting a shrimp fleet, meeting the president but most of all loving others including his childhood friend Jenny.

            The reason I relate to this movie and especially to Forrest is that I have a learning disability.  I had to take special education classes in school but by the end of my education in high school I had been mainstreamed into a lot of general education classes and graduated with honors.  I have to work harder at some thing but like Forrest, I’ve have had accomplishments such as earning my Eagle Scout and receiving my Associates Degree in Digital Art & Animation graduating Cuma Laude. I am now pursuing my bachelor’s degree in Media Arts & Animation at the Art Institute of North Hollywood. 

            One of my favorite scenes in the movie is when Forrest Gump is running around the world.  One day he went for a run and just did not stop until three and half years later.  Not knowing at first why he was running, it finally came to him that he was trying to work out his feelings of things going on in his life such as his love for Jenny and the deaths of his mother and best friend Bubba.  When I feel overwhelmed I need to go for a long walk to try to clear my mind and figure out my problems and feelings. 

            Although I have not found my love like Forrest did with Jenny he never gave up on his love for her even though she did not return it until towards the end of her life.   This made me sad but it does encourage me that someday I will find some one to love who will love me back. 

            There are great quotes from this movie that I can relate to such as when Forrest mom says “Life's a box of chocolates, Forrest. You never know what you're gonna get” and when Forrest asks his mom “What’s my destiny, Mama?” and she replied “You’re gonna have to figure that out for yourself.”  I believe to accomplish our destiny we need to work hard and never give up on pursuing our dreams.   That is what makes Forrest Gump such as wonderful story.  He believed in himself although most of the time the world did not believe in him.