From the time I was little, Disney movies became my life. I watched them over and over again, usually until the VCR tape stopped working. We spent hours watching them when we were younger but were we really aware of the impact that they would play in our lives as we got older?
1. Follow the beat of your own drum.
Thanks to "Pocahontas," we learned that you control the destiny of your life. You have to make your own decisions to live the life that you want to live. Go wherever the wind takes you.
2. Dare to be different.
In "Beauty and the Beast," Belle’s father, Maurice, is not like anybody else in his town, and he gets made fun of for it. If everybody was the same exact person, the world would be a very boring place to live.
3. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
In "Dumbo," he is different because his ears are larger than the normal elephant. Instead of trying to appease the crowd, we should learn to love ourselves and accept our flaws, because these flaws are what make us special.
4. It’s never too late, and you’re never too old.
In "Up," Carl and his wife Ellie had made plans to travel to Paradise Falls together. Once Ellie died, Carl meets cheerful little Russell, who inspires Carl to go on an adventure to Paradise Falls. "Up" makes a point to say that it’s never too late to follow your dreams and honor those you love.
5. Just keep swimming.
We could always count on Dory in "Finding Nemo" to tell us that no matter what happens in life, you just have to keep moving right along.
6. Friends are never far away.
Amongst the various lessons in "The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh," having friends around is definitely the most important. Pooh Bear and Piglet are always a reminder that they were best friends and that they were there for each other through the highs and lows of life in the Hundred Acre Wood.
7. We’re all our own kind of crazy.
It’s pretty obvious that all of the characters in "Alice in Wonderland" are crazy, but they all accept each other despite their differences. We all have to be a little crazy to make it in this world. Don’t judge somebody because they aren’t your kind of “normal”.
8. Dreams do come true.
In "Cinderella," she sings a song that reminds us all that if we keep on believing in our dreams, they will eventually come true. Miracles don’t just happen overnight.
9. There is always going to be something that appears to be better than what you have.
In "The Little Mermaid," Sebastian reminds Ariel that you have to appreciate what you have.
10. Let it go.
Elsa said it best in "Frozen." You don’t want to keep reliving the past. You have to let it go and move forward.
11. Don’t worry.
In "The Lion King," Timon and Pumba come up with their problem-free philosophy “Hakuna Matata.” If you like your life in worry, you aren’t going to live your life to the fullest.
12. Step outside of your comfort zone.
Rapunzel is cooped up in her tower in "Tangled." She was always afraid of the world outside of the tower because Mother Gothel would tell her horrible stories about the world. Once Rapunzel escaped her comfort zone of the tower, she realized what a wonderful place the world truly was.
13. Always tell the truth.
In "Pinocchio," his nose grows every time he tells a lie. He learns later in the movie, that it is always best to tell the truth. Nobody likes a liar.
14. If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all.
In "Bambi," we learn that words can be hurtful. If something positive isn’t going to come out of your mouth, just keep it shut.
15. Laughter is the best medicine.
In "Mary Poppins," Uncle Albert, Mary Poppins, Jane and Michael all laugh to lighten the mood and be happy to feel better.
