1. The Pursuit of
Happyness
Student Workbook
Name: _________________________

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What does it mean to be happy
Write downeightthingsthatmake you happy.
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Share your happythingswitha partnerand make yourtwo listsintoone.
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Share your newlistina groupof four,thena group of eight.Each time youneedtodecide asgroup the eighttop
thingsthat make youhappy.
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Nowlet’ssee if we can make a top 10 listof thingsthat make ushappyas a class:
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What do youthink will make youhappyinthe future,beyondschool?Whattype of life doyouwantto have?Job,
family,social,home,location,etc. Write ashortparagraph.
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Read the articleon the followingpageandcompletethe activitiesthat follow:

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Survey reveals what makes Australians feel
happy and healthy
Date: July 14, 2015 http://www.theage.com.au/nsw/survey-reveals-what-makes-australians-feel-happy-and-healthy-20150714-gic8sa.html
Melanie Kembrey and Aisha Dow
Positive indicator: Claire Salvetti (centre) with friends Dani McComber (left) and Sam Crawford. Photo: Dallas Kilponen
She isn't a machinery operator, has no plans to retire, doesn't mind a tipple and often borrows her neighbour's whipper
snipper.
Sydneysider Claire Salvetti might just be one of the happiest people in the country.
The 36-year-old, who is the managing partner of a public relations agency, ticks severalof the boxes that apparently
make Australians happy campers.
Ms Salvetti also exercises every day, is not poor and lives in a house that is not particularly close to heavy industry, an
airport or a train station.
The Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey, a long-term annual study of nearly 20,000
Australians, has teased out many revealing details about the things that we believe keep us happy and healthy.
The household-based panel study began in 2001, funded by the Australian government and managed by the University
of Melbourne.
While some of the results follow common sense maxims – such as being a healthy weight and not smoking – others
are more surprising.
Australians who consume up to 42 alcoholic drinks per week (six drinks per day, on average) are still reporting high
levels of short-term health and well-being, according to the survey.
"You are a seriously heavy drinker if you're drinking that much a night," said the report's author, Associate Professor
Roger Wilkins.
But before you rush to the nearest bottle shop, it is important to note that the survey does not take into account the
long-term effects of drinking.

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Government drinking guidelines say two standard drinks a day is the limit if you want to reduce "your risk of harm
from alcohol-related disease or injury over a lifetime".
Professor Wilkins also speculated people in poor health are less likely to drink more, while healthy twentysomethings
could still indulge. There is absolutely no evidence alcohol actually causes good health.
This is one of the happiness factors that surprised Ms Salvetti, who thought she was being very generous with her
eight standard drinks a week.
Another surprising factor is that work-life balance might not be as important as it appears. In fact,the more people
work, the better their health is.
Employees can work more than 51 hours in paid work and 81 hours of total work (that's more than 11 hours a day)
without any detrimental effect on their wellbeing, according to the report.
Other ingredients in the recipe of happiness: befriend your neighbours, avoid financial stress and have a high income –
and live somewhere quiet.
Sales workers and managers, like Ms Salvetti, have the best perceived job security, while labourers, machinery
operators and drivers have the worst.
"My job makes me pretty happy," Ms Salvetti said. "I'm happy to come to work every day. It's a really positive, happy
environment."
If you're a man, living with a partner will increase your general health but children cancelout the benefits of being in a
couple. Women do not see any obvious health benefits from being in a relationship, unless they also have children.
The study also suggests retirees, especially men, are likely to have poor health compared with just about everyone
else. "We are designed to work," Professor Wilkins said. "We need purpose."
Happy people also tend to live outside major urban centres,such as Sydney and Melbourne.
People who lived in towns smaller than 1000 people were most satisfied with life, followed by people that lived in
bigger regional towns. The report concluded that "major cities are the least desirable place to live".
And if you're a woman, there's one place you definitely need to go: Queensland. The report found women in the
Sunshine State were more satisfied with life than everyone else.
Otherwise, little difference could be found between the relative happiness of residents of other states and territories.
Professor Wilkins put that down to a fairly even distribution of economic success and wellbeing across the nation.
Ms Savetti says she won't rule out one day packing up her backs and heading north to take her happiness to the next
level.
She also might have an extra drink or two this week,with a cheers to being happy.
