Christopher Gardner - ChrisGardnerMedia.com

Chris, Have just taken delivery in Ireland of your DVD / CD package & really looking forward to them. And thanks for doing some straight-talking to those spammers who as you say, need to look in the mirror & ask themselves some serious questions. Your Step 1 advice to the “Get a Life” is a great start! Best regards.

I agree!  Only cowards hide behind the web to post hurtlful things.  Anyway, I am a fan of your dedication. I also wanted to say how cool it was to read that your daughter graduated from Hampton.  God bless!

Right you are, Chris!
May they get an own successful life.

I work with unemployed people and tell them about you as a role model.

Thanks for your story!
Be blessed!
Chris

mr.gardner your book is inspiring just a question how could you live through all of that just like kanye west you are a champion

mr. gardner you are an inspiration to so many people and i look up to you.

You are a life inspiration without you there would be all ot of things love peace to the world

Chris,
  Your movie touched me beyond words.  I cannot wait to see you in Dallas October 14th! 

Best,
Demetra Bell

Hello Mr. Gardner! 

Your life’s story should be required reading.  There is so much adversity in the world and only a few happy endings to balance it out.  Your’s is a story of drive, determination, and focus.  You knew what you had to do and you set out to do it, possibly never envisioning such a triumphant outcome.  You walked through so much fire, but it only seemed to turn the flicker embedded in your soul into a flame and from there a roaring fire of strength.  I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and while watching your film, I wondered to myself if you had ever gone to Emma’s Seafood on Market Street in West Oakland.  I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that had you gone there, you would have been fed.  You see, Emma was my mom and she fed the homeless and underprivleged on a daily basis. Now that she’s gone, I being called by the entrepreneurial DNA in the core of me.

I notice that you will be in Davis 11-4-09.  I plan to attend and can’t wait to witness your speaking power. 

Take great care and that’s for being an inspiration to others…

Thanks for hanging in there and never giving up. I always get choked up when I watch the movie. It may sound corny but many people including myself appreciate your witness & ability to relate to all of us who have and will go through tough times. God Bless…

sir chris,
Thank you very much for making a movie like pusuit of happyness. Honestly it gives us courage to strife for something better irrespective of conditions. I always watch this movie when ever I have a doubt about my self. sir, in India I want a society like this where anyone can be whatever he/she wants to be irrespective of his/her past, conditions. In the end I would like to say thank you for giving us “HOPE”.

Hi Chris

I picked this address from Google after watching the movie “The pursuit of Happ’Y'ness”. I must say I was both very moved and impressed by the story and its portrayal and I couldn’t help admiring the protagonist. I hear the movie is based on your life. As depressing as the movie sounded, I still felt you had two things going for you there ... 1. The true love of your son and 2. You were pushed to the wall. We tend to do miraculous things when pushed to the wall….things we normally don’t even attempt to in the luxury of better times. I felt I had to shre this with you. Great going, please keep it up.

Best Regards
Gyan

I just finished reading your latest book in 12 days, had to return it to the library, but I will purchase it when I can afford to. I am 56 years old, and have been unemployed for 3 years (In pursit of happyness). What amazed me was how we have in common. At the age of 18 I wanted to become a stockbroker, but at that time in Texas everybody thouhgt I was joking. Though I never attended college after 8 years in the Air Force I departed and later got work with a Penny Stock company.

Unfortunely the company closed 6 months after I got hired. In the past 3 years I have spent time building a consumer finacial business and writing a book. Though I have not acheived the level of succes that I have dreamed of, after reading your book I realized I am on the right track. I am not one whos waiting for the Calvary to come.

Dear Chris, I watched the movie on your life story and it really moved me beyond words. I just took out the “start where you are” CD from the library and can’t wait to listen to it. I am 63 years old and on social security, but I believe I can STILL achieve some very special business-related dreams. Keep up the inspiration!
Joe

Chris,  My wife and I just saw the film and I wept at the end.  Thanks for inspiring us tonight. I need a little inspiration as I am presently vocationally depressed. I’m happy to have a job, but…you see I used to be a Catholic priest.  When I left the priesthood 14 years ago I went to Milwaukee and lived at 21st and Highland (the hood baby) and helped out at a shelter for women and children (not too many for men and children, as you well know)... Now I sell construction supplies (to pay the bills and create a stable life for my family and myself), and whenever I can I facilitate conflict.  I used to preach to 1000 people a weekend and now I sell diamond blades. I did just graduate in June with a degree in conflict facilitation so I’m just beginning to envision my new career. 
I saw you have some connections in S. Africa. My advisor and several classmates are South African. One in the banking world in Joberg and another facilitates/trains people to work creatively with racism and other issues. 
One day I’d like to meet you. I have a gift to offer and am inspired by how hard you worked to find and give yours!!  thanks,

