Postcards from the Funny Farm

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe via -or-

Looking at the life of Walt Disney has two polar effects on me: On one hand, I am inspired by his greatness. He came from humble beginnings and rose to amazing heights with no special help or financial benefactor. On the other hand, I feel frustrated at my age to not have even come close to what he had done at the same. When there are two choices the best effect is the effect of inspiration. I’m writing about Walt tonight to inspire you, as well as myself. Most writers know that writing changes the writer as well as the reader.

Here’s a guy who joined the military before he was legal: age 16. He spent time in France driving an ambulance. Was he thinking about Mickey Mouse then? I’ll bet he was. I’m thinking about my blog, my classroom, my music, all the time. thinking about things in a positive way makes good things happen. Walt proved that. By the time the unprecedented multi-million dollar budgeted “Snow White” came out, Disney was already doubling and tripling his blood sweat and tears investments. Walt said: “Do a lot for a little while you’re young and when you’re older you’ll get a lot for doing a little.”

If you’ve ever been to Disneyland or another theme park you know that it is a CULTURE of people walking in droves from ride to ride. What Disney has done is more than a business model, it’s a life model for self-defined success. This world is short on leaders so be like Disney, if you see something that would be cool to do . . . DO IT. You will find that many will follow you. Walt taught us that. Disney is now a billion dollar company and will continue to be as the board of directors seek to keep Walt’s dream alive.

So what are the key take-aways from old frozen Walt (some may know he is cryogenically frozen)? Though he is gone, his life’s vision keeps “reloading” again and again and again:

1. Follow your dreams
2. Laugh and the world laughs with you
3. Do something for children in your life.
4. Be true to your vision
5. Be excited and then FOSTER MORE excitement.
6. Don’t let the naysayers take your energy.
7. Remember your mortality (time is of the essence) -and-
8. Play

That’s what I get from this amazing man. For more info on him, just do a simple search of his name. There is a ton of info on him out there. I suppose this blog adds to that. I read about 3 biographies before sitting down to write this . . . after which I was obviously, inspired. Oh, and one last thing . . . never forget that you are human and he was human just like you. Don’t get discouraged if your life situation is down right now. You can be like Walt . . . you can be even better. But take a look at Walt’s life . . . “unfreeze him” for a bit (if you will) and I think you’ll find inspiration. I know I have.