This will probably be one of those blog entries that offend many, but please keep in mind that these are simply my opinions and revelations. Just because this is my revelation doesn’t mean that I am trying to push my beliefs and opinions on you. This is simply for anyone who might want an explanation because they may feel the same way. So, here it goes….
I have always loved Disney. As a child, we were never in a position to take a Disney World vacation, and I was completely fine with that. During my first marriage, I began to collect Disney plushies because for some reason it helped me to find the happiness I was lacking. I finally went to Disney World as a honey moon during my second marriage. After that first trip, I made a choice that I was going to find ways to go to Disney World as often as I possibly could.
I was so obsessed with these trips that I began doing the whole Disney bounding thing, and when I did, it was to every last detail. Don’t get me wrong, it was a blast. It was such a delight when my present husband (the most amazing man I have ever known….aside from Jesus, of course) volunteered to Disney bound with me. I had an amazing time on our first trip. We celebrated our 2nd anniversary in Disney, and I do not regret it at all. I got to do the whole Disney experience with the man I love whole heartedly. Our second trip was very much the same….we chose the character and Disney bound the part. On our third trip, we took my step son with us. Again, we had a blast. However, on the last day at the park, Magic Kingdom (my favorite park), something changed. I lost my desire to go to Disney World again.
I didn’t thoroughly question this feeling. I thought it was simply because I needed a break from the large crowds. Admittedly, it was EXTREMELY crowded, but crowds never bothered me before…I was in the happiest place on earth. Till the beginning of this week, I could not pinpoint the reason behind my nonexistent desire to return to Disney World.
A few days ago someone told me about a movie they thought was quite controversial. Through the conversation, I felt that I needed to watch it to understand. I tried to read some reviews but only found mixed emotions. I renewed my Disney + subscription (I had cancelled it all because of the agenda they were pushing in what I thought was a cute movie, “Godmothered”.) so I could watch this movie, “Turning Red”. I was horrified! The insinuations throughout the movie is what really horrified me. The content and symbolism around certain things and situations were ghastly. Sure, the rebellious 13 year old wasn’t something to brag about…I thought that was horrible too. However, it was everything else that made me sick to my stomach. I couldn’t even watch it till the end. I won’t even go into the details because there are enough reviews on the internet that you can research for yourself. However, that movie caused me to reach a major turning point in my life. I guess you can say “Turning Red” caused my “Turning Point”. (Okay….maybe it was funnier in my head.)
Now, when I say that this is a major turning point….IT IS A MAJOR TURNING POINT. I was that Disney fan that surrounded herself with Disney. Our home has “Disney” themed rooms for goodness sakes. Nonetheless, at that moment, I decided that my relationship with Disney was over. Again, this is not to persuade you to boycott Disney. This is simply MY revelation. If you love Disney, by all means….carry on.
Just this morning, I began thinking back to all the Disney movies I’ve watched and loved. Sure, we all love movies with happy endings, but when rebellion is promoted in order to get that happy ending…..that’s another thing. There are some that lessons were learned from their rebellion, but there are others that victory occurred because they rebelled against their parents. This has been a consistent theme, but it wasn’t until “Turning Red” that I realized where this “rebellion theme” is headed. It is a huge disappointment to have this type of revelation because it means that an agenda was being pushed ever since the beginning. The difference with the latest movie is that now the parents have to give in to what their children want to do. Don’t dare discipline your children because we now fear that they are unhappy or unsafe? I am in no way comparing abusive parents to parents who discipline. There is a crucial difference between the two.
Looking back on my own rebellion, I realize that my parents’ discipline was for my own good. While I may have felt sheltered, it was to keep me safe and keep me from an early death. It took years for me to realize this, and all I can say is that I wish I would have come to this realization so much sooner. I could have saved myself from years and years of heartbreak and struggle. While many will say that I have been brain washed, I say that you are so far from the truth. Looking back on the horrible things I’ve done and how immorally I lived, it is obvious that I was not brain washed….if I were, I would not have been in rebellion for so long. I chose my own path. I chose to take the test over and over and over and over again. So many things could have been prevented if I would have opened my eyes to see that the only reason my parents disciplined me was because they loved me and wanted what was best for me. I know it pained them to see me going through my adult life with nothing but trouble. No parent wants to see their child going through tough times. The day I gave my life to Christ is the day that I realized the worldly views tainted my entire life. I was reborn—a new creation. Praise Jesus! Now, He guides me down the path I must take.
Apparently, this revelation I had about Disney is just another part of me that I needed to come to terms with. As much as I want to deny it, I do believe I was making my love for Disney an idol. After all, my goal was to surround myself with Disney memorabilia as much as I could. Thank goodness we have a small home! While I do have Disney decor all over our home, it will take some time to make a transition. However, a transition will be happening in some of those cases. One step at a time. For now, I am getting rid of those things that I can easily be rid of.
In conclusion, my opinion and revelation about Disney is my own. I do not condemn anyone who is where I was. While my husband does not like Disney, he allowed time for me to develop my own conclusions. So, I believe that he will be completely shocked about my revelation. So, if you are a lover of Disney or the new movie “Turning Red”, that is your opinion. When it comes to change….we have to be ready for that ourselves. No one can force change upon us.
Peace and Blessings!
A Little Bit of This and A Little Bit of That 