Sunday, December 14, 2008

So, Here's The Thing

Emily has a new CD of Disney 'princess' songs. They have all been updated to a modern music style with new artists and when I first heard the CD, frankly, I was disappointed. I was expecting to hear the songs by the original artist in the original style, if you will.

Then, as Amy and I were walking through the floral department of a local grocery store I spied a cute pink Christmas tree balloon with all the Disney princesses pictured. I commented something along the lines of 'oh, Jazmine would just love that balloon' to which Amy replied, "What? Is she going to be programmed too?"

Huh?

We chatted about this for a moment and I let my thoughts go after that because, first we were interrupted and second, I've been busy with work, holiday preparations (small, but nice) and Emily's hectic but fun schedule.

Back to the CD.

Yesterday Emily and I were driving to Maine to meet my sister and brother-in-law half-way between our homes. It's only an hour or drive and although we don't do this every year, it is kind of different on the years we do. We meet at the rest area in Kennebunk, share our holiday meal of Burger King or Popeye Chicken, maybe a cup of Starbucks and then transfer gifts from car to car out in the parking lot. The entire holiday lasts about an hour!

I digress.

I am driving, Emily is choosing a CD. She chooses the Disney princess CD. Pops it in the player and the first song begins to fill the car. I know you. I've waltzed with you once upon a dream. I know you. The gleam in your eye is so familiar a gleam. Well, my brain got going again and I began to have these rambling thoughts about Disney ... and then dreams ... and well, they've been circling my mind now for about twenty-four hours.

Dreams really can (and do) come true. How?

Everyone should dream. If you can't dream about your future life, your desires, what do you have to look forward to?

At what age do dreams become attainable goals? And what allows us to make the change from dream to attainable goal or perhaps even challenge?

When we stop to realize we are living our dream, is it the same dream we started out with? Or has it changed to meet our daily lives, our finances, our values?

Is there a point when we study ourselves closely enough that we choose to feel life is a disappointment because we didn't reach the goal our dreams presented or worse, do we think of ourselves as failures because we didn't meet our own expectations to get to our dream?

Are women really dependent on men in part, because of Disney movies that present female characters as weaker than men? Vapid and fluttery? Unable to reach a goal on their own?

Yeah, I know. Merry Christmas.

10 comments:

Lisa :-] said...

Well, I have to say, I am currently living the only realistic dream I ever dreamed of living (like, I might have dreamed I'd be rich and famous, but we all know what happens to those dreams.)

So, though I feel maybe my dream wasn't as huge as it could have been, I'm not hatin' being in the middle of it...

Muhd Imran said...

Good point. Most probably yes. Women are being programmed to traditional dependancy on men.

Only mothers can break that tradition without breaking up the family. Men are tradtionally suppose to protect women and bring home the bacon too.

No two extremes is a good place to be, I think, but this human legacy is so debatable and will be for a very long time into the future.

Lori @ Purple Snapdragons said...

Something I wonder about all the time myself. Still have at least part of the dreams, but haven't figured out how to get there. Maybe it's about keeping the hope alive and taking baby steps?

Debra said...

wow, so much to comment on, where do i start? i'll start at the end, cuz it's the most recent thing on my mind. yes, Yes, and YES. guys say they don't want vapidity and all the rest, but in reality, i think most are threatened by anything but. and most women cannot live their lives without 'needing' a man to be present. maybe i'm jaded at the moment, but i'm pretty sure those are my thoughts even when i'm not being bitchy. grins, debra (ps. mailing you a package today)

MyMaracas said...

Disney may still be romanticizing the role of the subservient woman, but I worry more about the TV/media portrayals of women as snarling, lewd, and violent. It's hard to find role models in the middle ground.

As for big dreams, men and women alike usually let them go when they conflict with the realities of supporting a family. Dreams have a better chance when the couple shares them, and almost no chance at all if it's only his or hers.

A dream can be a great motivator, or it can be a source of endless dissatisfaction. Somebody wise once said that happiness isn't in getting what you want, it's in wanting what you have.

(I don't seem to have a unifying point here, do I?)

Lori @ Purple Snapdragons said...

Wishing you and yours a very happy holiday!!

And many belated b'day wishes to Emily!!

Muhd Imran said...

It's Christmas Day now in Singapore.

Merry Christmas to you and family.

DesLily said...

Merry Christmas Kathy!.. I hope you have a wonderful holiday..
wishing you a happy and healthy New Year to come!

Astaryth said...

Just popping in to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas! I hope it is filled with family, food, and fun!

Aimee said...

*applauds* I love when you start conversations Momma Bear! Especially when they are based around socio-political issues which get my blood pumping... Maybe I'll write about my take on our conversation... Maybe if I have time in between trying to get this internship and other things done...
LOVE YOU!