Life Lessons I Learned from Chunk - The Odyssey of the Fat Kid from The Goonies

"The Goonies" is a spellbinding film classic from my childhood days. The story is replete with caverns and pirate ships and booby traps, nothing that cool ever existed underneath my neighborhood. As an adult, I'm still entranced by the complex storylines, catchy soundtrack and the astonishing chemistry between every cast member. One character in particular, the fat kid known as Chunk, was transformed by his experience with his friends, "the goonies". He wasn't the handsome one or the leader of the clique, he was there for comic relief. Looking into his character on a deeper level, we can see someone much more than the jolly fat kid.

Good intentions can go awry, but at least you tried.
The scenario: Chunk always tries to help out, even if he is completely incapable of doing the job correctly. Early on in the film he tries to save his friend Mikey's mom's favorite piece of artwork from falling off the coffee table. After the dust settled, Chunk picked himself up off the floor, little Statue of David in his arms and places it back on the table. Unfortunately, he was rather careless and the statuette fell to the floor again breaking off David's private parts.

The lesson: Sometimes we try really hard to do the right thing. There can be a lot on the line, especially if you're trying to atone for some sins of the past. Even if you try and fail, at least you know you made your best effort. Keep at it and eventually you will succeed.

Take time to treat yourself.
The scenario: Chunk finds a walk in freezer full of ice cream. His enthusiasm for the abundance and variety of flavors was exhilarating, until he discovers the corpse in the freezer. That could pretty much take the wind out of anybody's sails.

The lesson: It's okay to be indulgent. We constantly have to restrain ourselves in the real world. Maybe we have to smile through gritted teeth as we apologize to an unruly client, or perhaps we order the spinach salad when we really want fried chicken. Sometimes we need to allow ourselves to sleep late, skip our grown-up chores and find time to indulge in a Super Duper Chocolate Eruption sundae.

Redemption happens. Accept it.
The scenario: The goonies have been captured by the villanous Fratelli family. Chunk tries to run for help but he accidentally gets recaptured by the Fratellis. They lock him in a cell with their deformed brother Sloth. At first Chunk is afraid of Sloth but they soon become best friends. Sloth's superhuman strength helps save Chunk and the goonies from a potentially deadly situation.

The lesson: Chunk grows up a little. He redeems himself for all the trouble he's caused in the past by getting over his fear of Sloth and helping to set him free. In turn, Sloth helps Chunk's friends and ensures their homes won't be razed by developers. Chunk, who is constantly ridiculed for being the fat kid, learns not to judge people by the way they look.

What at first seems like a curse may be a blessing.
The scenario: "I got it, I got it, I got it!" Chunk exclaims as he upends a water cooler. Try as he might to keep it from crashing onto the floor, he's just not swift enough. The container breaks showering water in all directions. By listening to the water trickling away, the goonies find a hidden escape in the floor offering sanctuary from the Fratellis.

The lesson: Sometimes accidents are the greatest blessings. Just when we think our fate is sealed, we realize our predicament may be forcing us to see things from a different perspective. Suddenly the world is fresh and new again, and we find hope.

People change.
The scenario: Chunk starts out as an immature teller of tall-tales. Everyone from his friends to the local sheriff rolls their eyes at him. After meeting Sloth and helping to save his neighborhood, he grows into a mature young man.

The lesson: Humans make mistakes. Sometimes they have a lifelong history of making mistakes. But with a little determination we are all able to change and grow and become wise. Do you know anyone who needs a second chance?