Life lessons that Pocahontas taught us
As little Kiki, I sat behind the TV with goosebumps. I don't think Disney has ever made a movie where everything came together for me like this. I closed my eyes when Pocahontas went to Grandmother Willow. Breathed deeply. Felt the leaves almost circling around me. A true story about the war between Indians and settlers. An impossible love.
Pocahontas. I learned so much from her...
Look beyond your nose and be open to the experiences of others
‘You only really call people people when they are exactly like you... But step into the shoes of a stranger. And then you learn so much in an instant.’ It’s a lyric that has always stuck with me. Language barriers, color, race, and age are trivial in matters of the heart. Immersing yourself in another culture can add countless new perspectives to your existence and make you a richer person.
Follow your heart and do what you love to do
‘Que que na-to-ra. Become aware of it. Listen with your heart. Feel the same peace...’ said Grandmother Willow to a confused Pocahontas. Listening with your heart: it is an art. Take your time, pause, and feel how you feel. When we face important decisions (whether it’s about love or life in general), our heart and mind can come into conflict. Set aside rationality and logic and listen to your intuition: your heart.
Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one
What your heart wants may not always be the easy way, but if you choose to walk that path, you will feel: it is worth it. It’s a bit unfortunate that we are not all equipped with a compass that literally points us in the right direction, but by being still, the greatest answers often bubble up on their own. You are your own compass, as long as you take the time to listen. Ugh... Grandmother Willow serves one wise lesson after another.
Avoid materialism
‘You think the land you end up in is yours. You strip the Earth bare like a vulture
But I know: every rock and tree, every being has a soul, has a life, has a language.’
Pocahontas reminds John Smith to avoid Western materialistic pursuits and instead enjoy the simpler things in life, like nature. In nature, she sees wealth all around her and advises John to ‘for once not ask what they are worth.’
Be brave
Pocahontas stands up for what she believes in by saving John Smith's life. Because she knows he is a good man, despite the fact that he ‘belongs to the enemy.’ Sometimes doing the right thing can set you apart from the crowd, but if you stay true to your beliefs, you will eventually reap the rewards. Standing up for what you believe in takes courage, but it is so important.
Embrace change
Pocahontas's father asks her to become stable, just like the river. The longer she thinks about it, the more she concludes that the river is anything but stable. Just like the ever-flowing water in a river, life is all about changes. Change is the only constant in life. We are constantly changing, from birth to death. We go in and out of different life stages. As the years go by, experience shapes your personality and character. If you refuse to change, you will never grow and it will always be difficult to adapt to new environments.
Follow the rhythm of your own drum
What I have always found admirable about Pocahontas is that she chooses the less traveled path. Her fate has already been determined by her father (to marry Kocoum and lead a stable life). In a chaotic world, stability may seem safe and comfortable, but it is everything her heart screams no to deep down. Kocoum is so curt and serious. Although Pocahontas wants to please her father, she knows that her life is ultimately her own life. She must make her own decisions and choose her own path.