Tom Esch

I wholly agree with your message to spammers. I have a blog and keep it completely open, but do have to spend about an hour a week deleting the spam messages. I am now going to publish a note like yours!
Pursuit of Happyness was a wonderful film portraying a wonderful father. The fact that you went on to make millions is incidental to the fact that you fought so hard to keep your son with you.
I will keep in touch with this website because I have lots of connections with South Africa and hope in a couple of years to be able to help out there as well.

mi esposa y yo vimos la pelicula hace un momento, y ha sido impactante para nuestras vidas, cuanto valor, persistencia, bien hecho chris, ahora haz dejado un legado y eso te hara inmortal, gracias and merry christmas! from venezuela

I have a question Sir, actually two.
What does your son do now, as in the movie i don’t think so you could have anyone better with you all the hard times you had to face.
And that movie didn’t even give a slightest idea about your wife, did she come back to you?

Sharing a story can change a life, you changed mine!

Mr. Gardner, with all that has gone on in your life (especially your past),do you ever look back and wonder how your soul got over? I mean do ever get a chance to sit back and just think if it had not been for God on your side where would you be?  Each time I read about your life and what God has allowed you to accomplish, I know that you must have an unspeakable joy in your heart. To know that God has always been there for you and watched over you and given your the opportunity to help others must be a wonderful feeling. I appreicate this website because it allows me to speak with you and share kinds words about you and let you know that I am very proud of you, because as you know your life could have gone several other different ways.  I pray that you are protected and covered by the blood of Jesus and your children be blessed as well.  HAPPY NEW YEAR and God Bless!! Keep loving and trusting God!

Chris,

I’m committed to my pursuit. Thank you for your continued inspiration. 

Best,

Joe V.

will you ever come to Florida to speak? Not very expensive I hope.

Hello Chris,

i just watched your movie for the first time.  it was so sad in spots my heart went out to you and your son.  a few times throughout i had to stop the movie during some of the scenes seemingly demeaning you during your internship.  i am champion of the underdog and i felt angry!!!  when it was over i had to google you and find out about this heroic figure and sure enough there you were. what an inspiration you are.  will be checking out your cd’s and books.  do you ever come to the west coast of canada to speak?
thank you for sharing your compelling story.
Shirley

Hey, I found your blog while searching on Google your post looks very interesting for me. I will add a backlink and bookmark your site. Keep up the good work!

Dear Chris,
I am a great fan of yours. It’s really inspiring to read and hear and watch film about you. Every aspect seems to be so inspiring and touching. I have posters and quotations by you everywhere in my office and my kid’s room. Hope to meet you someday during my lifetime. God bless you…..

Hello Chriss,

IT’s a great pleasure writing to you. Your story has inspired me alot. I was suffering from depression but now i am recovering. Please never stop sharing your stories. Keep spreading the happiness among your yur fans and take care.

How much of the “Pursuit of Happyness” movie is true? I understand the basic story is true, but how ar does it differ from reality in details?

And yes, the story of your life is very inspiring.

it differs in lot of ways. his son was a toddler in real life. besides he spent a week in a jail. but most of it is real. get his book, it’s beauiful.

Although I’m a huge fan of Will Smith, I didn’t watch the movie.. I knew it was going to be disappointing after reading your book… even then I’m sure there are things you’ve kept to yourself.

We live similar childhoods, and my only hope is that I could be blessed with the same strength as you.

Your book inspires me, not because of your success but because of everything that went wrong, and how you still managed to find it in yourself to make it through.

I pray for that same strength, not because I don’t have it but because sometimes its easier to give up, and give in.. but I refuse to give in.

And I have people like you & my mother to thank for that ...

