There's something special about musicals. Maybe it's the intriguing plot that takes you to another world or the gorgeous music that sweeps the listener off their feet. For me, it's the lessons that can be pulled from beneath the surface and applied to my everyday life. Here are a few of my favorite lessons I have learned from musicals.
1. Love Can Change Everything
"To love another person is to see the face of God." ~ Les Miserables
Whether it's the love between mother and child, husband and wife, man and country or man and God, Love is powerful. It can be a complete game changer that gives us the courage to make it through life, no matter how hard it is, or how hard we have to work.
2. We Are Responsible For How We Live Our Lives
"This wounded face holds no horror for me now, it's in your soul that the true distortion lies" ~ Phantom of the Opera
Sometimes circumstances aren't favorable. Whether it's the background we come from, our appearance, or some other factor, we can't blame that for how our lives turn out, whether for the better or for the worse. We can either chose to complain and mope about our circumstances, or come back and work our hardest to get as far as we can.
3. Stand Up For What You Believe in
"It's time to close my eyes and leap, maybe I'll try defying gravity." ~Wicked
Sometimes the majority is wrong. In times like those, it's important to know when to put your foot down and stand up for yourself and what you believe in. It doesn't have to be a big, life-changing movement, but it can make you more confident in yourself and in the world around you
4. Don't Settle For Less Than you Deserve
"Please sir, can I have some more?" ~ Oliver!
Sometimes you draw the short string in life. In these times, it's important to never give up and to never settle. You are an amazing human being with your own life story to get you to the point you are now. Don't settle for things that are beneath you.
5. Don't Let Jealousy Ruin Your Life
"Christine, Christine, ALWAYS Christine." ~ Love Never Dies
While sometimes it's hard to see anything other than what people have that you don't. However that jealousy, if you let it fester, it will only grow and grow, consuming you until that's all you see and all you think about, ruining relationships with others and with yourself.
6. Everything Happens for a Reason
"For I know I shall find, my own peace of mind, for I have been promised a land of my own." ~Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
When it seems like life can't get any worse, there's always a silver lining. Maybe that silver lining isn't visible right now, maybe it'll take things getting a lot worse until that silver lining shows itself, but it'll always play out the way it's supposed to.
7. Listen to Others
"It's so easy to leave me, all alone with the memory, of my days in the sun. If you touch me, you'll understand what happiness is" ~Cats
Sometimes the people who need to be listened to the most are the ones who are rejected by society. Everyone deserves a chance to be heard and to make their point known. Learning from other people's mistakes as well as their life choices and stories, can make you a better, more well-rounded person.
8. Don't Dwell On the Past
"The past can hurt, but you can either run from it or learn from it." ~ The Lion King
Let's face it. The past is the past. There's nothing you can do to change it, so might as well take what you have and learn from it. Sure it's important to remember the past, but you can't let it consume you.
9. Stay Optimistic
"The sun will come out tomorrow" ~Annie
When you're down in the dumps, sometimes it can seem like there's no end to the doom and gloom in sight. However, sitting and feeling sorry for yourself won't help you feel any better. By staying optimistic, life can seem a little bit brighter.
10. It's Okay to Be Different
"Let your freak flag wave, let your freak flag fly" ~Shrek the Musical
Bottling up who you really are isn't healthy...or very fun. Accept that differences are a part of life, and a part of what makes you, you. Our differences and our uniqueness makes us special, and helps us to appreciate others talents and abilities.
11. You Can Always Come Home
"Home, we're coming home again" ~ American Idiot
Sometimes life gets rough. Between the stress of trying to balance work, school, social life, and everything else we need in life, we can get caught up in a rush. Sometimes what's necessary is to slow down, take a break and take a needed trip home. With spring break around the corner, this is at the front of everyone's mind. There truly is no place like home.