Read more:http://www.theage.com.au/nsw/survey-reveals-what-makes-australians-feel-happy-and-healthy-20150714-
gic8sa.html#ixzz3n0Raxi7V
Follow us:@theage on Twitter | theageAustralia on Facebook
1. Highlightthe mainthingsinlife thatthe surveysuggestsmakespeople happy.
2. Do youagree withsurveyresults?
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The Pursuit of Happyness – the movie
Watchthe filmtrailer(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89Kq8SDyvfg) ofThe Pursuitof Happynessand
complete the followingquestions:
1. What type of the filmisit?
Action Adventure Animation Comedy Crime Drama
Horror Mystery Romance Thriller Science Fiction
2. What isthe filmabout?
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3. What are the twoquestionsthatChrisasksthe stockbrokerwhoownsthe redcar?
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4. Chrisaskshis sonto trusthim because he is ________________________________________________
5. What isthe manfindingforChrisinhisoffice?
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6. What doesChristell hissontodo whenhe has a dream?
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Write a reflectiononwhatyouthinkitislike tobe homeless.
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Match the underlined words in the sentences with their meanings. Write the correct letters in the corresponding
lines.
1. _______ "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" is one of the most famous phrases in the United States
Declaration of Independence.
2. _______ Chris got an unpaid internship to do work for the company and learn about and train for the job.
3. _______ He is a stockbroker on Wall Street. His job is to help clients make good investments.
4. _______ Sorry, I can’t pay you back the money I borrowed because I am completely broke.
5. _______ Jewellery, fine wine, and cigarettes have an included luxury tax.
Why doyou thinkthe word‘happyness’isspeltincorrectly?
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Afterwatchingthe movie,write inthe reasonChrisgivesforthe incorrectspellingof the word‘happyness’.
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a. havingnomoney
b. a personor organizationwhose jobistobuyand sell shares,bondsetcfor people
c. somethingexpensivethatyoudonot need,butyoubuyfor pleasure andenjoyment
d. a job that lastsfora shorttime,thatsomeone,especiallyastudent,doesinordertogain
experience
e. whensomeone triestoget,achieve,orfindsomethinginadeterminedway

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Before watchingthe movie,read the followinginformationtogiveyou a goodunderstandingofthe film’s
background.
SUBJECTS — U.S./1945 - 1991 & Biography;
SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING — Father/Son;Parenting; Surviving; Work/Career; Alcohol &
Drug Abuse; Breaking Out; Spousal Abuse; Child Abuse;Education; Ambition; Male Role
Model.
MORAL-ETHICAL EMPHASIS — Responsibility; Caring.
Age: 12+; MPAA Rating -- PG-13 for some language; Drama; 2006; 117 minutes; Color
Description: In this movie, an African-American man,
abandoned by his father as an infant, vows that he will always
be present in the life of his child. Caught in a perfect storm of
bad luck, he becomes homeless. However, he manages to
take care of his son while pursuing a highly competitive,
unpaid internship as a stockbroker. The film was "inspired by"
events in the life of Christopher Gardner, who was once
homeless. He is now a wealthy stockbroker, as well as a proud
father.
Whatdo the words “inspiredby” mean (especiallyinregard to creatinga movie basedon a person’s life)?
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This movie is highly engaging. The story is well written, the production values are high, and Will
Smith's acting is simply magnificent.
Discusswith a partner the things youthink a person needs inorder to survive.In the tablebelow listfive thingsan
adultneeds and fivethingsa two year oldchildneeds.
Adult needs… Two year oldchild needs…

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Watchthe movieand then write a short synopsishighlightingthemainpointsin the movieyou thoughtwere
important.Includemajor themes andideas.
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Whichparts ofthe moviedo you thinkwere true to the original story?Whichparts were putinto the movie to
make is more ‘entertaining’?
True events Entertaining (unrealistic) Events

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Answer the followingquestionssceneby scene.
I. Job Interview scene
Chris is arrested for failure to pay parking tickets the night before his job
interview and has to stay in the police office for a night. He is having the
interview at 10:15 in thenext morning and he leaves the police office at 9:35am.
Let’s see how the interview goes.
1. How doesChrisgoto the interview company?
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2. What isChriswearingtothe interview?
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3. What doesChrisdo whenhe firstwalksintothe interview room?
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4. How didChrisdo in hishighschool?Howmany studentswerethere inhisclass?
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5. How doesJaydescribe Chris’sdressing?
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After watching thisscene of the film,discussthe followingquestions apartner. Be prepared to share your
responseswiththe class.
