If anyone has watched the beloved series "Phineas and Ferb," you cannot help but laugh, cry, and bleed with the uncoordinated villain Dr. Doofenshmirtz. From his unpronounceable name to his wide variety of lab coats, this pride of Drusselstein will win his way into your hearts (whether through his clever dialogue or by force with one of his "inators").
This clumsy, yet loveable antagonist has several life lessons to teach all age groups. Watch my flashback, one you'll see what I mean . . .
Loving your enemies
"Doof" often finds his nemesis, Perry the Platypus, has foiled his plans and will likely do so the next day. Nevertheless, Doofenshmirtz shows kindness toward Perry in mysterious ways. He often dedicates songs to the egg-laying mammal of action. He even goes as far as to call Perry a part of his family. The two have a rather odd friction. Despite this animosity, the enemies appreciate each other and show concern for one another.
Dealing with familial hardships
If you watch any of Doof's flashbacks, you will understand he had a rough upbringing. His father forced him to stand as a lawn gnome, brother always received more attention, had only one friend (a balloon, which floated away), his wife divorces him, and he has a careworn relationship with his daughter, Vanessa. In spite of strained relationships with his family, Doof almost always seems to have a positive outlook on life. He does not let his ancestral struggles weigh him down or force him into a slump.
Forming attainable goals
Tired of the same villains attempting to take over the world? You want to scream at the TV, "You'll never accomplish that. It does not follow the five golden rules for goal-setting." Doof agrees and goes for a more specific, measurable, attainable, time-bound goal: taking over the tri-state area. Through Doof's example, we can form more realizable plans.
Persevering through hardships
"Phineas and Ferb" had a total of 222 episodes. Doof made an invention nearly every episode, and Perry destroyed said invention by the end of that episode. This means the poor mad scientist would have to face over 200 failures in the course of one summer. If he can face all those failures and continue to persevere, then you can accomplish that impossible goal.
