Obi-Wan Kenobi

“May The 4th Be With You Always!”

Character lessons are back with on #StarWarsDay with our quiz winner David Cohen’s chosen character to be Obi Wan-Kenobi (Kenobi). To prepare yourself before reading these lessons from Kenobi, go do a Star Wars movie marathon or check out this nice summary.

Let’s take lessons from this character’s journey in a galaxy far far away:

Lesson # 1: Leadership

“Hello There!”- Obi-Wan Kenobi

“General Kenobi, You are a bold one!” – General Grievous

Obi-Wan Kenobi Figure Vs General Grievous Figure

Kenobi has had the experience of leadership in many different forms. This experience began when training Anakin Skywalker as his Jedi Padawan. Kenobi’s teaching style from Attack Of The Clones involved acknowledging Anakin’s errors to guide him on the right path which turned out to not be very helpful from Anakin’s view. Another example is in Revenge Of The Sith when he is leading the Republic’s clone army to hunt General Grievous on Utapau. While the clone army was trained to follow orders, Kenobi developed a friendship, trust and understanding with the Clone Commander Cody as seen through the animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars series which made that critical battle successful.

• As students who will one day lead our own team whether it’s a sport, project or even leading ourselves to achieve a goal. It is important to understand not only what skills you bring on a personal level but understand what motivates those around you

Lesson 2: Loyalty

“You must join me, Obi-Wan, and together we will destroy the Sith!”- Count Dooku

“I will never join you.” Obi-Wan Kenobi

Obi-Wan Kenobi Figure Battle Stance

Kenobi has been tested on numerous occasions to betray the Jedi Council in which he served. This was most prevalent when being tempted by Count Dooku who trained Kenobi’s former master Qui-Gon Jinn. Obi-Wan despite the corruption of the Senate, the Republic and his Padawan. Obi-Wan still stayed true to the Jedi and his Padawan/friend as seen by his protection of Luke Skywalker.

• As students, we will face difficult decisions that will have us turn our backs on our loved ones. It is in these moments, we must remember our purpose and how we would like to be treated. Loyalty is earned and can be kept so long as you continue to build trust.

Lesson 3: Point Of View

“Luke, you’re going to find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view.”- Obi-Wan (Ben) Kenobi

 

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Kenobi in his teachings of Anakin and conversations with the Jedi Council about Anakin were often conflicting perspectives. There were moments where Kenobi would show pride in his Padawan’s growth but also great concern over Anakin’s emotional control. Even as Kenobi got older, his perspective matured on Anakin’s seduction to the “Dark side” from seeing someone as totally lost to one who killed the light inside himself.

• As students, we are very quick to make judgements about our peers, professors, co-workers and family members. Often, we overlook that in a situation, every single one of us will have our own point of view on what is true. Understanding what your point of view is, comes from understanding what you value most. Take some time to reflect on what your beliefs and values are.

Bonus Lesson: Remember when facing a physical confrontation; always have the high ground!

Obi-Wan Kenobi Figure Flying Jedi Starfighter ship

Another Happy Character Lesson Post! Comment below what character you want to see next?

Finding True Love Guide from Disney Princesses

Today, Love is in the air but often as students we get very caught up in planning our futures that the time for finding “true love” is a challenge.

Yesterday, the Disney Princes offered their advice. Today, the Disney Princesses are here to offer tips that will have you singing:

Princess Snow White (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs):

Source: Giphy

           When finding your true love, it is important to have patience and never give up. The right person will be worth the wait even if it means spending today without a date.

Princess Cinderella (Cinderella):

Source: Giphy

           Wealth and fancy clothes are not important and its better to have a unique personality. However, make sure when you meet someone they will remember not just who you are on the inside but also on the outside to avoid losing slippers.

 

Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty):

Source: Giphy

           Meeting your potential date in a safe space with people you can trust nearby is smart. As she was sleeping, consent is a lesson that everyone should learn the importance of now and moving forward.

Princess Jasmine (Aladdin):

Source: Giphy

           There will be people you meet who will lie about their identity. Be very careful in how much trust you are willing to put in someone else.