A. DidChrismake a good impressionatthe jobinterview?Whyorwhynot?
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B. If you were Chris,wouldyouacceptthe offerfromthe companywhenyouknew itwasunpaidandthere wasno
a reasonable promiseof ajob?Why or whynot?
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II. Basketball Scene
Chris brings Christopher to a basketball court to play basketball on a
Saturday. Christopher tells Chris that he is going to be a professional
basketballplayer.Watch the clip and listen to the conversations between the
father and son.
1. Where doesChristell hissontheywill goafterplayingbasketball?
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2. How doesChrisrespondtohisson whenChristophersayshe isgoingpro?
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3. What doesChristopherdotothe basketball afterhearingfromhisfather?
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4. What doesChristopheruse toholdhisbasketball?
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After watching thisscene of the film,discussthe followingquestionswith a partner. Be preparedto share your
responseswiththe class.

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A. At first,Christoldhissonthat he will neverbe a good basketball player. Then he gives his son different advice.
What did he tell his son?
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B. Why doesChrischange his mind and tell his son a different advice? Who do you think he is actually talking to?
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III. Football match scene
Chris has successfully reached a potential client and is offered a chance for an
appointment. However, he misses it because his boss asks him to park the car
for him. In order to get a second chance from the potential client, Chris takes
his son with him to visit the client at weekend. Will Chris get his first client from
this chance?
1. Whentheyare walkingtoMr. Ribbon’shouse,ChristopherasksChrisif theyare goingto the football game. How
does Chris reply to his son?
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2. How doesChristopherfinallyinterpretthe difference of the meaningbetween‘probably’and‘possibly’ interm
of the chance of goingto the football game?
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3. What does Chris say when Mr. Ribbon asks why Chris shows up in front of his door?
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4. Where does Chris tell Mr. Ribbon they are sitting when he asks where their seats are?
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5. What does actually ‘a box’ mean when referring to the seats in a football game?
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After watching thisscene of the film,discussthe followingquestions apartner. Be prepared to share your
responseswiththe class.
A. At the football game,the richclienttoldChristhathe will notuse hisservices.However,thiswasactually a lucky
day for Chris. Why?
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IV. Subway scene
Chris’s money has been taken by the government for paying taxes. He is
brokeand they are evicted fromthe motel.Chris and his son are homeless
and now they have nowhere to stay. How can Chris and his son face all
these difficulties and go on their life?
1. Where do Chris and his son go after they discover their things are
thrown out of their motel room?
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2. Chris tells Christopher that the guy in the park is correct and says the scanner is actually a
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3. After pressing the black button and opening their eyes, what does Chris tell Christopher that he can see?
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4. Chrissays to Christopherthattheyare cavemenandtheyhave to find a cave in order to be safe. Where do they
finally stay?
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After watching thisscene of the film,discusshe followingquestions apartner. Be prepared to share your
responseswiththe class.
A. Do you think it is alright for the government to take money directly from the bank account of those who are
overdue to pay for the taxes without sending a prior notice? Why or why not?
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B. If you were Chris, what would you feel and would you continue to work in the company for an unpaid
internship?
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V. Ending scene
Six months have passed and it is the last day of Chris’s internship. He is called
to enter the conference room. Can Chris be the one who gets the official
employment from the company after the internship?
1. How does Chris’s boss respond to him when he says he wears a shirt for
the last day of the internship?
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2. What does his boss almost forget?
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3. Where does Chris go after seeing his boss in the conference room?
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A. After watching thisscene of the film,discussthe followingquestionsapartner. Be prepared to share your
responseswiththe class.
B. In your opinion, what was Chris’ worst experience?
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C. Chrishas become successful andrichatthe end.Doyou thinkhe has pursuedhappiness now? And to you, what
does happiness mean to you and how do you pursue it?
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D. How would you describe Chris’ personality?
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E. What isthe message of the story?
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Pop Quiz
1. Where did Chris live?
a. San Diego
b. New York
c. Los Angeles
d. San Francisco
2. What did Chris sell?
a. medicine
b. computer scanners
c. clothing
d. bone density scanners
3. What mistake did Chris make when he went to apply for the job?
a. He incorrectly filled out the application.
b. He paid a hippy girl to watch his scanner.
c. He forgot to shake hands.
d. He didn’t wear a shirt, suit, and tie.
