Suitable audience: young people who are looking for a purpose in life; people who are trapped in reality and cannot extricate themselves.
First Teaching: Change is the first step in finding happiness.
We have all walked a path that others have designed for us. We don't like this pre-determined life, but we don't have the courage to change, we're afraid of having nothing. Hanks Jr. was the same, but unlike us, he ditched a promising way out to do what he loved: writing. This may seem silly to many. But as he himself said: I'm not happy, I need to try.
This simple sentence is not light. How many people would rather do something they don't like than risk making a change? Change means reality, reality means pain. We who choose to stick to the rules can only get further and further away from happiness. Only change can give you a chance to be happy. In any case, always take this first step.
Second Doctrine: Pain is the only way to happiness.
Because to pay the bills, one has to find a job that pays, even if it's not so glamorous. Little Hanks, who casually became a third-rate magician's assistant with a weird personality, was destined to face all kinds of doubts, suspicions, ridicules and even insults. After experiencing all kinds of embarrassment and wanting to resign many times, he finally stayed by accident.
Are we not such a contradictory person? We are often shaken and unconfident about what we are doing, and even every friend around us persuades us to give up. But as long as it is determined that this is the change we must make in this life, then the change itself is the most important thing, why should we care that the process is not so smooth. After all, we have changed, and as long as we are serious about changing, the process is a valuable experience. On the contrary, if you have the attitude of life in the game, even if you win the jackpot every day, what fun is there?
The third doctrine: believe in yourself, hold on to your faith, and miracles will always happen
Young people give up their studies and work part-time to survive, struggling to find a breakthrough and unable to do what they really like. Old Buck insisted on performing and did not give up hope. Although he has been unremarkable, he performed small miracles in obscurity every day. Until the end, the young man gave up the old Buck and found a really decent job. Old Buck gave up his dream of being famous and went back to the small theater to take the old road of third-rate roles. Young people break free from the past because of confusion and strive for a new life for their faith. Old Buck broke through himself because of his dreams and changed his beliefs for a new life. In the end, the young man who came back to Old Buck with doubts witnessed a real miracle because Old Buck regained his faith. Two different life paths eventually converge at the intersection of beliefs.
That's what the film tells us at the end. Faith is about the essence of happiness. Change, take the first step in the pursuit of happiness. Even as a young man, discover your own beliefs in the midst of change. Even like old Buck, find his true faith in the change. No matter how many people question our ways, we ourselves must believe that we are changing for happiness, and if we are not happy, we must try, just like young Hanks. No matter what kind of surrender the world's glitz requires us to make, we must hold the firm belief in ourselves: do what I like to do. Just like the great old Buck.
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