As a female who grew up on Disney movies I can, without a doubt, tell you that there are little life lessons to be learned from each and every one of those storybook endings that occasionally filled my head with rainbows and butterflies and ice cream sundaes and all things good and fluffy ... And you may be thinking that these life lessons are all about love and romance and dancing under the stars and living happily ever after ... and that they only apply to girls under the age of 10 who are playing dress up in their bedrooms ... But you are incorrect, my friend! These lessons that I am about to drop like bombs can apply to everyone and anyone, so sit back and enjoy what I've learned from Walt Disney and his beloved characters (or at least from the ones in the original Disney Princess Collection movies ... because that's how I do).
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
Lesson learned: You can be one of the prettiest, hottest, most powerful people in all the land ... But if you have an ugly heart and evil intentions, God will smite you and you will fall to your death and creepy vultures will come after your rotting dead body (seriously, Disney, this was freaking creepy!).
Seriously though, in life, the way in which we treat each other, despite our so-called differences, is really all that matters. Being a kindhearted person, speaking well of each other, being generous and giving - those are the things that really matter. Not money and power and outward appearance. If those are the things you are chasing in life, take a moment to reevaluate why they seem so important to you (and then re-watch the ending scene of Snow White).
Cinderella (1950)
Anyone who knows me knows that Cinderella is my all-time favorite Disney movie and I can't even bring myself to make jokes about the lessons you learn when you watch this movie and actually take in all the different aspects and begin to analyze all the different layers that make up the story-line ... That's why so many different movies and books and shows mimic Cinderella, in general ... so, getting off my soapbox, here are just a few of the lessons you learn from this amazinggggg movie.
First and foremost, Cinderella teaches us to never, ever give up on dreams and to never give up believing. If Cinderella gave up believing, her Fairy Godmother straight up told her she would not have been able to come ... and then she wouldn't have gone to the ball or met the Prince and then the whole story would have been a cluster-fuck. So really, just don't stop believing.
So, on top of that pretty obvious lesson, we also see that you can't choose your family ... but despite that there will always be those people (or small animals) that will be around for you when you need help or a smile ... or a dress to be sown. Cinderella also shows us that keeping a good attitude is an excellent way to get through the tough times - even when she was scrubbing floors and doing laundry, she always had a song to sing and a helping hand to lend to her mouse friends.
(In addition to all those lessons ... I learned that some women are more than willing to force their feet into uncomfortably small shoes for a rich man. But, on the other hand, the right pair of shoes can absolutely change your life for the better. Also, the outcome of your night, after midnight, totally depends on the circumstances you are in at the time).
Sleeping Beauty (1959)
Listen here, the one lesson I learned from Sleeping Beauty is that if you try and protect someone from something too much ... you may just push that person right to it ... So then he/she will end up pricking a finger on a spindle, spellbound, and pretty much stuck like that until they're kissed by a random stranger who they end up marrying because they've been told it's true love's kiss.
I'm not saying that as a society we should let people run wild with no rules or regulations ... I'm just saying that maybe loosening the reins on certain things would actually lead people away from said things, you know, making them less attractive or whatnot.
I should just go ahead and post the "Reflection" video here and be done with analyzing the intricacies of Mulan ... But why would I do that? I mean, it does give us one of the main lessons from the movie, which is to learn to love yourself for who you are, which is a lesson that I happen to love so GO MULAN! Everyone, let your reflections show who you are inside!
Yes, great lesson ... But I actually want to focus on an additional one that Mulan teaches throughout the movie, which is to throw expectation out the window and do what feels right for you. We see the moment Mulan cuts off her hair and puts on that armor, she is making a decision to toss society's expectations for her as a young, Asian woman aside. She doesn't do this for fame or glory or because she thinks she'll meet the man of her dreams ... She does it because she wants to help her family and her father and thinks it's the right thing to do. She's doing it because the decision feels right for her, and that's what makes it so great.
