Simplify and Thrive: Forrest Gump and the "One Bag Life of a Mental Health Warrior"
- Bruce Schutter
- Sep 4
- 5 min read
The other day, I decided to take a stroll in the park — one of those much-needed moments to clear my head and escape the daily grind. The sun was shining, birds were chirping, and everything seemed peaceful — until I quite literally ran into Forrest Gump. Yes, the Forrest Gump. You know, the guy who famously said, “Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.”
As Forrest and I both caught our breath (he had been running across the country, after all), we started talking. I’ve always admired his ability to take life as it comes and focus on what truly matters.
His perspective hit home for me, especially considering my own journey. For 20 years, I struggled with Bipolar Disorder, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders and PTSD. Those challenges left me feeling so powerless I even tried to end my life. But in that darkest moment, I discovered something that changed everything: mental health is the key to overcoming any challenge.
Armed with that knowledge, I created the Mental Health Warrior Program — a bold new SELF-HELP approach that puts YOU in charge! So you can take charge of your emotions, triumph over challenges and build the life you truly want.
A New Warrior Path
I figured this was the perfect opportunity to share my book, One Bag Life of a Mental Health Warrior, with Forrest.
“Forrest,” I said, handing him a copy, “this book is about how a Warrior embraces a lifestyle of Less Stuff, More Experiences. That mindset empowered me to strengthen my mental health and triumph over challenges every single day.”
Forrest nodded, his eyes showing a spark of recognition. “I get that,” he said in his slow, deliberate way. “I’ve never been much for stuff. It’s the people I love and the things I do that make me happy.”
Then, true to form, Forrest launched into three lessons — each more heartwarming than the last — about how living simply and focusing on experiences had changed his life and the lives of those around him.
Lesson 1: Honoring Emotions
Forrest’s first story was about his best friend, Bubba, and their shrimp boat dream. After Bubba passed away in Vietnam, Forrest was determined to honor his friend’s memory by making that dream a reality. But it wasn’t really about the boat or the money; it was about the journey, the connection and keeping Bubba’s spirit alive.
“When I was out there on the boat,” Forrest said, “it wasn’t the shrimp or the boat that made me feel close to Bubba. It was knowing I was doing something he would’ve loved. It was the experience of being on the water, thinking of my friend. That’s what mattered.”
Our Turn:
It’s not material things that keep us connected, but the experiences and memories we create. Whether you’re honoring someone’s memory or deepening a relationship, focus on moments — not possessions.
When we allow ourselves to truly experience our emotions — joy, grief, love, or all of the above — we honor those feelings instead of suppressing them. Like Forrest found peace on the water, we can find healing in experiences that connect us to something greater than ourselves.
Here are a few ways to live this out:
Visit a place that holds special meaning for you or a loved one.
Engage in an activity they loved as a way to honor their spirit.
Share stories, laughter, and time with people who matter most.
It’s the journey, not the destination, that brings fulfillment. When we live with intention, every experience becomes a way to heal, grow and strengthen our mental health.
Lesson 2: New Mindset, New Life
Forrest’s next story was about Lieutenant Dan. After losing his legs in the war, Dan struggled with his identity and purpose. He was angry, frustrated, and lost. But Forrest, in his own steady way, helped Dan find new meaning in life — not with things, but by including him in the shrimping adventure and showing him the beauty of living for the experience, not the loss.
“Lieutenant Dan was angry for a long time,” Forrest said. “But when he finally came out on the boat with me and we weathered that storm together, he found peace. It wasn’t about the money we made — it was about being alive and finding something worth living for.”
Our Turn:
When struggling with identity or loss, it’s easy to feel stuck — like everything that once defined you has been stripped away. But Lieutenant Dan’s story reminds us that healing doesn’t come from replacing what’s lost. It comes from discovering new meaning in what remains.
Material fixes often fall short, because true transformation happens through experience, connection and resilience. That shift — choosing to engage with life instead of shutting down — is the new mindset that leads to a new life.
Here are a few ways to practice it:
Step into something new: Try a hobby, class, or challenge that gives you a sense of accomplishment.
Surround yourself with positive experiences: Spend time with people who uplift and support you.
Embrace the journey, not just the outcome: Healing doesn’t happen overnight. Small steps toward purpose add up.
Like Lieutenant Dan, we all have storms to weather. But on the other side of those storms lies an opportunity to rediscover ourselves — and create a new life from a new mindset!
Lesson 3: Happiness in Each Experience
The last story Forrest shared was about Jenny, the love of his life. Jenny’s years had been filled with trauma and hardship, but through it all, Forrest never stopped loving her.
When they were finally together, their happiness wasn’t found in the house they lived in or the things they owned — it was in the time they spent together: the quiet walks, the laughter, the simple moments that became lifelong memories.
“Jenny and I, we didn’t need much,” Forrest reflected. “Just being together, walking and talking — that’s what mattered. That’s where she found happiness.”
Our Turn:
True connection isn’t built on possessions — it’s built on presence. The relationships that bring us joy and healing don’t thrive on gifts or grand gestures, but on time, attention, and shared experiences.
If you want to strengthen a relationship or your own sense of happiness — focus less on “what” you can give, and more on “how” you can show up.
Here are some ways to cultivate deeper connections:
Be present: Put away distractions and give your full attention to the people who matter.
Create shared moments: Whether it’s a walk, a conversation, or a small adventure, experiences leave the deepest impact.
Offer support through presence, not possessions: Sometimes, simply being there is the greatest gift of all.
Like Forrest and Jenny, happiness isn’t found in what we own, but in the moments we share. Often, it’s the simplest things — a walk, a laugh, a quiet moment of understanding — that hold the greatest power.
Wrap Up
As our conversation came to an end, I handed Forrest a copy of my book, One Bag Life of a Mental Health Warrior.
“I like this,” he said with a thoughtful smile. “It’s simple, and it makes sense. Life isn’t about the stuff you have; it’s about the things you do and the people you care about.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself. As Forrest laced up and prepared to continue his run across the country, he promised to carry my book — and its message — with him, sharing it with the people he met along the way.
So, take a page from Forrest’s journey (and my book!) and embrace a life of Less Stuff, More Experiences. True wealth isn’t found in what we own — it’s in the moments we create, the people we uplift, and the experiences that shape us.
That’s what strengthens us as Mental Health Warriors and helps us THRIVE every single day!
Bruce Schutter
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