All our lives, we have been watching cartoons. When we grew up, we start to navigate towards watching films on screen in the cinema. Have we really ever pondered about the message that lies beneath these films? Recently, I’ve got the opportunity to catch Christopher Robin in the cinema via a friend’s invitation. No doubt, it was a heartwarming fantasy drama about friendship, love and family; garnering a good 7.8/10 on IMDB. It was a pretty awesome rendition of Winnie the Pooh cartoon isn’t it? When you peel off the layers of drama and special effects, you’ll realize the meaningful messages behind it. I assure you, these are very real and raw life lessons.
And here’s my take on these messages:
Christoper Robin (the movie) subtly highlights different mental issues.
Here’s the cold hard truth. Such societal issues are very real, they could’ve been around us and we may not even be aware of it. Let’s take a closer look:
Christopher Robin: Schizophrenia – all the characters in Winnie the Pooh are manifestations of his mood
Winnie the Pooh: Impulsivity with obsessive fixations, inattentive subtype of ADHD and OCD – obsessed with honey no matter what, careless and indifferent behavior towards peers, repetitive counting (for the perfect number)
Piglet: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) – worries too much, possess a crippled sense of self-esteem; stuttering
Owl: Dyslexia – struggles with spelling
Tigger: ADHD – bouncing around all the time, can’t stay still
Kanga: Social anxiety disorder – overprotects Roo; exaggerated fear for Roo’s safety.
Roo: Autism spectrum disorder – unaware of surrounding danger; dependent on mother
Rabbit: OCD – obsessed with keeping everything organized (i.e. gardening)
Eeyore: Depressive disorder – very bleak outlook on life, never shown joy or excitement.
Take a moment and ponder, how many of these relates to you or someone you know? Sometimes, we may not even be aware that we are watching an animation that reflect such issues. Yet, being able to relate to such manifestations can be extremely dangerous. If you do know anyone who shows minor or extreme signs, please do seek help that is readily available. Someone out there is willing to listen to you.
2. If you dream it, and want it hard enough. Dreams can become reality.
Scenes where Pooh waited for years, and kept thinking about Christopher Robin in a gloomy and rustic world led him virtually from the another part of the universe to Christopher’s back yard. Now, I’m looking from Pooh’s perspective. Pooh’s yearning for Christopher was so immense, he made it to the real world. He came into Christopher’s adult life, and for a good reason.
Objectively, such obsession of wanting something can be positive in our lives. When we let go of self-criticism and power our thoughts, you can literally accomplish anything. Do you know what that sounds like? Limitless opportunities. You’ll never know success until you try working towards your goals. Of course, it’s not all potions and magic, persistence and hard work plays a part too.
Dreams are often dreams. Possibilities are actually derived from limitless thoughts.
Maybe I have been reading too much biography on Nick Vujicic.
3. Your loved ones in your life are more important than any career or jobs.
I cannot stress this enough.
How many of us have been trapped in this rat race? Especially in Singapore. I know, all of us want to study, grow up, start a career, pay off the student loans, save up to buy a house, get married, buy a car etc. But let’s not forget to live a life worth living while we are struggling to fulfill all these and survive.
There is only 24 hours a day in your life, and for the majority of us, most of us spend more than 40 hours a week on our jobs. The sad truth is, anyone and everyone is replaceable in today’s society. Yes, it may seem that many people in your company may depend on you (if you are management level), but your loved ones and family depends on you most, emotionally.
I’m not telling anyone to give up on their jobs or not give their best in their careers, but rather balance work with life itself. Revisit your priorities. Will you be able to bring all that wealth into your coffin one day? What are the things that people remember you by at your funeral? How many millions you earn or how fast you get that promotion? Or how you treat other humans with care and respect? And go the extra mile to help another being? Or maybe create an invention that revolutionize the world?
I have met and read about so many successful and wealthy people who aren’t happy with their lives. There is a legit reason why.
There is only so much time you get to have family dinner with your parents or family, fairly little moments you get to listen to the complaints of your siblings/cousins as you age, sparse romantic moments you get to spend with you spouse and so much chances to watch you child’s first step, first speech and first smile. These are the things you jobs or career cannot provide you. These are the moments that money can’t buy. These are the silent moments. These are the invoking moments of truth, of impact, of example. You’ll have to live through it to see it all. These are the precious moments to cherish for life.
Let these moments be the ones you live for, before life flashes right by you.
Perhaps, witnessing life manifesting in itself, is success to me.
Hilary Travels 