4. How was the internship?
a. good-paying
b. easy
c. competitive
d. long
5. How did Chris become completelybroke?
a. he lost his scanner
b. he gave his money to the president of the company
c. he paid his parking tickets
d. the IRS took his money
6. Where did Chris and his son go to live after they were evicted from their motel?
a. subway station
b. park
c. homeless shelter
d. his family’s house
7. Why did Chris need to finish his work quickly?
a. to meet his wife
b. to pressure his co-workers
c. to show he was the best worker
d. to get in line for the homeless shelter
8. How did Chris get money to repair the last scanner?
a. he sold his car
b. he borrowed money
c. he donated blood
d. he got a new job

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Some facts about the film
 The real ChrisGardnercan be spottedatthe veryendof the filmwalkingpastthe charactersof Chrisand
Christopherasthe latterswapjokes.
 Dan Castellaneta,the voiceof HomerSimpson,co-starsinthe filmasone of Gardner'ssuperiors(Alan
Frakesh) andrequestsadoughnutfromGardner.Thisis a reference toCasellaneta'sanimatedcounterpart
whosharesa similartaste fordoughnuts.
 Will Smithplaysthe partof ChrisGardner andJadenSmith,Will’sreal-life son,playsChristopher.
 Glide Memorial UnitedMethodistChurchhasbeenprovidingmealsandshelterforhomelesspeoplefor
fortyyearsand continuestodo so.The ReverendCecilWilliams,founderof Glide Memorial,playshimself in
the film,andthe homelesspeople were playedbythose whouse the centre.Formany,the whole
experience wasagreatboost to theirself-esteemandthe moneytheyearnedbeingfilmextrasthe first
moneytheyhadearnedforsome time.See www.glide.orgforfurtherdetailsof Glide’scontinuingworkin
the city.
 ChrisGardner wentonto be a successful businessmanandmillionaire.AftermeetingwithNelsonMandela
in1995, he now worksinSouthAfricacreatingbusinessopportunitiesforyoungpeople there.
 The RubikCube beganappearinginthe shopsin1980 and was an overnight success.Withover43 trillion
differentcombinations,itremainsapopularpuzzle with“speedcubers”competingtogethertotry andsolve
it inrecordtime.The current worldrecordis7.08 secondssetat the CzechOpenin2008. For the film,three
speedcubingchampionswerehiredtoteachWill Smithhow tosolve the cube inundertwominutes.
The Pursuit of Happyness - Themes
Setin SanFrancisco in1981, The Pursuitof Happyness tellsthe true storyof ChrisGardenerwho longstobe a good
fatherto his son,Christopher.Strugglingtomake endsmeetsellingmedical equipment,he decidestopursue a
dreamof becomingastockbroker.Toachieve hisgoal he securesa place ona six-monthinternshipwithaprestigious
firmwhere onlyone of the twenty candidateswill secure ajobat the end.However,duringthatsix months,no
salaryis paid.His wife,fedupwithtryingtoholdthingstogether,leaveshim, butChrisinsistsoncustodyof hisson.
Together,theystruggle tomake endsmeet.Will thingsfinally workoutinthe end?
Beinga father
The strapline forthe filmwas“for hisson,one man will reachforthe impossible”.However,the Italiandirector,
whenhe readthe script,sawit more intermsof “the Americandream”.How do you reactto Christopher’s story?Is
it onlyheart-warmingbecause he finallyachievedhisgoal? Wouldpeople have considereditgoodparentingwerehe
to have failedandendedupmiserably indebt?Where isthe dividinglinebetweendoingall youcanto ensure a
goodfuture for yourfamily andexposingthemtounnecessaryrisksandhardship?
The pursuit ofhappiness
What makesyouhappy?What are the ingredientsof ahappylife?Doesitinvolve money?Could the familyhave
founda wayto stay togetherandstill be happy?Isthere a differencebetween happinessandcontentment?What
aboutjoy?

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A recentsurveyon“well-being”listedsix factorsaskeystohappiness:money,work,goodgovernment, levelsof
trust,good familyandotherrelationships,andreligiousbelief.Whatthings appearonyourlist?The beatitudes
(Matthew5: 1—12), in some translations,begin“Happyare …”. How dothese qualitiesrelate toyourlist?Whatkind
of happinessdoyouthinkJesusis talkingabout?Andhow doesthatrelate toChris’spursuit?
Work in the community
The church at Glide are committedtoreachingoutto the local community.How well dowe as church communities
meetthe needsof those aroundus?
