Well, my vacation was golden! I had an absolutely wonderful time. I should have known it was going to be great when I happened upon....
Chris Gardner (The movie Pursuit of Happyness was based on his life)
He was such a warm, inviting and down to earth brother who was happy to speak into my life. We talked briefly...I wish the flight would have been further delayed...then we had to board the plane for Dallas.
He left me with two things:
Perfect the product
and
Season the Bread
While conversing, he shared a story with us (me and my boy Kirk - he and his wife traveled with us) about when he went to Q's (Quincy Jones) crib. He said that Q did something he's never seen anyone else do as he was preparing dinner for his guests, he seasoned the bread before toasting it. He was so fascinated by Q's meal preparation techniques that it left an impression on me the way he detailed the account. He also spoke of perfecting the product - my friend Kirk has some seasonings that he would like to bring to market and he wanted some advice. Anyway, as I replayed my short time with Mr. Gardner back through my mind, I knew there had to be a reason for meeting him. I mean what are the odds that I'd meet him, in St. Louis of all places, so I knew God must have been trying to tell me something. I knew then that "perfect the product" and "season the bread" were metaphors for where I was in my life now - seeing as how I'm on my own pursuit of happyness. So, needless to say, meeting him was quite inspirational.
He also advised me to pick up his book, I wasn't surprised by that because any good business man would give pub to his work, so I'm going to grab it real soon. He mentioned that the movie was only one year in his life and that the book goes into greater detail and also offers as he put it "the money piece". So, if you are like me, on a pursuit of happyness, go get yourself a copy of Chris Gardner's book of the same title as the movie. Maybe there will be something waiting to spur you forward as well. Oh, he even had a rubicks cube with him, he was working the puzzle without even looking at it.
Mr. Gardner, if you are out there, thanks for your time. It was much obliged.
Mr. Gardner, if you are out there, thanks for your time. It was much obliged.
8 comments:
Oh, how excellent Rich! His words are inspiring and a gift! Welcome Back!
Pretty cool! I just saw the movie and was really amazed. I'll have to check out the book too!
Wow! That was awesome. I saw the movie and have the book.
welcome back rich!!!!
That was soooo flippin cool to meet someone so inspiring!!! That made my day...
I just watched the movie a few weeks ago. How absolutely cool that you met him!!! I love the picture of you two.
I love the photo of u two! I read the book - be warned - it AIN'T cozy as the movie! It was good, but that brother had a ROUGH start! Greatly inspiring;-)...i would be "jealous" but I know that God's got PLENTY o' Blessings to spread around! Welcome home, Bro Rich:-).
if you will pardon the pun...that is rich.
I haven't read the book yet. But I saw the movie. I cried... i confess. There aren't really that many inspiring or beautiful stories about good fathers. So its really nice that he shared his story with us. It helps remind all of us, that fathers struggle as much as mothers...
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