Hakuna Matata: “No Worries for the Rest of Your Days”
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“If you don’t know where you want to go, then it doesn’t matter which path you take.” – Cheshire Cat, Alice in Wonderland
Life: Sharp left or stay right?
You: I have no idea where I’m even going.
Although we like to pretend that we have our lives together, there’s no doubt that if we’re being honest, we oftentimes have not the slightest idea as to what we are doing, if a choice we made was the best decision, or if we are headed in the right direction after all. So, try looking at the uncertainties life presents you through the Cheshire Cat perspective, that is, if you’re willing to take the advice of a pink and purple striped cat.
2. “A little consideration, a little thought for others, makes all the difference.” – Eeyore, Winnie the Pooh
It’s true. It only takes a little heart to go a long way. This year, instead of viewing kindness as simply “right,” and acts of kindness a checkmark in maintaining an image as a good person, show others love through consideration and thought because you genuinely want to. If a little heart goes a long way, how far might a big heart go?
3. “Always let your conscience be your guide.” – Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio
You know that little voice inside your head that puts in its two cents before you’ve even had a chance to process whatever it is at hand? A voice you know all too well in its uncanny capability to simultaneously resemble both a whisper and a shout—a voice that works alongside its sidekicks of a pounding heart and “gut feeling” when ignored? Yep, that’s your conscience speaking, and as pestering as it might be, it’s usually right. Do yourself a favor and try following your conscience’s life navigation system.
4. “You gotta put your behind in ya past.” – Pumbaa, The Lion King
Everyone feels the need for a clean slate, a refresh, a new beginning… that’s the beauty of a new year. Don’t forgo this special limited time offer – there won’t be another one like this for 365 more days… 366 if it’s a leap year. It’s time to put your past behind you, or your behind in ya past, whichever you feel is more relevant at the time!
5. “The seaweed is always greener in somebody else’s lake.” – Sebastion, The Little Mermaid
Stop assuming that other people have their life together, or that their lives are perfect, or at least closer to perfect than yours. Comparing yourself is so 2016. And, as irony would have it, someone probably looks at you and thinks something similar. Would you say your lake’s seaweed is as green as they thought?
6. “You must not let anyone define your limits because of where you come from. Your only limit is your soul.” – Gusteau, Ratatouille
If you’ve found that, especially in college, you are at a disadvantage because you don’t share the same background knowledge or come from the usual upbringing that you see as the “norm” to the en route of success, take it from someone who has shared the same concern(s) when I say: it should be you who defines your limits in life. Not others. Who you are and what you aspire to do is defined by you, and you only. You are not behind because there is no default behind. You are just getting started.
As always, Disney says it best. Hakuna Matata.