Welcomingchurches
The activitiesatGlide are opento all and the church doesitbestto demonstrate God’s all-inclusive love.One small
waythat happensisseeninthe film,withaglimpse of someone signing duringworship,enablinganoftenneglected
part of the communitytoshare inwhat isgoingon. Churchesintouristareassometimeshave Sunday material (e.g.
lessons,responses) availablein several languages.Some suchmaterial maynevergetusedbutone needstobe
preparedbefore the event(Matt25), otherwise itmaybe toolate.How goodis yourchurch communityat
welcomingall andmakingeveryone feel included?
Ambition
Chrisispreparedto letnothinggetinthe way of achievinghisambition.We all have dreamsand ambitions.Indeed,
it isgoodto “dream dreams”(Joel 2:28).But in orderto fulfil themwe will have choices,andsacrifices, tomake.And
sometimesthe dreamswe have are simplyunrealistic(e.g.justthinkof those whoappearon X Factorand otherTV
talentshowsconvincedtheycansing).
Christellshissonto pursue hisdreamnomatter whatotherssay.But sometimeswe need someonetogive usa
realitycheck.Howdo we determinewhethersomethingrequiresgivingitourall,and when(and,indeed,how) do
we allowourselvesto hearthe gentle wordof realism?
A helpinghand?
It isgood to be generoustothose aroundus,somethingwe shoulddowithoutthoughtof getting anythinginreturn.
However,Chrisfindshimself inasituationwhere he feelshe canhelponly those whocanhelphim(i.e.his
immediate bosses),lendingthemmoneywhileinsistingonthe repaymentof previous loansfromotherfriends.Do
youthinkhe shouldhave paidsuch a price?
Memorable quotes
Chris I metmy fatherforthe firsttime whenIwas28 yearsold.I made upmy mindthat whenIhad
children,mychildrenweregoingtoknow whotheir fatherwas.
Chris Hey.Don't everletsomebodytell you...Youcan'tdo something.Noteven me.All right?
Christopher All right.
Chris You got a dream...Yougotta protectit. People can'tdosomethin' themselves,theywannatell you
youcan't do it.If you want somethin',go getit.Period.
[aboutChris'bone-densityscanner]
HomelessGuy It's a time machine...Iknowit'sa time machine...
Chris [voice-over] Thismachine inmylap?Itisnot a time machine.
[repeated line]
Chris Christopherisstayingwithme.
Chris Probablymeansthere'sagoodchance. Possiblymeanswe mightorwe mightnot.
Christopher Okay.
Chris So,what doesprobablymean?
Christopher It meanswe have a good chance.
Chris Andwhat doespossiblymean?
Christopher I knowwhatit means!It meanswe're notgoingto the game.

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Chris It was rightthenthat I startedthinkingaboutThomasJeffersononthe Declarationof Independence
and the part about ourright to life,liberty, andthe pursuitof happiness.AndIrememberthinking
how didhe knowto putthe pursuitpart in there?Thatmaybe happinessissomethingthatwe can
onlypursue andmaybe we can actuallyneverhave it.Nomatter what.How didhe know that?
Christopher What are youdoing?
Chris Payinga parkingticket.
Christopher But we don't have a car anymore.
Chris Yeah,I know...
Chris There'sno salary?
Jay Twistle No.
Chris I was notaware of that. My circumstanceshave changedsome.
Rev Williams The importantthingaboutthat freedomtrain,isit'sgot to climbmountains. We ALLhave to climb
mountains,youknow.Mountainsthatgoway up high,and mountainsthatgo deepandlow.Yes,we
knowwhatthose mountainsare here at Glide.We singaboutthem.
Christopher Heydad, youwanna hearsomethingfunny?There wasamanwho was drowning,anda boat came,
and the man on the boat said"Do youneed help?"andthe mansaid"God will save me".Then
anotherboat came and he triedto helphim, buthe said"God will save me",thenhe drownedand
wentto Heaven.Thenthe mantoldGod, "God,whydidn'tyou save me?" and God said"I sentyou
twoboats, youdummy!"
BIOGRAPHY
Chris Gardner is an Entrepreneur, Author, Philanthropist, and single parent
whose work has been recognized by many esteemed organization.
