A Dream Is A Song You Can Fly Under the Sea...

A couple weeks ago, as I was driving to work, I turned on the radio and listened to the DJs chattering on about the usual nonsense.  On this particular morning they were talking about Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus and whatever it is that's going on with them.  I was just about to change the station when one of the DJs said - and I quote - "It's just one more thing to blame Disney on." 

I have to admit I was offended. 

Not only did the guy choose to end his sentence with a preposition, but anyone who knows anything about me knows that I LOVE Disney.  As a result of this DJ's comment I spent the day thinking about how much I have actually learned from Disney.  So here it is:

- No matter how tough things get, keep faith!  It will end.  Good things are on their way!
"Have faith in your dreams and someday your rainbow will come smiling through.  No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing the dream that you wish will come true." - Cinderella

Things seemed to turn out alright for her, didn't they?

- Don't let yourself get overwhelmed by the task at hand!  Even though there may be a lot to do, sometimes we just need to roll up our sleeves and get down to it.  Or call our animal friends to come help us.  (And music helps, too!)
"When you've got too much to do don't let it trouble you.  Forget your worries, try to be just like a cheerful chickadee." - Snow White
"...Cleaning crud up in the kitchen as we sing along..." - Enchanted
"In every job that must be done there is an element of fun.  You find the fun and *snap!* the job's a game.  And every task you undertake becomes a piece of cake.  A lark, a spree..." - Mary Poppins

- Good thoughts really do lift us up. 
"Think of a wonderful thought, any happy little thought....All it takes is faith and trust, plus a little Pixie Dust!  Now kiss the ground good-bye: You can fly!  You can fly!  You can fly!" - Peter Pan
"With a smile and a song, life is just like a bright, sunny day.  Your cares fade away and your heart is young." - Snow White

- Never, ever, under any circumstance trust any creepy, old woman (or man...or animal, for that matter) who has ever been know be vindictive and/or wield magic.  (Cheerful, helpful fairy godmothers are obviously exempt from this rule.)
No quote necessary...The Little Mermaid, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Tangled, 101 Dalmatians, Cinderella...Do I really need to go on?

Trustworthy-looking bunch, don't you think?

- Listen to your conscience.  Pretty simple, huh?
"Always let your conscience be your guide." - Pinocchio

- True beauty is on the inside.  We shouldn't allow a person's looks to dictate how we view them, because looks really can be deceiving. 
Really, was I the only person paying attention during "Beauty and the Beast"?

Can we all just agree that the Beast is somehow more attractive as a Beast than as a prince? 

- Remember that someone out there is waiting for you...Whether that "someone" is a parent, a friend, a lover.  Someone out there is loving and waiting for each of us.
"Be brave, Little One, make a wish on each sad, little tear.  Hold your head up: though no one is near, someone's waiting for you." - The Rescuers
"Someday my prince will come..." - Snow White

- Sometimes it seems as though we are alone, but we aren't.  Look to the stars when you feel sad.  It helps to put things in perspective, and remind us that there is a great plan for us, and our dreams can actually come true.
"The second star to the right shines in the night for you, to tell you that the dreams you plan really do come true." - Peter Pan
"If your heart is in your dreams no request is too extreme, when you wish upon a star as dreamers do...Like a bolt out of the blue, Fate [read: God] steps in and sees you through..." - Pinocchio

The second star to the right and straight on till morning...

Really, there have been a lot of pretty big lessons I've learned from Disney.  I'm sure more will come in the future (because, let's be honest here: I still watch - and LOVE - Disney movies). 




All photo and lyric credits go to Disney.  Really.  I didn't make any of it up myself.  They are brilliant, are they not?