 

 

Princess Belle (Beauty and The Beast):

Source: Giphy

         Finding true love involves looking for those with a good heart. Not just outside appearances. Also stay true to learning for yourself and achieving your own goals of being an educated, strong and kind person.

Princess Ariel (The Little Mermaid):

Source: Giphy

           When it comes to a relationship and true love, it should be about finding a compromise. You do not have to give up everything to be with someone including your home.

 

Fa Mulan (Mulan):

Source: Giphy

True love can be due to similar or different interests or gender. Love is about being with the special someone you care most about. Be careful about bringing your true love home, your family may want him to stay for dinner or forever.

Pocahontas (Pocahontas):

Source: Giphy

           Finding true love does not have to be “the people who look and think like you”. True love comes in all shapes, colours and personalities.

 

Princess Rapunzel (Tangled):

Source: Giphy

 “I have made the decision to trust you”- Rapunzel

“A horrible decision really”- Flynn (Eugene) Rider

Finding true love can happen at any moment. Be careful who you choose to trust because it is an important part of a relationship.

Princess Tiana (The Princess and The Frog):

Source: Giphy

           Choosing to focus on your career and dreams is admirable. Taking the time for yourself to enjoy social situations can be your key to true love.

Princess Merida (Brave):

Source: Giphy

“I’m shooting for my own hand!”.  When everyone thinks true love, they believe it leads to marriage. True love does not mean you need to be married to show it or be with that person.

 

Queen Elsa & Princess Anna (Frozen):

Source: Giphy

“You can’t marry a man you just met!”. True love is not always at first sight, take the time today and onward to learn more about your loved ones.

 

 

 

Moana (Moana):

Source: Giphy

           Finding true love does not have to mean a person. It can be finding what you are most passionate about and following through to success.

 

 

Final Word:

Which Disney Princess has taught you the most about love? Which Princess do you want to learn more from? Comment below!

Finding the New Dream Romance Guide from Disney Princes

           What is love? Yes, we all started singing that song every time that question is asked. From my perspective, love is like a dream come true. For students like you who have big dreams, why not make love one of them? Perhaps guidance from the Disney Princes can help:

The Prince (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)

Source: Giphy

Finding a similar interest like “singing” can help bring people together.

Prince Charming (Cinderella)

Source: Giphy

Are you tired of chasing after a potential love interest who really is like your ex? Look for one who is completely different and go introduce yourself; just make sure to get their name too.

 

 

Prince Phillip (Sleeping Beauty)

Source: Giphy

Falling for that special someone can happen in many unique places like a forest. So, go on an adventure and perhaps you will find love somewhere you don’t expect.

 

 

Prince Aladdin (Aladdin)

Source: Giphy

While finding a similar interest is nice, it also important to show an interest in finding out each other’s goals. Learning these goals can be the foundation of trust in a relationship.

 

Beast (Beauty and The Beast)

Source: Giphy

Having taken advice from my friends that when it comes to finding love you need to follow three words: Be bold, daring and gentle. Also, having a library helps.

 

Prince Eric (The Little Mermaid)

Source: Giphy

Always be curious because you never know what you might learn. If you found your true love, always be ready to learn and grow with them.

General Li Shang (Mulan)

Source: Giphy

A simple compliment and being there to support each other can show the one you love that you care.

 

John Smith (Pocahontas)

Source: Giphy

Planning where you will end up next can be difficult. Learning from each relationship you have had can help you become the best version of you.

Flynn Rider a.k.a Eugene (Tangled)

Source: Giphy

When you find “The One”, you just feel like you rather spend every moment with that person. They end up becoming your new dream; just remember to use the Smolder to get their attention.

Prince Naveen (The Princess and The Frog)

Source: Giphy

Partying and focusing on yourself will leave you missing the importance of a true connection that can be made. Learning responsibility and being selfless will prepare you for a relationship.

 

King Fergus (Brave):

Source: Giphy

As Merida’s father, I will tell you that love is important. You must also realize that when you get married, you marry the family too. So, build connections with them too.

Kristoff (Frozen):

Source: Giphy

Never marry someone you just met, like that is common sense. When you love someone, putting them before your self shows you both how much you care.

