Over the years, I’ve realized that every time I walk out of the theater after watching a Disney film, I leave with a certain optimism about the world that can only be compared to the bliss of childhood.
Kids don’t see color, differences, or flaws. They see characteristics that define their friends. They live in terms of love because they haven’t been taught the power of hatred yet. Children have a beautiful ability to live in a perfect happiness because their world seems so big, but never too big to balance on the tip of lips pressed against their mother's cheek. Kids haven’t yet been taught to base the value of their lives on the number of mistakes they’ve made, because in their world equality is a way of life, not a Supreme Court ruling.
We all have a favorite Disney film, that one guilty pleasure that goes perfectly with a first date or strep throat and chicken soup. Finding Nemo taught us that everyone gets lost sometimes, but friends will always go though hell to make sure you back home safely. A Bug’s Life taught us that teamwork really does make a dream work. And everyone’s favorite, Tangled, taught us that one perfect day, catalyzed by a step taken outside of your comfort zone, has the power to change your life forever.
Being childish is defined as being not fully developed, or mature. Unless you are a child, acting childish is frowned upon. Disney inspires us to imagine a life where we allow play-time to exist again and maybe where we even dare to challenge ourselves as we head into the unknown. Up was an incredible film because it threw the caution of age to the wind, telling the world that adventure is a disease we should all hope to catch.
Disney pulled out all the stops with Toy Story 3, making even the manliest of dads wipe away a tear. Disney seems to always want to teach us to look at our lives with a less judgmental light. Maybe instead of being broken, we’re under construction, waiting for a better version of ourselves to be built. Sometimes people will hurt you, like when Prince Hans shattered everyone’s heart, but there will always be an Olaf to mend your faith again.
Disney movies will always hold a special place in our hearts. Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty taught this generation about unconditional love, and newer friends taught us to simply Let It Go. A new band of characters is raising a new, strong generation. Disney continues to offer a philosophy of ambitious joy and abundant love, both of which are things this big world could use a little more of.
