In a conversation with my boss, who happens to be my middle son, I channeled Forrest Gump and paraphrased one of Forrest’s famous lines. I said, “I may not be a smart man, but I know what nonprofits are.”  He is the president and CEO of a nonprofit, TEXSAR, and I have spent about two-thirds of my life in the nonprofit world, in one way or another. We chuckled, but the expression also brought to mind some of the movie’s other great lines.

The film has always been a favorite of mine, for more, and deeper, reasons than I could explain in a narrative. Maybe over a bourbon or three, but only maybe. Now, with the soundtrack playing at high volume, other of Forrest’s phrases come to mind. One stands out.

“I’m pretty tired. I think I’ll go home now.”

I hope I have the presence of mind to say that on my death bed, but, in the meantime, the statement still has a powerful message of surrender and destiny. It is a surrender after great effort, and a destiny that beckons. We should all have such things: effort and destiny. And we should keep those in mind for our days and our lives.

What about just being tired from the day’s labors and challenges? Go home.  Home is where the heart is. Go home to the people you love, the things you love to do, the environments you love to be in… You will find comfort, solace and recovery there. Put in the effort in the moment and the day, and you’ll find that your destiny includes the people, places and things you love.