The amazing story of Gardner’s life was published as an autobiography, The
Pursuit of Happyness, in May 2006, and became a New York Times and
Washington Post #1 bestseller. The book spent over twenty weeks on the
New York Times bestseller list and has been translated into more than forty
languages. Gardner was also the inspiration for the movie “The Pursuit of
Happyness,” released by Columbia Pictures in December 2006. Will Smith
starred as Gardner and received Academy Award, Golden Globe and Screen
Actors Guild nominations for his performance. Gardner was an associate
producer on the film.
In his second New York Times bestselling book, Start Where You Are: Life Lessons in Getting from Where You Are to
Where You Want to Be, published in May 2009, Gardner shared his philosophies on, and the crucial steps behind,
creating a fulfilling, successful life. The book provided a much-needed blueprint for navigating tumultuous times with
positivity, courage, tenacity, discipline and common sense.
In the fall of 2010, Gardner was named the Ambassador of Pursuit and Happyness for AARP, which has nearly 40
million members worldwide. His mission is to share his hard-won wisdom to encourage the 50+ audience to pursue
new challenges, search for fulfilment at any stage of life, or craft the legacy they want to leave behind.

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Born February 9, 1954 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Christopher Paul Gardner’s
childhood was marked by poverty, domestic violence, alcoholism, sexual
abuse and family illiteracy. Gardner published his autobiography out of a desire
to shed light on these universal issues and show they do not have to define
you. Gardner never knew his father, and lived with his beloved mother, Bettye
Jean Triplett (nee Gardner), when not in foster homes. Gardner is indebted to
Bettye Jean for his success as she provided him with strong “spiritual genetics”
and taught him that in spite of where he came from, he could chart another
path and attain whatever goals he set for himself.
Gardner joined the Navy out of high school and after discharge moved to San
Francisco where he worked as a medical research associate and for a
scientific supply distributor. In 1981, as a new father to son Christopher
Gardner Jr., he was determined to find a career that would be both lucrative
and fulfilling. Fascinated by finance, but without connections, an MBA or even
a college degree, Gardner applied for training programs at brokerages, willing to live on next to nothing while he
learned a new trade. Chris Jr.’s mother left and Gardner, despite his circumstances, fought to keep his son because,
as he says, “I made up my mind as a young kid that when I had children they were going to know who their father is,
and that he isn’t going anywhere.”
Gardner earned a spot in the Dean Witter Reynolds training program but became
homeless when he could not make ends meet on his meagre trainee salary. Today,
Gardner is involved with homelessness initiatives assisting families to stay intact, and
assisting homeless men and women who are employed but still cannot get by. It is
estimated that 18% of the homeless population in the United States is employed; in
some communities that estimate is as high as 30%.
Gardner worked at Bear Stearns & Co from1983-1987 where he became a top earner.
In 1987 he founded the brokerage firm Gardner Rich in Chicago from his home with
just $10,000. Gardner Rich LLC a FINRA registered broker-dealer specializing in
servicing public pension funds and Taft-Hartley plans. In addition to expanding its core
business as an institutional securities broker, Gardner Rich increased its participation
in corporate underwriting and expanded its brokerage services to include trading in
global markets through both ordinary and ADR form.
As a single parent for 25 years, Gardner has demonstrated his concern for the well-being of children through his work
with and on behalf of organizations such as the National Fatherhood Initiative, the National Education Association
Foundation and the International Rescue Committee. Gardner is still very committed to Glide Memorial Church in San
Francisco; where he and his son received assistance in the early 1980’s.
Gardner has also been honored by the NAACP Image Awards with awards
for both the book and movie versions of The Pursuit of Happyness; Los
Angeles Commission on Assaults Against Women’s (LACAAW) 2006
Humanitarian Award; The Continental Africa Chamber of Commerce’s 2006
Friends of Africa Award; The Glaucoma Foundation’s Kitty Carlisle Hart
Lifetime Achievement Award; The Securities Industry and Financial
Markets Association (SIFMA); Covenant House, Common Ground and
other organizations committed to combating violence against women,
homelessness, and financial illiteracy – issues of the utmost importance to
Gardner.

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Chris Gardner’s aim, through his speaking engagements and media
projects, is to help others achieve their full potential. His practical
guidance and inspirational story have made him a frequent guest on CNN,
CNBC and the Fox News Channel. He has been featured on “The CBS
Evening News,” “20/20,” “Oprah,” “Today Show,” “The View,”
“Entertainment Tonight,” as well as in People, USA Today, Associated
Press, New York Times, Fortune, Entrepreneur, Jet, Reader’s
Digest, Trader Monthly, Chicago Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, The
New York Post and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, amongst other
publications.