Maui (Moana):

Source: Giphy

Being alone can be both fun but also scary. Making friends can be the love you need in your life. That’s my advice, You’re Welcome!

Final Word:

Which Disney Prince’s advice will you take advice from when finding love on Valentine’s Day tomorrow? Is there one that you want to hear more from? Share your answers below!

General Li Shang

Character Lessons From Li Shang:

Dreamers, this new section will provide you with lessons you can learn from Disney characters. This week we look at Li Shang (Shang) form Disney’s Mulan; if you are unfamiliar with Shang, check out this link.

Lesson # 1: Be who you are, not what others expect you to be

In our first sight of Shang on-screen, he is a rising Captain with high expectations from family, friends and his community to be in command of an army. While he stuck with that career-path, he made the processes his own. Shang stuck to how he approached training new recruits (with music, singing and doing a workout). It is very unlikely that his father General Li led his army in the same way.

The lesson here is, just because something like training an army has always been done without music; that does not mean it’s what should be done. Follow your own path and approach to challenges.

Lesson 2: Trust

For Shang, trust is earned over time and not given immediately. When he first meets Fa Mulan, Shang did not trust her, or any of his soldiers, until they began to trust in his training and protect him in the face of danger.

The lesson is when building friendships, group projects or networking with professionals in your field, you need to be sure you can trust them to support you. Trust should not be given away freely, but when given, it can be the most rewarding feeling.

Lesson 3: I’ll make a hu-MAN out of you

Shang learns a valuable lesson about gender equality. Fa Mulan joined the army dressed like a man to save her father. As the film progresses, Shang finds out the truth, and is advised to kill her for breaking the law. Shang learns to show mercy to Fa Mulan. That was only the beginning, as Shang discovered that his high personal value of trust should not be limited to the men/soldiers he leads, but to anyone.

The lesson for you, my fellow students, is that as we enter today, gender is understood on a spectrum. With this new understanding, we need to be more accepting of other’s choices and respect other’s decisions. SO BE A HUMAN!

That’s all for today’s character lessons! Comment below if this was helpful and share what character you want to learn from next.

 

Pulling Our “Sword In The Stone”: 2019 Goal Setting Guide

As 2019 begins, so does the start of the second term. With second term starting, there will be new classes, professors and new classmates for you to meet. With that in mind, we will look at Disney’s The Sword In The Stone to guide us in setting goals for the new year.

Step 1: Dream Big, Act Now!

Disney’s Merlin from The Sword In The Stone Source: Leo A/ The Dreamer’s Disney Kingdom

           “Set your sights upon the heights, don’t be a mediocrity. Don’t just wait, and trust to Fate, and say that’s how it’s meant to be. It’s up to you how far you go, if you don’t try you’ll never know. And that my lad you must expect, unless you use your intellect.” – Merlin

When setting goals, we tend to believe that what is meant to happen will happen for us by letting fate decide for us. Being students surrounded by a wealth of knowledge and the intelligence to use it; we can plan out our next steps for the future we want to see.

There are many social movements such as #MeToo, #NoBanNoWall and #BlackLivesMatter that have continued to grow because of students like us who actively use social media and other platforms to help inspire change around the globe. So when planning goals for 2019, do not simply settle for deciding to go on a healthy diet. Use your intelligence, find your passion and make those dreams come true starting today.

Step 2: Share your knowledge and passion

“Just because you can’t understand something, it… it doesn’t mean it’s wrong!” – Arthur Pendragon

When setting goals for the future whether big or small, we students will run into those who refuse to believe that what we are doing is worthwhile. Like Arthur says, these individuals who tell us “no” may not understand why its important and the right action to take.

As students, who currently write essays, theses and presentations; we have the skills necessary to show others why our actions are justified. We can further enhance our reasoning with research that is well-cited and from reputable sources. If you are passionate about something enough, others will see it in the way you present it. So be mindful of both content of your 2019 goals and the way in which you share them.

Final Word:

Source: Leo A/ The Dreamer’s Disney Kingdom

Goal setting is a challenging aspect that as students is often intimidating with all of our responsibilities. Taking the time to plan your goals can help you and those around you achieve their goals too.

Pulling my sword/ goal for this blog in 2019 is to post twice a month and make each reader feel determined to succeed after learning lessons for their future.

