Be Inspired- Wise Words in Children’s Movies

Editor: Anita Newkirk Hackney

As adults, we typically aim to garner inspirational and motivational teachings from well-known mentors, best-selling books and life experiences from influential people. These are good, but there must be the realization we can find those same charms of words in various aspects and people. 

Look at those ‘simple’ children’s movies we might watch with our kids or watch just to pass the time. They are as equally engaging, where the moral of the story and the catchy, yet wonderful songs, can inspire us.

Many of us have grown up on some of these wonderful animated movies that somehow take us back to our childhood when we come across them later in life. As a child, we don’t instantly understand the lessons in these movies. It is after experiencing life and navigating and fighting all of the struggles we have, that we can somehow gain a better appreciation for those movies and the soundtracks. 

Take Moana, an animated movie about a brave girl venturing out to save her village, though the norm of the village was to stay within the borders to keep safe. Though the moral of this movie is common, there were still so many engaging and enlightening songs in the movie. 

“The village may think I’m crazy

Or say that I drift too far

But once you know what you like, well

There you are”

This is a verse from the song, ‘Where You Are’, which surprisingly gave two different perspectives. First, how you can be happy from where you are and secondly, how listening to the voice inside you is instrumental in knowing yourself. There are so many of us that are still puzzled about life and don’t have the slightest clue on which path to take. We are uncertain if we should even continue on the path we are on……

“See the line where the sky meets the sea? It calls me

And no one knows, how far it goes

If the wind in my sail on the sea stays behind me

One day I’ll know, if I go there’s just no telling how far I’ll go”

Another equally engaging verse from the song, ‘How Far I’ll Go’, in the movie Moana. This song, though catchy, perfectly sums up the struggle of making a firm decision to choose the safe path or the one with massive risks. There are simply so many wise, relevant words that might relate to our current circumstances.

“They have stolen the heart from inside you

(Taku pelepele)

But this does not define you

(Manatunatu)

This is not who you are

You know who you are”

Honestly, if we remove the colourful animations and the fact it’s a ‘children’s movie’, this verse (‘Know Who You Are’ in the movie Moana) could and very well has left a lot of us in tears. 

Experiences and life situations have a way of changing us for the better or for the worst. At times, when it comes to our essential values and our truth, we might need a ‘You know who you are’ not to feel powerless in our current circumstances and to take those reins and move.

All those wise words were just from one children’s movie soundtrack, and there are tons out there (which you might find as equally enlightening). I’m just saying…we should strive to be open-minded in gaining clarity and welcoming inspiration and motivation from anywhere. We might be amazed. 

“I’m gonna fall

Headfirst and fast like an avalanche

Maybe I’ll land

Maybe I’ll crash, I will take that chance.”

This verse from ‘Float’, in ‘Tinker Bell and The Legend of the Neverbeast’ is such a powerful song. It possesses the spirit of being headstrong and determined to travel one’s path. 

The absolute beauty of these songs is that they span a wide array of situations and emotions. They have the magnitude to deal with various life issues that not only affect children but also adults.

“Do you long to be left all alone?

Set apart with a heart made of stone

Let me help, let’s begin

Let me learn, won’t you let me in?

All the light, let it show.”

‘Strange Sight’, a song from the same movie, was about dealing with others. It delved into our interactions with people who might be a bit closed off and not as open. A lot of us can relate to this.  Within ourselves, we can come to the realization that we too have barriers we have to work on when it comes to letting people into our lives. Life is not a Disney movie; but we can all agree, that it doesn’t mean we can’t be inspired or motivated by them. 

Sayin’, rise up

To the light in the sky, yeah

Watch the light lift your heart up

Burn your flame through the night

(Spirit- Disney’s The Lion King)