Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Why "Let It Go" is My Life Anthem

It's not a secret that I have become obsessed with the Disney movie Frozen. I've seen it three times now, and there's a possibility of my seeing it a fourth time this weekend. I just can't get enough of it. But you know, after all, I am a Disney character.

And yes, I'm going to reference that blog post as often as I can so Disney can notice and finally make a movie about me.

One of the main reasons I love Frozen, and I'm sure it's the same for so many other people, is the song "Let it Go."

This song has become my anthem. Whenever I'm driving around and it comes on my iPod I turn up the volume and belt, pretending that I'm Idina Menzel. Which happens often... I'm looking at you "Defying Gravity" (Wicked) and "Over the Moon" (Rent).


While, deep down, I really am like Anna. Younger sister, I would always bug my sister early on Saturday mornings to come out and play, I'm socially awkward, etc. there was still something that made me really connect to Elsa.

Elsa had this fantastic power, but it could be dangerous too. Growing up she always felt like she had to hide away and keep it in. She needed to control her power.

I've always felt like I needed to be perfect. I needed to be the good girl. Put on a smile and be strong. I don't think anyone ever pressured me to do so, it was something I did to myself. Then, when I was in college studying to be a youth minister and then going into youth ministry, I put even more pressure on myself to be this way. Be a good influence, don't mess up, have it together for the teenagers, have a smile and be confident for the parents, etc.

Now, these are all good things, and they are important. Especially when you are in charage of kids and teenagers and you need their parents to trust you. And you need them to trust you as well.

However, I also found myself not always being me. Not letting people see who I really was. Those who I knew for a long time and were close to me saw the real me - to an extent. But I still always felt like I had to be perfect. Especially when I was doubting if minstry was my real calling in life and after I had told my senior pastor I was leaving. For months I couldn't tell anyone what I was planning to do. I remember my last big trip, the National Youth Gathering, in July. There were so many emotions and thoughts going through my mind and I wanted to really treasure this last big event with the high school students, but I couldn't tell anyone about it.



But then, Elsa can let it go. When she runs away and leaves it behind, she can finally explore all that she can do. She doesn't have to be the perfect little girl anymore. She can be free to let everything out.

When I saw that scene in the movie, I instantly could relate. It was the last couple weeks of my days as a youth minister, and I could feel the relief Elsa had. I could finally let it go.

Granted, this was a pressure I put on myself for the most part. It wasn't like someone was telling me that I couldn't be me or my church was making me like this. So PLEASE don't take this as me blaming youth ministry or the church or anything. For some reason, I always felt as though I had to be this way. Sometimes, yes, there were moments when ministry and people in the Church (in general, not just the one I was working at) enforced this, but it really came from myself. There's something in me that has always wanted to be a people pleaser and not to disapoint everyone. Which can be a good thing, but also a bad thing.

But now, I feel like I can let it go like Elsa did. The past is behind me and I can only move forward. I'm finally giving myself permission to not worry about what other people think all of the time. I love the line of "It's funny how some distance makes everything seem small, and the fears that once controlled me don't get to me at all." Because it's true. It's funny how everything I was worried about before is gone and I don't think about those problems anymore. The only one whose opinion matters really is God's.

Then she sings "It's time to see what I can do, to test the limits and break through."

Now, I feel like I can really spread my wings. Take risks and chances I wouldn't have before. To really be a renissance woman and try everything. 

Also- I moved back to Chicago for the coldest winter ever. Such an Elsa thing to do, isnt it?

Source

And in case you want to sing along with me...




Are there any songs or characters that you've really connected with? 

Glossy Blonde

18 comments:

  1. I haven't seen this movie yet - why aren't you here to go with me?

    ReplyDelete
  2. BEST MOVIE EVER!!! My daughter puts on a "cape"and runs around being Elsa and singing "Let it go"! I am so glad that you are able to "Let it go" and be free from pressure even if it was self pressure. I know whatever you end up doing you will be awesome at it but don't let yourself have unhealthy pressure :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's so fantastic! I love that kids are able to have princesses like Elsa and Anna. While I LOVE the princesses I grew up with, it's awesome kids today get to have these new ones to look up to. And yeah, it's good to let it all go.

      Delete
  3. I saw the video for Let it Go way before I saw the movie and it so resonated with me even without the context and I couldn't stop singing. I grew up a people pleaser who I still am. Plus this song is also a hymn for every LGBTQ person because if this can't be related to coming out then I don't know what can. Just LOVE the song and the movie!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. i loved frozen! when it comes out on BluRay we're definitely going to get it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. dammit, hit publish too soon.

    i also meant to add that no matter what you do at whatever age you are, there will always be those who judge you. and what i learned a long time ago is that their words only have power over you/your actions/thoughts IF YOU GIVE THEM POWER.

    kathy
    Vodka and Soda

    ReplyDelete
  6. I just saw this movie last weekend. I loved it!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. ah still haven't seen this movie, but heard it's awesome!
    -- jackie - jade and oak

    ReplyDelete
  8. Such a great movie I agree, plus the soundtrack blows me away still! Have you seen the parody version or 25 language version yet? One will have you in tears laughing and the other is so beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've seen the 25 language one and it was beautiful! I need to see the paradoy sitll though!

      Delete
  9. I was glad we saw that movie together!! It was so good. I know what you mean having the pressure to feel like you need to be perfect. I felt that same way for a long time. Letting go and just being yourself is so freeing. That's why I liked Elsa too. :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow, this is an amazing post. I can't believe how inspirational this movie has been for you. Stunning. Personally, I LOVE the movie. It is so awesome. It sends so many wonderful messages and it does help people. I mean look at you! This is your movie, your song, your story. You too will have a happy ending with whatever you end up doing. All decisions will work out in the end :) Love the song and Idina is perfection.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! And yeah, I was surprised too when I first saw it. I knew I'd probably like it, but I had no idea how much I would connect. And yes - Idina is perfection! I love her!

      Delete
  11. Yes! I just watched Frozen (WAY behind the times) and yes. That song is striking. I mean it's a great tune, of course, but the content. I laughed when I watched the film and heard the song for the first time (because, not having watched the movie, I didn't bother with all of the subsequent hype), because I understood. I understood Elsa's pain and her elation.

    You summed it up, here, perfectly. Well played. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't it such a great song? And it makes me happy that you held out to watch the movie. I was totally all part of the hype, but I saw it kinda early on so the hype didn't kill it for me. So I think sometimes waiting to watch it is good because then everyone is kinda over it and you can enjoy it.

      Delete
  12. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete

Share with me your thoughts! They make me smile.