What are your goals for 2019?

Leo A

#dreamerskingdom

#FindingYourSwordInTheStone

#2019Goals

We are one Big Ohana!

It’s December! Now the countdown to the holidays begins. This also likely means exams; sorry I had to say it, but the holidays are what we look forward to once we have conquered finals season.

During the holidays, some may decide you need a vacation to get out of the snow. Others are getting ready to spend this time with their family and the 100 questions they ask you about your future. Today, we will talk about the importance of family and Disney movies you should watch to feel the family love (Or watch with your family to distract them).

Disney’s The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride:

Source: Leo A/ The Dreamer’s Disney Kingdom

With the new trailer for the live action film coming in 2019, journeying back to The Pride Lands with Simba as he leads his own pride is a must especially if you watched the classic first.

This film shows us students that our family may try to protect us from the world but that is only because they love us. The song “We Are One” shows that our family is always there to support us even through the challenges.

 

 

Disney & Pixar’s The Incredibles:

Source: Leo A/ The Dreamer’s Disney Kingdom

Not all families are the average people who follow the norms of society. So why should we not let them be who they are.

As students, we may often get embarrassed by our family for showing up at screaming/cheering at events or watching you while your trying to talk to your crush (like seriously though). While we tend to say, “My family is crazy”, what we should really learn from this film is that deep down we would not change who our family is for the world. They are our superheroes who help us when we need it most.

Disney’s Tarzan:

Source: Leo A/ The Dreamer’s Disney Kingdom

Ever have that one song that just brings up all these tears of joy, that is me when I hear Phil Collins sing “You’ll be in my heart”.

As students, this film teaches us that what makes us family is not what’s on the outside but the love we have for each other in our hearts. This love is strong enough that we will stand up to defend those we care about.

 

Disney’s Lilo & Stitch:

“Ohana means family, family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.” –Stitch

Source: Leo A/ The Dreamer’s Disney Kingdom

Ending this list with my favorite and must watch family film to watch with your loved ones. This film also shows that any arguments you have with family that may want to keep you away from them this holiday season will only leave you with regrets.

As students, this film teaches us to forgive our loved ones and no matter where they are we should remember how much we love them.

Final Lesson:

This holiday season we must remember to cherish the loved ones we have in our lives. Whether its your special someone, sibling, aunts & uncles, grandparents and parents; they are our support system who wants to see us be successful. Wherever you are, your Ohana is behind you and you can overcome exams knowing that you are not alone.

Leo A

Thank You Nicole Lynn for the Blanket!           Source: Leo A/ The Dreamer’s Disney Kingdom

#dreamerskingdom

#OhanaMeansFamily

#WeAreOne

Disney’s Acquisitions: A Fine Addition To Your Collection!

Last week had the opportunity to put together the perfect movie list before travelling abroad. Now if travelling the world is not affordable, it does not mean that you will not be able to journey to new worlds.

All it requires is getting snacks, a nice refreshing beverage of your choice and either throwing in that Blu-ray disc or turn on Netflix… for now. Disney is creating its own streaming service called Disney + which is slated to release in 2019.

Until that happens, gather your friends or family to put your collections together and marathon these Disney acquisitions:

Marvel Studios:

Marvel films have taken many new perspectives in determining what is right and wrong. When we were kids, we were taught these values from our parents. Today, we can look at Marvel heroes to help us make those tough decisions. Here’s the story line and let’s look at a few films we students must watch:

Source: Leo A/ The Dreamer’s Disney Kingdom

1. Spider-Man: Homecoming -> Finding the balance between school responsibilities and life responsibilities is always a challenge. As students, we have the power to manage them by staying true to who we are.

2. Captain America: Civil War -> When making friends or studying in group projects, we may have disagreeing views. These bonds will be tested but if worked on and communication happens; they can be stronger than ever.

3. Doctor Strange -> Students like us will always seek knowledge form University. It is what we do with that knowledge that matters most.

Lucasfilm/ Star Wars

When Disney made this acquisition, we saw a franchise that brought family generations together with each trilogy be reinvigorated with a new series of films and lessons for us:

Source: Leo A/ The Dreamer’s Disney Kingdom

1. Star Wars: Rogue One -> The odds of success on exams or achieving our goals as students seems like we better give up and drink our sorrows away. It is tough times like this where all we need is hope.

