LIFE LESSONS FROM MARY POPPINS

There are so many life lessons that we can learn from the new Mary Poppins Returns . Not only life lessons but also some self-care lessons. The reality is that her lessons extend far beyond childhood and we could all stand to implement some of these on into adulthood.

This past week my family and I sat down at dinner to watch the new Mary Poppins. Every other Friday we have a family movie night. It's a fun way for us to spend time together on occasion. This is not our first time watching it. In fact, after the 1st time we loved the music so much that we ended up buying the Soundtrack. My kids know the song back and forth; better than I know these songs.

In one of my favorite scenes Mary Poppins is trying to give the children a bath and they don't want to take a bath. She begins intriguing them by singing a song similar to the one in the original “ A Spoonful of Sugar” scene. The song is titled “ Can You Imagine That’ and the some of the key lyrics are as follows :

Some people like to splash and play

Can you imagine that?

And take a seaside holiday

Can you imagine that?

Too much glee leaves rings around the brain

Take that joy and send it down the drain

Some people like to laugh at life

And giggle through the day

They think the world's a brand new shiny toy

And if while dreaming in the clouds

They fall and go ker-splat

Although they're down and bent in half

They brush right off and start to laugh

Can you imagine that?

There so many rich lessons we can learn from these lyrics. Mary Poppins challenges us to some fun, youthful and carefree living . She challenges us to be intentional on taking holidays and to experience GLEE in life. GLEE!!!! Seriously ? Who even speaks like that any more?

We live in a culture that says glee is foolish and we should hunker down and work hard around the clock. Whether it be in a 9-5 or as a stay at home mom.

Secondly, we see her challenging us to DAYDREAM . How often do you find your head in the clouds ladies? Me? Pretty close to never.

Is this really a bad thing? The fact of the matter is that often as adults we forget to dream.

Even further Mary Poppins draws on that person that we all want to be . You know? The one that has the ability to LAUGH AT LIFE!!!! Yes, even when you get knocked down. Some people have a carefree sense of humor to themselves and it is critical that we develop this in life to get us through those challenges in life that ‘knock us down’.

In the second stanza Mary Poppins sings :

Some answer when adventure calls

Can you imagine that?

And sail straight over waterfalls

Can you imagine that?

They see living as its own reward

(Ahoy!)

They rock the boat, then -

(Man overboard!)

Some people look out on the sea

And see a brand new day

Their spirit lifts them high above the blue

Yet others spear an anchor

And they sink in seconds flat

So, perhaps we've learned when day is done

Some stuff and nonsense could be fun!

Can you imagine that?

Some answer when adventure call!!! When was the last time adventure called you friend? We can often assume that Adulting means NO ADVENTURED. Even more so that adventures can’t happen once you have children and that will then become a reserve for when you are an empty-nester. NON-SENSE ! According to Mary Poppins we all need adventure in our life and that my friend can be a tool to spark wonder in our own children. GO! SEEK ADVENTURE! Even if you can’t travel the globe , find an adventure in your own town or city that you can bring your children along while you practice “ lifting your spirits high above the blue “ as Mary Poppins says it best . Let’s begin to “ See living as it’s own reward”. What a wise woman!

In closing I leave you with the last lyrics of the song “ Yet others fear an anchor

And they sink in seconds flat. So, perhaps we've learned when day is done

Some stuff and nonsense could be fun! Can you imagine that?”

What do you fear sweet mama friend? What is the ‘ anchor ‘ that is sinking you in this life in seconds flat? Let us perhaps learn that when day is done some ‘ stuff and nonsense could be fun’ .

We only live once Mama friends , lets live with glee!

#seekadventure #laughatlife #daydream #abundantmotherhood