Character

We are Disney Parks people. We love the nostalgia. We enjoy the rides, both thrill and silly kid ones. We bask in the atmosphere changes to the different areas. We cry during the light shows and the fireworks over the castle. We cheerily relax as we watch the parades. And we absolutely geek out over meeting the Disney Characters! Yes, we know they are actors. But we still enjoy it and are always amazed at how some seem to remember us from earlier interactions. We love how unique they all are and how well they create magic.

The thing about Disney is, that you either seem to love it or you are stressed out and hate it. The magic is a choice. There are realities about either Disney World or Disneyland that can absolutely make you feel miserable. It will probably be hot, you will most likely walk very far and be on your feet all day, there may be massive amounts of people, and the food is going to be expensive.

We have had moments in Disney where we questioned ourselves, but we always worked together to find the magic again. For us, it’s about spending time together. It’s about making a magical for our family and those around us. It’s about working together to do what everyone wants. It’s about time together as a family where we only worry about being with each other.

In class this week we learned a lot about success and happiness and how to think about money. One of my favorite parts of the lesson talked about character. Did you know the word “character” comes from the Greek word “charassein”, which means to engrave, sharpen, or cut furrows in. We are more often known by our actions, so it is important to distinguish between quick fixes and what can bring true happiness. Shakespeare said, “ Things won are done, there is joy in doing.” When we are given money we treat it vastly different than money we work hard to earn.

We were encouraged not to allow impulses to distract us from the truth. Working to earn money to live is essential for pretty much everyone. This means, balancing work and family is something everyone has to figure out! The way you view money is integral in understanding what is important to you. Is it something to simply pay bills with? Is it a way to gain importance? Is it a way to help others? Know what is most important and set standards and practices ahead of time. It is a dynamic expression that is constantly changing. Every family has different abilities. Every person within a family has different needs!

The overlying message was this. You choose your character. You choose your priorities. You choose your magic. You have to be passionate enough about something in order for it to be worth it, but you also have to understand what can bring true happiness. Part of our class was listening to the words of Entrepreneur Cory Bell. He said, “Everything is possible if you want it.”