2. Star Wars: The Force Awakens -> When those we care about most are struggling, it is easy to just run away. Instead as students, being there to listen and support them is all we need to do.

3. Star Wars: The Last Jedi -> We have made decisions we regret, and they often are tough to live with. As students, we can learn to handle these by accepting our decisions and looking to the future instead of the past.

21st Century Fox:

Disney has recently made this acquisition in 2018 but still being finalized which will make it legal in 2019. There are some key films/TV shows that you should check out before they get Disney’s magic:

TV Show:

Source: Leo A/ The Dreamer’s Disney Kingdom

1. The Simpsons -> This show has been around so long that there has been both love and hate for it. As students, we can learn from this show that we can create an idea that will last for a long time if we work hard each day.

Movies:

Source: Leo A/ The Dreamer’s Disney Kingdom

1. X-Men & Deadpool: -> Bringing a few more of Marvel’s creations to the owners of the Avengers leaves so much opportunity. These films can teach us the importance of accepting what some may say different is a gift we should use.

2. Avatar -> As students we have dreams of making a difference in the world, this can start with something as simple as helping your local university community.

Final Word:

Which Disney acquisition did you like most? What will you watch first?

Disney Ride Guide: Travelling to a Whole New World!

If you could have three wishes, what would you ask for? Chances are these may be having all the knowledge to ace all those exams, your guaranteed dream job and the opportunity to travel the world. Today on national Go For A Ride Day, we may not be travelling to Disney World, but we will use our Disney Movie guide to prepare for an adventure:

Disney & Pixar’s UP:

           “Adventure is out there.” — Ellie Fredricksen

Source: Giphy

Carl Fredricksen has a passion for adventure from the first time we see him on screen. Carl shares his first adventure with his wife, Ellie, before she passed away. Carl then goes on a whole new adventure with Russel and Dug, which taught him to appreciate every moment in life.

 

As students, our time at University is an adventure, but it does not mean that it is the finish line. It just shows us that we are ready to find our new journey; travelling abroad or working across the globe after graduation are just a few of the opportunities we have to enjoy life’s wonders.

Disney’s Pocahontas:

Source: Leo A/ The Dreamers Disney Kingdom

Pocahontas shares this famous line “You think the only people who are people, are the people who look and think like you, but if you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you’ll learn things you never knew, you never knew.” while singing Colours Of The Wind.

As students who are eager to see the world, we must also open our minds to new experiences. To achieve this, learning about a place’s culture you are visiting can help as a guideline, but it is important to just ride the wave.

Disney’s Aladdin:

Source: Leo A/ The Dreamer’s Disney Kingdom

          

Aladdin sings one of the most famous duet songs called A Whole New World. Aladdin could have made a wish to the Genie to just travel the world all alone. Travelling alone does help you grow as an individual by gaining more independence, like the day you got your driver’s license, so you can avoid your embarrassing parents taking you to school. Aladdin knew that travelling by yourself can also be lonely; he wanted to share it with those he cared about.

Whether you travel with family, friends, or significant other; making memories with those around us will make this the time of our lives.

Final Thoughts:

Today, our world is so diverse with different views. By having the technology to contact and visit these unique cultures; students like us can gain experiences that exceed what we can learn in the classroom.

 

 

 

Welcome back, Partner: Toy Story 4 is Coming Soon!

While we are all still enjoying our university life, we often reflect on the nostalgia of our childhood. Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story just released a trailer for its fourth installment this past Monday. With this trailer released, we will look at the trilogy to see how it can help us not only prepare for the next film in 2019, but also for adulthood now.

Toy Story:

Source: Leo A/ The Dreamer’s Disney Kingdom

The moment you turn this movie on, all of your nostalgic memories will come back as you hear the “You Got A Friend In Me” soundtrack and Andy Davis’s cheerful voice as he rides the chair with Woody in hand. When we were kids, we used to enjoy the wonder of toys being alive much like Andy.  While there are many lessons we can learn from what Woody and Buzz Lightyear go through; as students our real teacher is Andy. Andy is going through a time where he is trying to enjoy every moment, while facing his first challenge, which is a move to a new house.

