Are we ever too old for Winnie the Pooh?

 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.

Wisdom of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Who can forget orange-faced Oompa Loompas singing and dancing? Or when Charlie opens up a corner of a chocolate bar and sees a peek of a golden ticket to visit Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory? Who can forget Charlie dancing with his Grandpa in their poor circumstances, hopeful of a brighter day? 

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is one of my all-time favorite films. But it was only recently that I discovered wisdom and life lessons in it. 

I want to jump to the end of the movie but first I need to explain that there are different obstacles or temptations in the film for the “golden ticket” participants of Willy Wonka’s contest for a lifetime supply of chocolate. Who doesn’t long for a lifetime of free chocolate? I know I do. 

Well, from the opening of the chocolate bar with the golden ticket, a creepy character named Slugworth, enters the scenes. He whispers in the ears of Charlie and the other participants that if they can give Slugworth an Everlasting Gobstopper, then they would be rich. 

During the tour of the Chocolate Factory, Charlie and the others have an opportunity to snatch an Everlasting Gobstopper. We see the other participants drop out of the race for a lifetime of chocolate through a variety of means that exposes their true character. Greed, avarice…. Whether it was a goose that laid golden eggs, or a piece of gum that turned its chewer into a large blueberry, no one could stay the course except for humble Charlie. 

By the end of the film, it seems evident that Charlie will gain a lifetime of chocolate. But that’s when the movie takes a twist. When the Grandpa inquires as to when Charlie will receive his chocolate inheritance, Willy Wonka says, “You lose! Good day, sir!” We can see Charlie leave Mr. Willy Wonka’s office with a heavy heart. Then Charlie turns around and silently slides an Everlasting Gobstopper onto Mr. Wonka’s desk.  

Much to Charlie’s surprise, Willy Wonka becomes very animated and exclaimed, “Charlie, You won! You did it! You did it! I just knew you would!” Then Mr. Wonka has Mr. Slugworth come in, who was an employee of Mr. Wonka all along, to test the participants to see who was truly worthy of the prize, 

Then, an exultant moment begins while Mr. Wonka and Charlie and Grandpa go on a magic elevator that can move in all directions, to show Charlie that he has won much more than a lifetime supply of chocolate. Charlie has won all that Mr. Wonka has. He is the next heir to the Chocolate Factory. 

Now, wasn’t that worth it, the test, in comparison to all that Charlie won? Isn’t this life or test worth it, to win all the Creator or Universe has, and is anxious to give to us? 

On dark, discouraging days, which we all have, take heart. Each of us has a golden ticket, or opportunity to prove ourselves. I believe there is a benevolent force in the Universe that will richly reward us in our efforts. 

Don’t give up hope. A lifetime supply of chocolate or your wildest dreams may be just around the corner. Never forget, they are around the corner.