For nearly 80 years, the Walt Disney Company has been entertaining people of all ages with their imaginative movies, cartoons and shows. Walt Disney's belief that "if you can dream it, you can do it" has inspired people from all walks of life to set out and accomplish their dreams. Walt's wisdom extends into his films' messages, and the Walt Disney Company has continued to teach these extremely valuable lessons to kids of all ages, including those that are now adults! The list of lessons I have learned from watching these films since I was little is endless, but here are the most important ones that have stayed with me for so long.
1. How to "Whistle While You Work."
"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" may not have the best example of a strong independent woman, but Snow White definitely had the best advice for making tidying up the house more enjoyable. The most memorable lyric of her melody, "it won't take long when there's a song to help you set the pace" is relatable to anyone who has ever gotten their groove on while trying to clean their room or doing the dishes.
2. Uniqueness is something to be celebrated.
When Dumbo first sneezed and his giant ears unfolded, the other elephants on the Casey Jr. train mocked and ridiculed him. While this bullying caused Dumbo to be ashamed of his physical appearance, eventually he comes to terms with how his uniqueness has made him special; his oversized ears allow him to be able to fly. Watching Dumbo overcome his harassment and become confident, with the help of some friends, is incredibly satisfying and reminds us that everyone's differences are something to be celebrated, a message that has recurred in countless other Disney films.
3. Sometimes we all need a change in point of view in order to understand someone.
"Mary Poppins" has an incredible amount of lessons throughout the film, covering a huge range of topics. However, one of my favorite lessons that I learned from the film has to do with trying to understand why people think the way they do. Her knowledge of the fact that "sometimes a person we love, through no fault of his own, can't see past the end of his nose." This idea that some people's limited viewpoints can cloud their judgements, and that instead of hating them, we should try to understand them and in doing so, perhaps they will come to understand us.
4. There is no shame in being a total bookworm.
Since I was a little girl, I always found myself identifying with Belle more than any other Disney princess. In "Beauty and the Beast," she was always reading, and I was envious of the Beast's library! Belle never let other people make her feel odd, even when Gaston and the rest of the town folk sang an entire song about it. She always longed for somewhere where she could truly be herself and find someone who loved her for her, and in the end she found both. Belle allowed to me to learn that being a bookworm is nothing to be ashamed of, and I am still so thankful for that.
5. The meaning of family.
"Lilo and Stitch" has always been one of my favorite Disney movies. The story feels exceptionally real with themes of loss, loneliness, and how love can overcome these things. One message that has really stuck with me through the years is that, "Ohana means family; family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten." This concept of Ohana applies to more than blood family; it applies to the friends that become family, and how our family can help us even when we may not realize we need it.
6. Stereotypes can be harmful.
One of the Walt Disney Company's newest films, "Zootopia," has some of the most important and applicable lessons than any previous Disney movie. One of the main themes of the film is the fact that stereotypes can be extremely harmful to groups of people and lead to prejudices. Metaphors for racism are seen throughout the entire film, and its presented in a way that can be understood by children but obvious for adults. In fact, I found this film to actually be more important to the adult audience than the younger audiences, especially in today's times. Films like "Zootopia" are helping pave the way to understanding how our viewpoints can affect the way certain groups are treated, and the lessons taught are beneficial to every person who watches.
With every new Disney film released through the years, new lessons are taught when looking just past the magic, and previous lessons are revamped for newer generations. I cannot wait for Disney's newest release this Thanksgiving to see what I will learn about myself or others through these magical stories.