The lesson from Andy is that while dealing with life’s obstacles, having fun and being creative can help reduce anxiety.

Toy Story 2:

Source: Leo A/ The Dreamer’s Disney Kingdom

In this film, at first glance, you would look to Woody’s struggles on where he truly belongs; in last week’s post on future goals this would certainly align well with understanding. The lesson will once again be from Andy, despite that he left for Cowboy camp throughout the film. Andy was going to take Woody along, but his arm was torn. Andy made the choice to go without Woody and learned that plans do not always go the way they expect. Andy not only learned this lesson but also appreciated the new toys, like Jessie and Bullseye when they joined his toy collection.

As students, we will get bad grades or not get that job, but we can grow from it.

Toy Story 3:

Source: Leo A/ The Dreamer’s Disney Kingdom

Changes are coming for the toys as they are now just sitting in a toy box waiting for the day Andy will play with them once more. The emotion in this film is truly heightened when you see Andy having to make the decision of what to do with his toys as he prepares for college. It is Andy at this point in our lives where he resonates with university students like us who are facing challenges like living away from home, taking on adult responsibilities and planning our future.

As students, Andy showed us that it will be difficult to give up what makes us comfortable, but we will always remember the memories. Spending time with kids and behaving like a kid can help bring back that imagination which will help us achieve our dreams.

Toy Story 4 and Final Thoughts:

If you have not seen the new trailers, Check them out here trailer one and trailer two.

Now I would like to hear your thoughts on the new trailers? Which Toy Story character do you relate most to?

 

 

 

Disney Guide: Steps To The Future

Last week you found a way to add a little Disney magic into your lives with cool merchandise. Just before that you turned procrastination into motivation.

Now that you got your confidence back, it’s time to learn how Disney can prepare you for life after completing your undergraduate degree. Today, you will finally have an answer to “Will you get a job with that degree?” or “Will you go do a Master’s?”.

Step 1: Let your heart and conscience be your guide

Source: Pixabay.com

Before you can answer those questions, you need to ask yourself: “Who am I?” To truly understand what you desire, you need to determine the type of person you want to be. Disney’s Pinocchio was a puppet who decided he wanted to be a “real boy,” but what steps he needed to take to achieve this goal were unclear. Pinocchio was told by Honest John and Gideon, that being rich and famous were the keys to living a successful life. Often this sounds too familiar to being asked “Why are you not a rich doctor or famous actor?” The lesson here is that when making decisions about your future, making wealth and power the focus will not ultimately satisfy you.  Disney’s Cinderella sang that “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes”; this dream does not mean you should marry royalty. Cinderella teaches us that we should listen to our heart, because when our hearts are happy; we are on track to achieving our dreams.

Step 2.1: I’m almost there after more school

Pursuing higher education may be the best step for you, because it can allow you the time to discover who you want to be. Disney’s The Princess and The Frog shows your dreams are possible, so long as you are passionate, persistent and resilient to obstacles that challenge you. Tiana’s dream of owning her own restaurant inspired her to pursue a career she earned for herself; his choice to take the long road over the quick easy path to royalty like her friend Charlotte La Bouff. When pursuing a master’s degree, the lesson from Tiana is that you may have to work hard every day, even if it means giving up on that night out. Giving up on a night out means believing in yourself, knowing that you will fight to have a future filled with many nights out.

Step 2.2: I’ve got a dream job

Tangled Wii Game Cover Leo A/ The Dreamer’s Disney Kingdom

When you think back to your childhood, you can likely recall some of the jobs you envisioned pursuing, like becoming an astronaut. Today, we are told to be more realistic; to do this we need to look at how to find jobs we want but are within reach. Disney’s Tangled character Flynn Rider highlights another key lesson for us. Flynn Rider learns throughout the film that his dream of being “On an island that I own, tanned and rested and alone, surrounded by enormous piles of money,” is no longer his dream. The lesson is that changing your career is perfectly normal and you should not feel ashamed to try something new that matches the person you want to be.

 

What are your dreams? Comment on how you will make them come true.