I sat there, with tears streaming down my face, and I felt a little uncomfortable. I thought to myself, how is an animated film able to provoke this kind of reaction from me. At the moment I thought it was absolutely absurd. What could I possibly learn from an animated feature film that has no more than silly little beings prancing around in circles from time to time; until I realized these films did more than that.

Pixar films are quite distinguishable from their counterparts at Disney. That being I said, I take away no merit from all other Disney films but do point out the subtle differences in Pixar films as opposed to customarily Disney films. What sets these films apart from any of the other Disney animated films being made is how much of a reality they present to adult audiences. The colors and characters are made to entertain children in the most basic ways but the plot of the films serve to teach and enlighten adults. That is the real magic of Pixar films; they are both for the young mind and the ever growing mind of adults. It takes the viewer into a roller coster of emotions that, to be completely honest, most mainstream feature films have yet to do. Pixar has truly been the pioneer in making animated films an important part of the film industry.

Whatever your age may be, in looking at these films as more than entertainment bouts of fun is something the films take care of themselves. Some of the most important life lessons I've learned have come from some of the most touching scenes in Pixar films. I've managed to compose a short list of what I consider to be the most important ones.

1. You Never Stop Growing

Whether you're an old man riding in the sky within the comforts of your home as an armada of balloons drag you along or you're a young boy who finds solace in his toys, you never stop learning more things about yourself. The learning process doesn't stop because you've reached the "ultimate age of wisdom." Also, growing up is not necessarily losing your childhood but keeping those important parts of them and grow from there. Life, from beginning to end, is a giant lesson.

2. Life Is The Ultimate Destination

Every movie has taught me to treasure every moment. To hold those we love a little and not sweat the small stuff. To look at life straight in the eye and live to the fullest. Although I just managed to hurl all these cliches in a span of three sentences, nothing has felt as true as them through he outlook of these films. Just look at Carl from Up (whose opening still makes me cry).

3. Being Different Is Okay

One of the most important things I've learned from all the stories in Pixar is to accept my differences. Not only accept them but enhance them in all aspects of your life. To make a character like April from The Incredibles be as insecure as any teenage girl but with super powers is the most relatable thing. It exploits the idea that insecurities are within and that being different is something to be treasured. Whether you're an ant on an ant farm trying to save the world or you're a little fish with a defective fin, your differences are what make you unique.

4. Women Are More Than Marriage

Remember that fiery redhead from Brave? I sure do. From her story I was able to fully accept that notion that being married is not the ultimate goal for women. That women's aspirations can be more than being married. That our role in life is more than the commingling of two beings. That it is also important to make that clear to others that your persona is not defined by your material status as a woman.

5. Mental Health Is Important

This is probably the most crucial lessons Pixar films have attempted to tackle, especially in their most recent film Inside Out. The notion that being happy is the only emotion we are capable of feeling is absolute nonsense and Inside Out managed to illustrate that in the most poignant way possible. Both sadness and happiness are essential parts of our character that one without the other is not possible. Other films tackle grief and exclusion and the effects it has in mental health in ways that promote acceptance and discussion.

I wish I could fully delve in all the wonderful aspects of Pixar films and how their colorful animations are actually veils for what they are trying to convey which are important life lessons. All of their stories deal with the struggles all humans of all ages deal with at one point in their lives in a medium that is much more flexible than live action films. I will probably keep on looking at these films for guidance and reassurance that I am not the only person who feels the way I do.