I'm not saying that as a society we should let people run wild with no rules or regulations ... I'm just saying that maybe loosening the reins on certain things would actually lead people away from said things, you know, making them less attractive or whatnot.
The Little Mermaid (1989)
I must have seen this movie close to a hundred times growing up because it was my sister's favorite ... and absolutely not mine! I always thought King Triton was a bit of a bully, especially when he broke all of Ariel's prized possessions in that one scene when he finds out about Eric. Overprotective, much?! ... But it doesn't matter because the real lesson learned from The Little Mermaid actually has nothing to do with overbearing fathers but more with expressing your feelings.
Freakin' Prince Eric! I mean what was wrong with him in the movie? He clearly had a thing for Ariel. I know the girl gave up her voice for legs and wasn't able to verbalize her feelings to him, but she was sending all the right signals, and dude did nothing. Sebastian and his whole underwater team of musicians even sang a song while they were romantically out on the water ... and this guy still failed to kiss the girl (and don't blame it on Flotsam and Jetsam) --- Eric needed to grow a pair! He had plenty of chances.
OK, so it's Disney ... We know they'll probably end up together in the end ... But in real life, the lesson is ... DO SOMETHING if you're even slightly interested in someone. Don't let the person who may or may not be the love of your life (or the love of your next few months) end up being the one who gets away because you think there may be something better out there (ummm, hello Prince Eric, Vanessa was Ursula in disguise) or because you're scared of getting hurt. This is life, people. It's not a Disney movie. Kiss the girl (or guy)! Put yourselves out there.
Beauty and the Beast (1991)
If Belle could tell the world anything it would be this: read more and don't settle in life and love.
While Cinderella has always been my favorite Disney movie, I'd have to say that as I've gotten older Belle may possibly be climbing the ranks as my favorite princess, overall. I mean she always had her head in a book, which I can absolutely appreciate. Everyone should read more ... more news, more novels, more comic strips. It doesn't even matter. They just should ... it makes for more clever conversation.
And when it comes to settling, no one offers a better lesson than Belle. That girl had the town hottie throwing himself at her, proposing left and right, and she went for the large, hairy underdog ... who ended up being the most gallant, sweetest Prince a girl could ask for ... She didn't settle and ended up finding true love. She also gave us a little life lesson about steering clear of falling for people simply by their outward appearances. Gaston, while being super fly according to the ladies in the neighborhood (who, now that I watch the movie as an adult, may have been French hookers), wasn't exactly the brightest crayon in the box and Belle knew that she wanted more out of life than what he could offer - more than the cabin and kids and dogs and whatnot.
Belle teaches us that material things don't really matter in the end, and that looks aren't everything - that they fade over time. I mean, come on people, cosmetic surgery is expensive. You need to find someone who is a complete package - someone who is attractive to you (whatever that may mean) and who also stimulates your brain - someone you can talk to ... where the conversation doesn't get boring. It'll just make for a happier existence.
Aladdin (1992)
I can't be positive if it was Aladdin or this one blond kid in my elementary school who was my first crush ever ... But either way, Aladdin and I go way, way back and he definitely taught me a thing or two about life. Jasmine did too, and the rest of the gang ... I mean, come on, this is one of my faves. I think I wanted to be Jasmine for the first half of my life. I think my sister still wants to be her.
I'd say there are two very important lessons we can take from Aladdin. First and foremost, as the Beatles said, money can't buy you love (neither can Genie's magic). It might get you 75 golden camels, 53 peacocks, and a whole zoo of exotic-type mammals ... But, in the end, what matters is if you are kind and trusting and can show your significant other a whole new world (::wink wink:: ... see what I did there). I'm not saying that money is unimportant in this life; obviously, we need it to get by and live our lives ... But you don't need loads and loads of it to be happy.
The second lesson Aladdin teaches us is that if you lie ... it will come back and sting you in the ass! Remember Genie as he buzzes around Aladdin's head and the fairly simple, "TELL HER THE TRUTHHHHH!" Yeah, Jasmine wasn't very appreciative of Prince Ali's lies ... She forgave him in the end ... but this is Disney, sometimes real life doesn't end up like that. Jasmine showed us that you shouldn't pretend to be someone you're not ... because you may just end up being accepted for who you actually are ... and that's the greatest love of all.
