In Frozen, Elsa, the series' protagonist, is taught by her parents to suppress her magical ice powers which seem to be tied to her emotions. "Conceal, don't feel." her parents said. Ultimately, she finds she has everything she needs within her to save her kingdom; with the help of her friends of course. When she allows herself to tap into her emotions and let go of her past, she finds she can create snow flurries, weapons such as spikes, ice-powered projectile blasts, freeze things, run on water (without shoes of course), erect ice palace fortresses, and she can even bestow life upon inanimate objects. Across multiple viewings of Frozen, I began to wonder what parts of her personality Elsa's creations, Olaf and his counterpart Marshmallow (The palace guard snow-monster), may symbolize. In Frozen, we met Olaf, having been literally born yesterday, and presenting with a child-like innocence and curiosity about the world. In Frozen 2, we find a maturing Olaf (now protected by a layer of permafrost), and I could imagine the story-writers asking the tough question, namely: "What would happen if you gave a snow-man sentience, and then he didn't melt after the Summer?" To quote Olaf as he struggles with this, he asks us, "Do you ever worry about the notion that nothing is permanent?" Olaf thinks aloud about issues relating to existence, meaning, and permanence. The really cool thing about watching Olaf as he grapples with these adult themes is his ability to positively reframe them throughout Frozen 2. Instead of descending into boggy gloom, Olaf shows us another way. He appreciates the beauty around him and finds the silver lining amongst the clouds. During dark times, he smiles as he sings to himself, "This will all make sense when I'm older!" I laughed-out-loud as Olaf shared his theories about cucumbers and, "advancing-technologies as both our savior and our doom." And, his endearing obsession with trivia frequently prompted me to Google search his claims, such as turtles being able to breathe through their butts. Apparently, that is true! So, if you need something uplifting to watch during this trying time, my recommendation is Frozen 2. If you did not see it when it premiered in theaters, I'm so sorry about the spoilers. I hope you watch it anyways.
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Bravely, Hari points to how we have lost our way as a society, and become disconnected from each other and the values that matter most to us. He shines a light on a society's attempts to address the symptoms, but not the root causes of depression. This book goes on to tell me that we need our depression the way we need nausea to tell us that something is very wrong with the way we are living our lives today. Hari outlines 9 ways in which we have become disconnected from what truly matters most to us. Some of the causes for disconnections named in the book include disconnections from people, meaningful work, meaningful values, status, respect, nature, hopefulness, and a secure future. Hari also devotes chapters to disconnections related to past traumas, and the role our genetics and changing brains play in our depression. Ever the optimist, Hari does not merely halt upon informing us what he has gone wrong, but he goes on to say more about what we may actually do about it; collectively as a people that is. Part III of the book uses compelling story-telling and anecdotes to illustrate how the different people he met in his travels have successfully established meaningful connections with other people. Hari asserts that reconnection requires reaching out to others, but also accepting help from the people who wish to help you. He makes an argument for recognizing the connection between self and others, and that perhaps the things we have been trained by culture to value may actually be the least valuable things we have. Hari's writing is both approachable and enlightening. I felt like I was sitting across from a friend just returning from his round-the-world-trip, and enthusiastic to tell me all about it. Hari has brought to light some things that I think will require me to read more deeply over the months to come before I ultimately decide how I feel about them. At any rate, it was refreshing to read such an optimistic take on depression and how we might take action toward social change. |
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