We are all Moana. Strong and courageous individuals, with that “Moana” vibe deep within us. Sometimes it’s not so clear. I had an ah-ha moment recently which reminded me just how much strength and courage I do have.
Do you ever need a moment? A small glimpse of who you are? Who you truly are? We are given all sorts of moments, every day. But, are we aware of them? Take watching a movie for instance. Maybe, a movie you’ve seen 764 times!!!
I have a 20-month-old. And she LOVES Moana, which is a children’s movie about a courageous girl on a mission to save her people, and along the way she discovers her own strength and identity.
While watching it with my daughter today, I had a moment. A moment where I was paying attention to the message and not just the movie.
If you haven’t seen Moana – First, I recommend doing so, kids or no kids.
There is a song towards the end when she realizes her true potential and the lyrics are some of the most powerful words I have ever heard. These lyrics took me to a profound moment and gave me a glimpse of myself and helped me to remember how strong I am. It also gave me an understanding that we are all Moana and we all just need the courage to actually be who we are meant to be. To find our truth, and follow it.
The song is titled “I Am Moana” and here is what it taught me:
Moana Lyric + Lesson:
{Moana’s Grandmother singing to her}“I know a girl from an island, She stands apart from the crowd, She loves the sea and her people, She makes her whole family proud.”
This brought to mind for me we all come from somewhere. We are all beautiful, unique and diverse individuals and we have different backgrounds and traditions. We all have a purpose and reason for being here. We all have a gift and a voice to share with the world. No matter what we do, we should have the courage to do it with purpose and reverence.
Moana Lyric + Lesson
“Sometimes the world seems against you. The journey may leave a scar, but scars can heal and reveal just where you are.”
We all fall. We may get hurt. All of these encounters throughout our journey are stepping stones and lessons in life. These circumstances and experiences do not define who we are. They mold, shape, and strengthen us into who we really are. Also, sometimes in the moment while going through things we think are unfavorable, we later come to realize, is what brought us to a defining moment.
Moana Lyric + Lesson
“The people you love will change you. The things you have learned will guide you.”
Once we are able to see around the ‘problem’, knowing that we are guiding ourselves, we can experience an appreciation for the lesson and the people around us.
Moana Lyric + Lesson
“And nothing on earth can silence the quiet voice still inside you, and when that voice starts to whisper. Moana, you’ve come so far. Moana, listen, Do you know who you are?”
Our inner voice, true self, gut, connection to God or the Universe, whatever you want to call it. It’s always there. Attempting to guide us. You can try to ignore it, but it will never go away. It’s who we are. It’s our truth. We have to listen for the whisper. Feel all the feelings. Inside of us, we all have a voice that knows who we are. What our unique purpose is. The voice that keeps calling out for us. It is up to us to hear that voice, the voice of our true self and have the audacity to answer.
Moana Lyric + Lesson
At this point, Moana begins contemplating the questions posed to her by her Grandmother: “Who am I? I am a girl who loves my island, I’m the girl who loves the sea, It calls me.”
So, who are you? Who and what do you love? What is calling you? What is it that you want and why? You are the only one that can answer those questions.
Moana Lyric + Lesson
“I am the daughter of the village chief. We are descended from voyagers. Who found their way across the world. They call me. I’ve delivered us to where we are. I have journeyed farther. I am everything I’ve learned and more. Still, it calls me.”
This is a realization of self and fearlessly taking credit for our own life experiences. We are all creators of our own reality and we all feel a calling of some sort. Some of us realize our potential earlier than others, but we all have the same potential. To be who we are meant to be and to share with the world the gifts of who we are.
Moana Lyric + Lesson
“And the call isn’t out there at all, it’s inside me! It’s like the tide; always falling and rising! I will carry you here in my heart you’ll remind me, that come what may, I know the way, I am Moana.”
This is the part of the movie that brings on my ugly cry! Seriously though, for the greater part of my adult life, I have been looking everywhere for my path, my calling, what it is that I am supposed to do with my life. Who I am to the world. I’ve looked high and low, here and there, tried different careers and hobbies and to be frank they were all just distractions. Anything I could do to keep myself from actually looking within because that is where all of the answers are. Inside. This can be a scary thing to do, especially in today’s world that is filled with distractions. All it really takes is the determination to do it.
Try sitting still for 10 minutes, in complete silence, no music, no phone, no kids, no husband. This is when you can let go, surrender to who you are and hear your own voice. One of strength and courage. Feel the sometimes overwhelming emotion. This is the work, and I do it daily, and it has taken me down a path of unimaginable personal growth and self-empowerment. It helps me be a better Me, a better Wife, a better Mom, a better human being.
Just like the song says, “It’s like the tide, always falling and rising.” Life has ups and downs, and there are circumstances that happen around us, but they do not define us. If we continue to go back to our heart and soul, we can remind ourselves that no matter what, we know who we are and we know the way.
What gives you strength and courage?