The second lesson Aladdin teaches us is that if you lie ... it will come back and sting you in the ass! Remember Genie as he buzzes around Aladdin's head and the fairly simple, "TELL HER THE TRUTHHHHH!" Yeah, Jasmine wasn't very appreciative of Prince Ali's lies ... She forgave him in the end ... but this is Disney, sometimes real life doesn't end up like that. Jasmine showed us that you shouldn't pretend to be someone you're not ... because you may just end up being accepted for who you actually are ... and that's the greatest love of all.
Pocahontas (1995)
So, the lesson learned from this wonderful little flick is pretty simple right? ... Don't be held down by the white man!
No, no, no. Just kidding! But the lessons were simple in this movie ... Pocahontas pretty much puts the lessons into song lyrics for us, so why don't I just cut right to the point.
Lesson 1: You can't step in the same river twice; the water's always changing, always flowing ... So, be like Pocahontas and make sure you give yourself a chance to see what's around the river bend, and don't settle for a Kocoum when a John Smith may just ask you to come to England with him ... But, also, be strong enough to say no when you have bigger plans for yourself.
Lesson 2: Walk the footsteps of a stranger to learn things you never knew you never knew. As a culture, so many of us have become so self-involved that we fail to open our eyes to all the richness that surrounds us. We, meaning Americans, are blessed to be surrounded by different ethnicities, and cultures, and religions, and ways of life, yet we live in our own little bubbles. We stick by our so-called "people" for whatever reason (and I'm not saying that's a bad thing) but, in addition to that, I also want to be a part of an America where people talk and intermarry and where bridges are built and relationships are cultivated ... That's how understanding starts and how learning happens and how acceptance grows. Pocahontas and John Smith figured it out. We can, too. (Maybe a couple hundred copies of the movie can be dropped over the Middle East, too).
Lesson 3: Maybe Pocahontas was a little young and naive but ... she did show us that maybe, occasionally in life there is love that is worth risking everything for ...
Mulan (1998)
I should just go ahead and post the "Reflection" video here and be done with analyzing the intricacies of Mulan ... But why would I do that? I mean, it does give us one of the main lessons from the movie, which is to learn to love yourself for who you are, which is a lesson that I happen to love so GO MULAN! Everyone, let your reflections show who you are inside!
Yes, great lesson ... But I actually want to focus on an additional one that Mulan teaches throughout the movie, which is to throw expectation out the window and do what feels right for you. We see the moment Mulan cuts off her hair and puts on that armor, she is making a decision to toss society's expectations for her as a young, Asian woman aside. She doesn't do this for fame or glory or because she thinks she'll meet the man of her dreams ... She does it because she wants to help her family and her father and thinks it's the right thing to do. She's doing it because the decision feels right for her, and that's what makes it so great.
So there you have you it ... Life lessons learned from Disney movies ... Or at least the ones starring the original Disney Princesses.
(Oh, and side note, Tinker Bell was actually also considered one of the original Princesses and then was kicked out the club ... So, here's an additional lesson for everyone --- you don't always get the one you want and jealousy is not cute! Sorry Tink but it's true).
(Oh, and side note, Tinker Bell was actually also considered one of the original Princesses and then was kicked out the club ... So, here's an additional lesson for everyone --- you don't always get the one you want and jealousy is not cute! Sorry Tink but it's true).
I know that Tiana from The Princess and the Frog, Rupunzel from Tangled, and Merida from Brave have been added as Princesses in the past few years but, honestly, I think the only one I've seen in its entirety has been Tangled so giving lessons from those would just be disrespectful to Disney ... Maybe now I have a reason to actually see Brave.
The past can't be rewritten, you get the life you're given. Oh, some pages turned, some bridges burned, but there were lessons learned. (Lessons Learned, Carrie Underwood)
