Disney movies are generally enjoyable for all ages. Many people grew up watching Disney movies and having their own favorite characters. Reenacting scenes with friends and watching the movies over and over again. Disney princesses are an inspiration for little girls, in way of dressing, acting, and living. Dreams are a possibility in young minds that are molded by these movies. But there is a bigger picture. There are many life lessons adults can learn from Disney movies as well.
1. The Lion King
What happens: Simba thinks he killed his father, Mufasa, and runs away on his uncle’s persistence and manipulation. He eventually grows up on his own but returns to his home, saving everyone, and starting over.
The lesson to be learned: The past can’t be changed, but it can be overcome. There is always a chance to go back and make things right. Fear and ego are only mental barriers. Once those emotions are endured through, there are usually opportunities to make life better.
2. Cinderella
What happens: Cinderella’s fairy-God mother grants her wish to become glamorous for a night to fulfill her dreams. The spell runs out at midnight and everything goes back to normal, but her dreams survive, and she eventually fulfills them.
Lessons to be learned: Children are taught to dream big. They are encouraged to become doctors, firefighters, astronauts, and even the next to impossible like becoming a princess. But as they get older, the dreams are harder to reach. Materialistic things start getting in the way. Minds begin to stray from the dreams that once were because of family issues, school expectations, social obligations, etc. While it’s true that children are naïve, it doesn’t mean that as adults, those dreams should be dismissed. Following through with childhood dreams could be a great source of self-fulfillment as adults.
3. Finding Dory
What happens: Dory has short term memory and is on a journey to find her parents. Despite her struggles to remember, she uses her determination to “Just keep swimming” and complete the task; while befriending unlikely allies.
Lessons to be learned: Resilience is a rare quality. That’s why so many people succumb to drugs, alcohol, mental illness, and crimes. Maybe not always, but it stems from poverty, depression, grief, and the likes. The phrase “Just keep swimming” represents how goals can be achieved and friends can be made along the way, only if there are persistence and will.
4. Beauty and the Beast
What happens: The Beast is cursed until he finds true. Then comes along Belle who brings out the good in him and breaks the curse.
Lessons to be learned: With technology and social media advancing at the current rate, issues of body image are prevalent. It’s a good reminder to know that inner beauty is just as important and allowing love to enter the heart can aid in finding that inner beauty.
5. Tangled
What happens: A young princess, Rapunzel, is stolen from her palace and held pleasantly captive by an evil witch, who convinces her that she’s her mother. Rapunzel has never seen the outside world. When she does muster up the courage to leave, she realizes the truth and fights for her rights against the evil.
Lessons to be learned: People like to stay in their little bubble of friends, family, and comfort. Staying in that comfort blinds one to other opportunities. Adults grow into a routine, and many are unadventurous to trying new things. Expanding horizons can get rid of monotony in one’s life and possibly create new passions and a true calling.
Related: 10 LIFE LESSONS TAUGHT BY GILMORE GIRLS
Adults can learn from Disney movies. Living happily requires some of these life lessons to be implemented. After all, it can’t be a happily ever after without it.