Thank you xoxo

Hi Chris
I watched your story on Tv and really inspired me,we have got common situation because of crisis , we are still on edge,trying to pay our rent,and feed our 10 months son ,but we belive that ..if you really want something just take it. God bless you With Love Magda Marius and little Maximilian

Toda mi admiración y profundo respeto para un persona tan especial. Dios le permita seguir dándonos el ejemplo de cómo ser mejores seres humanos; que su fuerza nos siga impulsando para que nuestro mundo cambie su mentalidad y logremos vivir de una manera respetuosa y valiente. Le mando todo mi amor, que Dios lo bendiga.

hello sir,
    It`s difficult for me to express in words the amount of respect i have for you and how much your story has motivated me whenever i think about you there are just two things in my mind 1st A true fighter 2nd A real life Hero
yours sincerely,
Varun Singh

Mr Gardner,

U R a GREAT inspiration to those of us (myself included) that experience the MOST difficult times and R clinging on to a glimmer of HOPE to get though to the next day. I have seen both the DVD (missed it in theater) TV and cable evertime it’s aired!! KUDOS to U for being THE BEST role model to U son. U R a TRULY gifted BLACK Man who RAISED his son for greater things! I SALUTE U: (standing ovation..clapping LOUDLY!!!)-

Hi Mr.Chris Gardner,
I admire your courage,boldness,compassion,etc..after heavy prayer and meditation I was guided to contact you. I am reaching out because my hsb of 10yrs.is so smart and his dream to be a stock broker went by the wayside do to not having that Strong presence of a Strong man in his life.He has never had a positive role model,mentor. He is highly capable of many thngs,I am a strong christian woman and I believe in sticking it out,but I need just 1hr of your time to just take time to speak with my husband. I have some money saved. My hsb is a functioning alcoholic and currently working as a rep.with a well known insurance agency he does well,but this is below his potential. His dream is to be a stockbroker and He is sooo smart,intelligent! He did great on the insurance exam,served in the army(4yrs honorable disch),obtained partial scholarship to college for an engineering degree when he was leaving high school,but having to help mom take care of siblings,his dreams were always put to side. This is a huge request,but I am a praying wife and you are the missing piece to just please give me 1 hr to just speak with my hsb. His story is so similar to yours but I can’t reach his inner self,emotions,etc. as a man he needs someone he looks up to and that can relate to where he came from and where he is going and that person is you. Please contact me ASAP!
Thank you so much for your attention in advance and I look forward to speaking with you. Keep Motivating&Inspiring;!!!!!!!

I must congratulate u mr. Gardner for never giving up. You’re a true inspiration for me. I really liked your film ” The Pursuit of Happiness”  which made me stronger and gave me hope as it gave me a more powerful perspective about the future. I would like to be business man too and i have now an idea of what to start with. Of course i am going to start where i am.
Deep respects, Laurentiu

Mr Gardner,

I recently learnt about you, what you have been through and how you succeeded in your life despite all the obstacles, and I am very admirative of you.

I am currently studying in a French Business School and I would like to know if the Gardner Foundation proposes solutions such as programs or scholarships to help people get financially literate and manage to to be successful like you did.

Yours Sincerely,
Emmanuelle Tsouza.

You are one of my hero’s! To meet you is to die for.  I’ve read the biography, but i want to read your other book.  I Hope to become like you one day, and help people for a living.  I think what you do is motivating to young people, like me. I’m from Canada, and i hope to do something like this one day.

Hi Chris. What struck me about your story, as a leadership coach, is the simple truth about self-determination and the need for us all to work for the greater good. So much of modern society seems, in this ‘me,me,me,me’ marketplace, to be about collecting wealth and possessions. Like you, I believe that true fulfillment comes from something else - perhaps from going to sleep at night knowing that you did something that mattered and made a difference to your fellow humans. I honour you for your journey and I thank you for reminding me about the joys that are free. Walking in the park, listening to birdsong, watching people go about their daily lives. I hope all the distraction your story has brought you doesn’t get in the way of your clarity of vision. Good luck.

Again I saw the film based on his book “The Pursuit of Happynnes” and once again has me excited. Your strength is admirable. I am happy to know that you exist, especially when I feel I’m losing my faith in the goodness of human beings. Thanks for all the good you do.

I do not believe I’ve seen this depicted that way before. You really have cleared this up for me. Thank you!

Mr. Gardner:

Your story is an inspiration to youths and adults alike. I would like to introduce you to The Desmond Elliott Foundation by inviting you to take a look at our website at http://www.TDEFoundation.org. Through Education and providing financial support, The Desmond Elliott Foundation focus on strengthening capacity for self-help, providing economic opportunity to the disenfranchised and delivering relief in emergencies. While The Desmond Elliott Foundation focuses on youth, any age group within a category may apply.

The Desmond Elliott Foundation is currently running a Young CEO camp in the Jersey City, NJ area. The camp is open to all Hudson County residences, and with future funding through government grants and private donations, will be available to all youths who have the ability to attend. We would be honored if you could speak to our youths at the conclusion of our Young CEO camp and/or sponsor one of the children given to us by Urban League and the Boys and Girls Club who attend the camp for free. A sponsorship package is available upon request.

http://www.TDEFoundation.org