If you need a lesson in love and how to live life authentically, watch the movie “Frozen”. It is more than a Disney movie…it is entertainment therapy – FOR ALL AGES! I can’t remember the last time I was this excited and pleased with a film…which is funny because I wasn’t really excited about going to it. (I mean, I did have a lot “better” things to do on a Friday night other than watch an overpriced kid’s movie in a crowded theater!)
Turns out I didn’t, the movie was worth every penny.
I was shocked when we walked in the theater to find people of all ages in there. The row behind us was filled with teenage boys and girls. The family in front of us had kids of various ages and grandma and grandpa tagged along as well.
The diverse crowd peaked my interest. “What was this movie all about? Am I missing something? Isn’t this just another Disney movie with a love story and some good guys and bad guys?
I am glad I took notice of the crowd because it stirred up some anticipation and changed my mindset.
I was immediately captivated when the movie started. What I thought was going to be just another Disney movie, turned out to be a masterpiece reflection of my life and everyone else’s. An animated story that we can all relate to. A love story – which the ultimate theme being to love yourself. It was truly wonderful on so many levels. So many life lessons can be learned through this film, here are some of them:
Recognize your gifts and use them.
Princess Elsa was blessed with a beautiful gift. Our gifts are meant to be used and shared with the world, not hidden. When we don’t use our gifts we will feel unfulfilled, lost, and depressed.
Feelings are meant to be felt.
The lyrics Elsa sings…”Conceal, don’t feel. Don’t let them in” are the exact opposite of what you should do. Our feelings are meant to be felt. If we keep stuffing them down we will explode, just like Elsa did when she froze Arendelle.
Let people in and ask for help.
People can’t help you if you don’t let them in. Elsa shut the door on her sister and her kingdom out of fear. Look what happened when she finally was her true self. People wanted to help her. People wanted to see her gift and be a part of it.
Love don’t protect.
Sometimes as parents, friends, and family members we do things to protect our loved ones but we are actually hurting them. Elsa’s parents hid their child’s gift from the world to protect those around her but they ended up hurting both their children and the people of Arendelle. While this is an act of love, it is not loving. To fully love, we need to accept everything about our loved ones. We need to let our children express themselves and not push things on them. We need to let them fall so they can learn to get back up. We need to let them feel. We need to teach them to love themselves.( Read this article as a start: “The Secret to Raising Happy Kids”)
Love Yourself
Love everything about yourself…EVERYTHING…all your “flaws”, gifts, and talents.
An authentic life can be a lonely life- BUT it will be a joyful one.
When you truly step into your true self, you will find that it can be a very lonely journey. Your values change and you may find that the people and things you surrounded yourself with no longer “fit” with you. Elsa exiled herself from her family and town to live alone in her ice castle. Even though she was alone, she was happy. She could finally BE HERSELF.
Playing doesn’t stop when you grow up.
When you listen to Anna sing, “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” you can’t help but want to scream “YES!” My inner child wanted to leap out of my seat and play. I found myself reflecting on the sad reality of growing up. So many people I meet these days seem to have abandoned their inner child.
No matter how bad your family situation is, there is no love greater than family love.
Anna sacrifices her life for her sister. Elsa runs away to protect her sister. Their parents make a touch decision to protect their children. We always seem to hurt the ones we love the most. Recognize that some of the things our family members do may be hurtful but they are acts of love and our family may not know any different.
The only acceptance you need is from yourself.
Once you accept and love yourself so will everyone else. We always look externally for love and happiness when we already have everything we need. Once Elsa stepped into her true self, the people of Arendelle embraced her as well.
After you watch the film, I invite you use the following questions below to reflect on for yourself and as conversation starters for your children.
“Frozen” Conversation Starters for You and Your Kids
- Why do you think Elsa’s parents wanted to hide her gift?
- How did that make Elsa’s feel?
- Do you think it was right of them to do that?
- Have we ever made you feel like Elsa?
- Did Elsa mean to hurt her sister Anna?
- How did Anna feel when her sister locked her out?
- What could Elsa have done differently?
- Why do you think Elsa felt like she had to leave Arendelle?
- Do you think people really didn’t like her?
- Remember when she says, “Conceal, don’t feel, don’t let them know”…Have you ever felt like Elsa did? Like you couldn’t “be” you?
“Frozen” Reflection Questions for Adults
- What gifts are you hiding?
- Elsa felt she had to isolate herself so she could be herself, in what ways do you isolate yourself so you can be who you are? When you are yourself, what are you doing and how are you feeling?
- Elsa’s parents believed they were protecting her and those around her, but they were actually hurting her. Have you ever done something similar with your children?
- We all want what is best for our children, what do you fear about them growing up?
- Sometimes are children have gifts and talents that do not align with ours. Do you push your wants and beliefs on your child or do you recognize and honor their unique gifts? If you aren’t allowing them to try or use their talent, why not? What are you afraid of?
- How did you feel when Anna sang, “Do you want to build a snowman?” Are there things you wanted to do in your childhood and couldn’t? Do you feel like you missed out? How are you playing in your life now?
- Do you believe you life an authentic life? If you aren’t sure, take this free assessment.
Here is a Media Mom segment where we talked about some of the important life lessons in the film, “Frozen”
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