Always Express How You Feel:
“No matter how you feel always share it, don’t keep it inside or you may explode like Anger”, says my sweet boy. I love little nuggets of 9 year old wisdom! There’s was one point in the movie where Riley’s parents kept asking her what was wrong, how could they help, what could they do? They were met by stone cold silence followed by an Anger eruption. Riley couldn’t put into words what she was feeling and rather than try she stormed off to her room. What was going on inside her head? As it turns out Joy had left to save her core memories and without Joy she was only left with the emotions of Sadness, Anger, Disgust, and Fear. Joy was trying so hard to protect Riley from experiencing any other emotions that when she left it was hard for Riley to process what was happening. Don’t keep your feelings bottled up inside, let them out and talk them through with someone you love!
Face Your Fears:
Fear can keep you from accomplishing great things. In the movie Fear has constant panic attacks trying to protect Riley from falling, having nightmares, or being scared. Let go of the things that hold you back and put your best foot forward as you climb the mountain of being the best you!
Never Stop Using Your Imagination:
Riley had personality islands that held her core memories and on one of those islands lived a mostly cotton candy creature named Bing Bong! Riley’s imagination created Bing Bong and he reminisces with Joy on how much fun he and Riley used to have when she was little. Bing Bong was on the verge of being forgotten and erased from Riley’s core memory because as she grew her imagination began to fade away. Never stop using your imagination! Give yourself the okay to hop on the train of thought and daydream, think big, and get lost imagining!
Stay True To Who You Are:
Riley loved ice hockey and was a great player. She almost missed the great opportunity to play in her new hometown because she found herself in a circle of sadness. It’s okay to experience moments of Sadness, Fear, Disgust and Anger and to step outside of the circle. Stay true to who you are and the things that you love no matter where you are! In the end Riley found her love of ice hockey and made great friends in her new hometown despite all the emotions that she was experiencing.
Make Memories:
The islands of personality are created by Riley’s core memories! The memories with long lasting effects created family, goofball, hockey, honesty, and friendship islands! They were built and ran on memories! These islands made up her personality and with each memory that was created another part of the island was built! What are your personalty islands? What memories make you who you are? We are on a mission to take time to make memories in most all that we do!
In the end Joy realized that in good times and bad, in the happy and sad moments that Riley had people who loved her and were there for her no matter what! During one family hug Riley experiences sadness over fond memories of her old home and Joy that she was with her family that she loves so much. Having a balance to the emotions that we feel is okay and healthy!
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