Powerful Life Lessons from the Most Magical Place on Earth
Ya’ll know me, and you know personal growth is very important to me. I think it’s really important for all of us to feel like we are being inspired by the things around us and taking it all in to become the best versions of ourselves. Part of the reason we started What A Good Day was to help everyone make each day brighter and happier, to help you make sure no day has to be ordinary. It doesn’t take magic to make that happen, but for me, my best days have always been the most magical ones. I’ve been to Disney World 22 times. It is truly my favorite place in the world, and I love nothing more than spending time there with the people I love most. This year, the Magic Kingdom is celebrating its 50th Anniversary, and I’m feeling all kinds of nostalgia about it, because Disney has truly taught me some lessons that made me the person I am today. So, I hope you’ll read on and let me share with you the things we can learn from Disney.
Keep Moving Forward
“Around here, however, we don’t look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening new doors and doing new things.”
Walt Disney spoke these words when talking about how his theme parks would “never be finished,” that they would always be growing and adapting as time went on. And they have. Old attractions get upgrades or close to make way for something completely new.
People are like that too. I think there is always pressure to already “be” what or who you are supposed to be. When we move out on our own or start a career or get married or have a child, there is this misconception that you should feel like you’ve “made it.” But those events don’t make us a finished product. They are not endings, but beginnings. Walt understood this. The day they cut the rope at Magic Kingdom was not the end, it was the beginning.
Disney World is still going strong 50 years later because it kept growing and changing. That’s the best thing we can do for ourselves to encourage feelings of success and fulfillment. Always remember that you are still growing. I’m still becoming a teacher, still growing into my role as a mother, still learning what it means to be myself. It’s about progress, not perfection, so just “keep moving forward!”
Say, "Yes, If"
“If you can dream it, you can do it.”
When Walt was building Disneyland, he called his team of people his imagineers. To imagineer is to create a vision with imagination and then make it happen through good planning and expertise. To accomplish this, however, you have to adjust the way you think about change and progress. Walt would say this is the difference between a mentality of “yes, if” or “no, because.”
His imagineers couldn’t come to him with a problem and say “no, we can’t do this.” They could only say, “yes, we can do it, if…” This attitude led to countless innovations in the fields of technology, architecture, media, and customer service. The Disney parks exist because of the “yes, if” attitude.
Most of us are totally guilty of having a “no, because” attitude. It’s easier to focus on all the reasons we feel our problems are too big or that we can’t make a change.
So what do we do? How do we change our mindset? Decide right now to change the way you think. Decide that you will never say, “no, because,” but rather “yes, if.” It sounds like a small shift, but the impact of our attitude on our lives is immense, and having the right attitude can change everything. If you’re asking yourself, “can I do this?’ or “can i fix this?” The answer is yes, you can! Just learn to say yes, and then look for the ifs.
Be Original
“The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, and that’s what makes you unique.”
This is a lesson Disney has been teaching me for decades. Especially now in the days of social media, its so hard not to look at others and then look in the mirror and find ourselves wanting, and to wish we were more like someone else. But if you think about Disney’s characters, most of them are underdogs, victims of great adversity, or just plain different.
Think about Cinderella, mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters, lonely, and seemingly powerless to change her circumstances. Or Aladdin, poor, mistrusted, underestimated. Belle, bookish, outspoken, and “odd.” There are decades of them: Elsa, Dumbo, Hiro, Judy Hopps, Flynn Rider, and the list goes on. Their stories are the ones Disney celebrates.
Maybe it sounds silly, but this made all the difference to me as a child. I was always a little different, a little awkward, growing up. I still can be at times. But seeing characters who were like me be the hero made me want to lean into the person I was instead of trying to be like someone else. So, be you. We’re all the hero of our own story, and Disney teaches us to be proud of whatever kind of hero we are.
Never Grow Up
“You’re dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway.”
One of my favorite things about the Disney Parks is that they aren’t just for kids. Disney wanted the parks to have attractions that adults would enjoy too. And this has only grown with time. In 50 years, Disney World has added a lot of amazing attractions, experiences, and restaurants catering specifically to adults.
Whether I am there with only adults or with my children, Disney World allows me to have the freedom to just be in the moment and embrace joy and humor and silliness. To leave behind for a bit the worries I carry and just have fun.
But this isn’t just something that can happen in Disney World. If you find yourself taking life too seriously, burdened too much by the weight of your problems and responsibilities, be sure to make time for fun. Invest in your hobbies, and spend time with people who make you feel lighter or make you laugh. Embrace the idea of being carefree and find things you love to do that make you feel like a kid again. Be silly. Believe in magic. Have an adventure. Live in the moment. Just be a big kid. We all deserve that.
Family Matters Most
“The important thing is the family. If you can keep the family together — and that’s the backbone of our whole business, catering to families — that’s what we hope to do.”
Walt was a big believer that family is the most important thing. He wanted his parks to be places where families could spend time together. Disney World is one of the most visited family destinations in the world, and with good reason. There is so much to do for everyone.
The reason I’ve been to Disney so many times is because whenever I’m there, I am totally focused on experiencing the fun with whoever I’m with. I’ve enjoyed trips with friends, students, my parents, my brothers, my husband, my nephew, and my children, and all of them are among my happiest memories.
The thing is, though, that I’ve had days like that in other places too. It’s not really the place I’m in, it’s the fact that I’m present and I’m focused on the people who make my life as beautiful as it is. When we focus on the people who matter most and give the bulk of our time to those people, we lead happier and more fulfilled lives.
Looking for Disney in Your Life?
As a seasoned Disneygoer, I’ve toyed with the idea of offering resources on the blog for planning trips to Disney World. So, if you’ve been thinking that the 50th anniversary would be the perfect time for a romantic getaway, a girls trip, or a fun family vacation, drop a comment below if you would be interested in resources and planning tips so you can get the most out of the most magical place on earth!
And check out these great posts to put a little magic in your life today!
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Jamie, I really enjoyed reading this. You are amazing!! Love you!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!