Dedicated to Joanna
I recently came across a fervent Winnie the Pooh lover and
it gave me pause for reflection on how Winnie the Pooh has impacted my life.
Where would we be without Winnie the Pooh in our lives? Are we ever too old for
Winnie the Pooh?
So, I looked up a variety of Winnie the Pooh quotes and was
pleasantly surprised at the treasure trove of lessons that we can learn from
Winnie the Pooh and his friends.
I’ve always marveled at the variety of personality types in Winnie
the Pooh, yet they always get along fairly well in spite of their differences.
Let’s hear from some of those characters.
I love how Winnie the Pooh said, “People say nothing is
impossible, but I do nothing every day.” That is classic Winnie the Pooh. Everyone
seems to love and adore Winnie the Pooh and I was contemplating as to why.
Well, fat bears are very cute, but
the underlying reason I love Winnie the Pooh is that he is happy with who he
is. He’s completely genuine, open and comfortable in his skin. He’s a very
simple bear who loves honey.
I think that if we were more comfortable
with ourselves and truly lived in the moment, we would be more care-free and joyful
like Winnie the Pooh. There would be less neurosis in the world.
Now, let’s hear from some of Pooh’s
other close friends.
Winnie the Pooh has a special love
for his dear friend, Piglet. If you recall, Piglet is a little on the nervous
and anxious side and Pooh is ever patient and encouraging. Here’s a gem of
wisdom from Piglet:
“The things that make me different are the things that make me, me.” I wish
everyone could internalize that statement. I wish we embraced differences and
valued our individual worth for the quirks that make each of us different and
unique.
One adorable thing that makes
Piglet unique is his excitement for living. Piglet said, “I wonder what’s going
to happen exciting today?”
Even sad and lonely Eeyore has his
gems of wisdom. Eeyore said, “A little consideration, a little thought for
others, makes all the difference.” That is so true. Who knows the impact we can
have on others with the slightest consideration for others? A smile, a kind
word, may lift another soul in ways unknown to us.
Eeyore, for all his pessimism, has
occasional glimpses of optimism. Eeyore said, “It never hurts to keep looking
for sunshine.” A brighter outlook always makes things seem more hopeful.
Winnie the Pooh knows a thing or
two about friendship. He said, “A day without a friend is like a pot without a
single drop of honey left inside.” Pooh
also stated, “Any day spent with you is my favorite day. So, today is my new
favorite day.” I love this from Pooh, “If there ever comes a day when we can’t
be together, keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever.”
Who can forget effervescent Tigger,
full of life and energy? Tigger always sings, “The most wonderful thing about
Tigger’s is, I’m the only one.” Each of us can insert our name into that statement
and value our uniqueness. There will never be another person like you. Ever.
I could go on and on with lessons
learned from each character. But I need to focus on Winnie the Pooh’s best
friend, Christopher Robbin. Christopher Robbin had that soothing British voice
and encouraging effect on Winnie the Pooh. Christopher said to Pooh, “You’re
braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.”
Oh, that each of us could have a true friend like Christopher Robbin. I wish even
further that each of us could be a true friend like Christopher Robbin.
Here are some concluding
statements of wisdom from Winnie the Pooh himself. Pooh said, “Don’t
underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all
the things you can’t hear, and not bothering.” What a beautiful treatise on
mindfulness and being in the moment? Also, of not bothering or worrying.
Here is another insightful remark
from Winnie the Pooh: “Rivers know this: There is no hurry. We shall get there
some day.” Patience was a hallmark of Pooh, except when he needed honey. Pooh
often said, “I’m so rumbly in my tumbly.”
Pooh summed it up well when he
stated, “Those who are clever, who have a Brain, never understand anything.” We
need to learn and feel with our hearts.
In conclusion, I think we can
learn timeless lessons from Winnie the Pooh and that its principles are
ageless. So, if you want to be a Winnie the Pooh fan until the day you die, you
won’t be in poor company. Finally, Winnie the Pooh said, “Some people care too
much. I think it’s called love.”
Please pass Winnie the Pooh and
friends love to everyone within your realm of influence. Most importantly, pass
along this love to yourself. I think that would make Winnie the Pooh happy.