Gardner has two children and resides in Chicago.
http://www.chrisgardnermedia.com/chris-gardner-biography.html
Helpful Background:
The True Story That Inspiredthe Movie
Rightbefore he startedthe internshipatDeanWitter,ChrisGardner'sgirlfriend(theyweren'tmarried) disappeared
and tooktheirsonwithher.His effortstofindhissonwere fruitless.DeanWitterpaiditsinterns$1000 a month.
Withthat money,Mr. Gardner wasable to renta roomin a boardinghouse.Therefore,whenhe hadto prepare for
the broker'sexam,ChrisGardnerhad a secure place to sleepanda quietplace tostudy.Inaddition,he didn'thave to
take care of a youngchild.
Mr. Gardnerdidverywell onthe broker'sexamand washiredbyDean Witter.Atthat pointhe had a choice.He
couldworkfor an establishedbrokerinthe office atasalary large enoughtosupporthimself ata reasonable level.
Anyprospective clientsdevelopedwithhistelephone callswouldbe referredtohisemployer.PerhapsMr.Gardner
wouldbe allowedtotake overa fewsmall deals.Workingforanestablishedbrokerwouldgive himmore money
rightaway buthe wouldhave toput off buildinghisownsetof clients.The alternativewasforMr. Gardner to work
on hisownfrom the beginning,usingthe telephone tobuildhisbusiness.Thiswouldgivehimlessmoneyforthe first
yearor two(onlyabout$1200 a month).However,if thingswent well,inayearor two,or three,he wouldmake
more moneyfromhisownset of clientsthanhe wouldhave made if he had startedoutworkingforan established
broker.Inaddition,if Mr. Gardnertriedto buildhisownsetof clientsfromnothing,hissuccesswoulddepend
entirelyonhisownefforts.Mr.Gardnerchose to work onhisown andmake verylittle moneyrightawaywiththe
hope of makinga lot more moneyina fewyears.
One Fridaynight,several weeksafterMr.Gardner hadstartedworkingas a brokertryingto builduphisown
business,hisformergirlfriendappearedatthe boardinghouse.She wastiredof beingasingle mother.(She had
trainedtobe a dentistandwastryingto get establishedinthatfield.) She gave Mr.Gardnertheir19-month-oldson
(Little Chris),the child'sstroller,averylarge duffle bagfilledwiththe child'spossessionsandlotsof disposable
diapers.The formergirlfriendtoldMr.Gardnerwhat Little Chrisate,thathe wasto have no sweets,andthenshe
left.The boardinghouse didn'tallowchildren.Mr.Gardner andhis sonwere now homeless.ChrisGardnerhadno
one he couldcall andask for money.Nordidhe feel thathe couldask hisfriendsfora place to staywitha 19-month-
oldchild.
Overthe weekend,Mr.Gardnerfounddaycare for hisson ($400 a month) and theylivedina$25-a-nightmotel.
$400 a month forday care and $750 a monthfor a motel wouldeatupalmostall of his$1200 a monthincome.
There'dbe no moneyforfood,diapers,oranythingelse.The onlywayforChristoafforda place to live wasto start
workingforanotherbroker.He'dhave to postpone hisplantofocuson developinghisowngroupof clients.Overthe
nextseveral daysChrismade afateful decision:he andhissonwouldbe homeless forthe nextyearorsountil his
ownbusinessatDeanWittergave him enoughmoneytorentan apartment.He wouldnotworkfor someone else to
put a roof overhis son'shead.(Since landlordsusuallyrequire heftysecuritydepositsandfirstandlastmonthsrent,

23. 23 | P a g e
thismeantthat Mr. Gardnerwouldhave hundredsof dollarsinsavingswhile he andhissonwere still homeless.) Mr.
Gardner made a consciousdecisionthathe wouldnotpostpone hischance tobecome rich.Asa result,he andhis
son were homeless forapproximatelyone year.
What doesa two-year-oldchildneed?He needsatleastone parent,food,drydiapers,safety,andstability.Richor
poor doesn'tmeananythingtoa toddlerif he hasthese basics.Beinghomelessisariskyproposition.Homeless
people are more likelytobe assaultedandkilledthanpeople sleepingathome intheirbeds.Homelesspeople are
exposedtothe elementsandcanbecome ill.Perhapsthe worstthingthatcouldhave happenedtoLittle Chriswas
for hisfatherto have beenseriouslyinjuredinanassaultorkilled.Beingaparentmeansputtingyourchild's
interestsbeforeyourown,especiallywhenissuesof safetyare concerned.Indecidingtobe homelessratherthan
pursuingthe slowertrackto successthat wouldhave providedhimwithenoughmoneytoputa roof overhisson's
head,ChrisGardnerviolatedabasicprinciple of goodparenting.
