Monday Motivation: 4 July
Got the Monday blues? Reclaim the day and set the tone for the entire week with these helpful, motivational tidbits:
“You must not let anyone define your limits because of where you come from. Your only limit is your soul” – Chef Gusteau, “Ratatouille”
When it comes to humour and heartwarming stories, Disney/Pixar films very rarely disappoint. They’re like treasure troves, and every so often they’re packed with pearls of wisdom, such as this one from the 2007 flick, “Ratatouille”.
In the film, a rat seeks to realise his dream of becoming a world-class cook. He takes inspiration from one Chef Gusteau, a Parisian restaurateur who believes that anyone – ANYONE, no matter who they are or where they come from – can cook.
In a sense, Gusteau’s words can be applied to our daily lives: regardless of your upbringing, your circumstances, and/or your identity, no one should fault you or box you according to their own criteria. The only person who knows you better is yourself, and you need to step out of your way so that you can fulfil your goals unhindered.
“In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun” – Mary Poppins, “Mary Poppins”
What is fun? For children, it might be playing with their toys, watching TV or hanging out with their friends; for adults … well, the same things, really! (Although they may prefer to call it “self-care”.)
Whatever the case may be, Mary Poppins – who, in the 1964 film of the same name, is a nanny with magical abilities – teaches us that although there are certain chores or work-related tasks to be done, we can try to have fun while we’re at it.
For example, listen to a podcast while you’re washing the dishes, turn housework into a race by seeing if you can complete your chores before your significant other does, use chocolates and sweets as teaching aids (and rewards) while helping your kids with their maths homework, or put on some music while you’re putting together a presentation for work (with a dance session between each completed slide).
Without an element of fun, our tasks and chores become mundane, resulting in listlessness and disinterest, which could dampen your motivation. Make it fun – the more fun it is, the faster it’ll be done!
“I can’t go back to yesterday; I was a different person then” – Alice, “Alice in Wonderland”
Granted, Alice’s adventure in Wonderland was certainly a unique experience (talking cats, humanoid card decks, a rabbit-chase, and a mad tea party, among other things), but there’s no doubting the poignancy of this particular quote.
Often there are times we look back on our pasts, wondering how things would’ve turned out if we had done something – anything! – remotely different. Perhaps in the midst of our reminiscing, we wish that we can go back to yesterday and relive those moments that we hold dear.
However, it’s important to remember that life’s constantly changing and moving forward, and you need to do the same so that you can become the best version of yourself. In other words, to find fulfilment, stop living in the past – the future is waiting for you.
“To infinity and beyond!” – Buzz Lightyear, “Toy Story”
This epic catchphrase has been so ingrained in the public’s conscience, that sometimes one forgets that it originates from the 1995 movie, “Toy Story”, in which Buzz Lightyear is merely a toy who truly believes himself to be a living, breathing space ranger (and finds himself at odds with his fellow toys as a result).
At its core, “To infinity and beyond” teaches us that you can do anything more than you are capable of. There is no existing limit or boundary that can keep you from achieving any and all possibilities.
And, even when you reach the peak of success, there’s still more room to go further.
