In the 2006 movie, The Pursuit of Happyness, Will Smith plays a man named Chris Gardner. He is outside playing basketball with his son, who is played by Smith’s real son, Jaden. He tells his son that he will be able to excel in a lot of things, but not basketball. He tells him that he doesn’t want him he doesn’t want him shooting hoops all day and night.
His son is obviously discouraged by his father’s words. Will Smith realizes this, and says to his son, “Hey. Don’t ever let somebody tell you… You can’t do something. Not even me. All right? You got a dream… You gotta protect it. People can’t do somethin’ themselves, they wanna tell you you can’t do it. If you want somethin’, go get it. Period.”
Often times parents say things to their kids with the best of intentions. But it doesn’t always come out right and sometimes parents don’t realize how much they need to be a cheerleader for their child in that moment.
What I love about this movie, is that it is based on a true story. But I love the awareness that Chris’s character has about minimizing his son’s hopes and dreams.
You should never give up on your dreams because someone else doesn’t believe in you. Even if it is someone you love. You go out there and live your dreams.
And never listen to what people say you can and cannot do:
