Life lessons learned from ‘Mary Poppins Returns’

I don’t get to see many movies these days. And when I do, it usually involves taking the kids or in this recent case, watching a movie downloaded hot off the iTunes press over the school holidays! We had struck one wet day while on our beach holiday, so we decided on watching a movie, as you do! Mary Poppins Returns had just been released on iTunes so that was the pick – or should I say my son Zigi picked it, the rest of us went along with his enthusiastic choice!

Now to be clear – I am not a major Poppins fan – although I had of course seen the first movie a few times as a child (which is more than my hubby could say! Inconceivable I know – but true!) So, let’s just say I went in with no expectations – save that the movie would occupy Zigi for at least two hours while it teemed rain outside!

I took away far more than I expected!

Now, before you go judging me on my taste in movies – allow me a few moments of time to tell you why I am still thinking about the film days later. Truth be told – I blame the pesky show tunes! Those cleverly written ones that you find yourself involuntarily humming days later!

As they have been bouncing around my head these last few days, I realised they had some pretty cool messages, not just for the kids, but to us adults who can read between the lines. So – here are my takeaways!

It’s what is inside that counts (A cover is not the Book)

Whether we acknowledge it or not – we all wear masks. We project a person that others see quite differently to how we see ourselves. Sometimes putting a mask on is pure survival and quite deliberate. Other times we do it unwittingly as we share only the best of ourselves on social media, or as perceptions of us are filtered through other people’s “first impression” lenses. We all know the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover”, but how often do we stop to find out what is in the pages, and perhaps what sits between the lines? Yet right there – that is where we find humanity. It really is what is inside that matters.

When the world turns upside down – turn along with it (Turning Turtle)

There are days where things don’t go the way we expect them to, and sometimes our entire world can be turned on its head in an instant. Coping with the unexpected is never easy, but it often starts with our mindset. If we are willing to accept that dealing with the unexpected is to be an expected part of life, then we will roll with the punches more easily. Sometimes we find our “new way up” by flipping our perspective “on its head” so that what we once saw as upside down, looks the right way up. I loved the phrase “turning turtle”! When life has us upside down, let’s take the time to see the world differently until we can get right way up again!

When it gets dark – find your spark (Trip a little light Fantastic)

We all go through times in life that are dark and difficult. Times when the fog of life’s circumstance rolls in and we feel lost. In those moments – we have a choice to make – we have to choose how we will respond – will we give in to the “darkness” and let sadness take hold? or will we instead look for a light to help us see the way out?

Life is brighter when we dream (Can you Imagine that?)

As an estates lawyer – I often find my intellect and logical side competes with the creative in me. I used to describe myself as a “frustrated creative” – but I have now come to embrace more of my inner “dreamer” and I have come to learn to trust that voice too. Giving ourselves the headspace to be creative and use our imagination can bring unexpected and much needed joy to our lives otherwise filled with far more serious things. It might be as simple as diving into a book or a movie that takes us away from reality for a moment, it might be dancing to a song while no one is looking, it might be daring to try something new, or letting go of negative thoughts that sink us like anchors and dreaming big instead. Life is brighter if we remember to dream and laugh and play despite our circumstance.

Who knew there was so much to learn from Mary Poppins and her pesky showtunes! If you saw the movie and loved it let me know what was your favourite part!

In case I have motivated you to go and watch the movie now – here is the link to the iTunes download! I for one am glad that we now have it in our collection. I hope you enjoy it! Just don’t blame me for those showtunes hanging around for days!