Fill in the table belowas to the similaritiesanddifferencesbetweenthe movie portrayal and ChrisGardner’sreal
life.
Real Life Movie

24. 24 | P a g e
HOMELESSNESS IN AMERICA: THE FACTS, THE CAUSES,A CALL TO ACTION
Accordingto the U.S. Departmentof HousingandUrban Development(HUD) andthe National Coalitionforthe
Homeless(NCH):
o 754,000 people were homelessonan average day inthe U.S. in 2005. (Thiswas lessthan.3 % of the
U.S. population.)Onlyabout55% couldfinda place ina shelter.The rest,about335,000 people,
were onthe streets.One-thirdof the unshelteredhomeless(approximately112,000 people) were
personsinfamilies.Mostof these were children.
o 47% of all homelesspeople are menand59% are minorities.
o 39% are childrenyoungerthan18; 42% of these childrenare underthe age of 5.
o 40% are veterans.
There isa core of chronichomelessnessbutthere isalsoalarge turnoverof people whoare homelessforseveral
monthsand whoare thenable tofindhomes.Central citieshave more homelesspeoplethanrural/suburbanareas,
possiblybecause thereare more sheltersincitiesandhousingismore affordableinrural/suburbanareas.
The homelessare convenienttargetsforcriminalsandare victimizedmore frequentlythanthe general population.
In one studyinCalifornia,66%of homelesspeople interviewedreportedthattheyhadbeenthe victimof a crime
withinthe lastyear.75% of those crimeswere assaultsorrobberies. (AttorneyGeneral,State of California, (Datais
from2001.) The homelesswhoare notshelteredare at riskforbecomingill due toexposure tothe elements.
WHO BECOMES HOMELESS AND WHY?
Poverty: Povertyisthe most importantriskfactorfor homelessness.Withoutthe meanstopayfor the most basic
of necessities,poorpeoplebegintolive paycheck-to-paycheckwithnowaytoaccumulate any savings."Beingpoor
meansbeinganillness,anaccidentora paycheckawayfrom livingonthe streets,"writesthe NCH.Butpovertyisn't
justabout nothavingmoney - it's aboutthe underlyingcausesthatpushpeople intopoverty:unemployment,lackof
educationandtraining,low-payingjobs,inadequatepublicassistance,andlackof healthinsurance.
A person'srentshouldtypicallycostabout30% of hisor her earnings(leavingmoneyforfood,clothing,education,
and othernecessities);however,"ineverystate,more than[30% of earningsat] the minimumwage isrequiredto
afforda one or two-bedroomapartment".Thenwhere dominimum-wage earnerswithfamilieslive?Alltoooften
theyare forcedintohomelesssheltersortheylive onthe streets.Insome cities,anywhere from13% to 26% of
people in"homelesssituations"are employed.
16% of the U.S. populationiswithouthealthinsurance (about47 millionpeople) andmanymore are under-insured.
70% of the uninsuredlive infamiliesinwhichatleastone familymemberworksfull-time.Withthe skyrocketing
costs of eventhe mostbasicmedical services,anunexpectedillnessorinjurycanwipe outsomeone'ssavingsand
consume theirearnings.
Welfare hasbeensteadilydeclining.Female-headedfamiliesandworkingfamiliesthatleavethe welfare systemare
at the highestriskforhomelessnessof anygroup.The NCHstates,"Althoughmore familiesare movingfromwelfare
to work,manyof themare faringpoorlydue tolow wagesand inadequate worksupport."
Domestic violence: Batteredwomenandvictimsof domesticabuse oftenface bleakoptions:stayinthe abusive
relationshiporbecome homeless.Infact,50% of all womenandchildrenwhoare homelesshave fleddomestic
violence.
Mentalillness: 16% of the adulthomelesssufferfrommental illness. .
Alcoholand Drug Abuse: Alcohol abuse isa problemforalmosthalf of all single adulthomeless,while drugabuse
isa problemforalmostone-third.
Statusasa Veteran: Veteransare veryhighlyrepresentedamongthe homeless.