Hi There,
Today’s wisdom comes from Walter Elias Disney (1901-1966) who was an American entrepreneur, animator, voice actor, film producer and philanthropist. He pioneered the American animation industry.
Here is a great quote from Walt Disney:
“Life is composed of lights and shadows, and we would be untruthful, insincere, and saccharine if we tried to pretend there were no shadows. ”
– Walt Disney
Walt Disney’s Wisdom
Today’s quote highlights the lightness and darkness of life. Everybody experiences both of these during their life time. The highs and lows, the good and the bad … are all a normal part of life. They are also a normal part of pursuing your goals and dreams.
Walt Disney himself experienced the lightness and darkness during his lifetime.
He experienced the highs and lows of success. Some of which included:
- Holding the records as a film producer, for the most Academy Awards earned by an individual, having won 22 Oscars from 59 nominations (both records)
- Best known for his cartoon Mickey Mouse (who he also did the voice for many years. Also famous for Donald Duck, Mini Mouse and Pluto
- Created the first full length animated movie when he created Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.
- Involvement in planning the 1960 Winter Olympics
- Involvement in many charitable and philanthropic projects. In 1983 Disney formed the “Disneyland Community Action Team” (DCAT). DCAT became involved with the Special Olympics, the Orangewood Children’s Home, and other local charities. Later the Disney Worldwide Outreach program, was created to give a corporate standard on Disney’s charitable initiatives. On his death he left 45% of his estate went into a charitabl
e trust, 95 percent of which was designated for CalArts, to build a new campus
Walt Disney also experienced tough times and failures. Some of which included:
- Poor Grades. Rose with his brother at 4.30 am every morning to deliver the Times before school, and repeated it in the evenings, for six years. As a result of his grueling schedule he often got poor grades because he fell asleep in class
- Finding out that Universal owned the intellectual property rights to Oswald The Lucky Rabbit (which he’d created). Mintz threatened to start his own studio and produce the series himself if Disney refused to accept the reductions. Disney declined Mintz’s ultimatum and lost most of his animation staff.
- Having a nervous breakdown in October 1931—which he blamed on the way Powers operated and his own overwork
- Losses on pictures and deep debt. The studio began producing Pinocchio in early 1938 and Fantasia in November of the same year. Both films were released in 1940, and neither performed well at the box office—partly because revenues from Europe had dropped following the start of World War II in 1939. The studio made a loss on both pictures and was deeply in debt by the end of February 1941.
The Journey of Your Own Success
Just as Walt Disney experienced lightness and darkness as he pursued his goals and dreams, you will too. They are both just facts of life. Accept this reality and empower yourself – by gathering the people, knowledge and tools you require to take action on your goals. The journey of success and goal achievement requires persistence, resilience and courage to carry you through the lightness and darkness.
Take at least one action step today to progress and achieve your goals.
I’d love to hear from you – what inspiration have you gained from the life, wisdom and the many films of Walt Disney? Please share your comments below.
Warm regards
Lisa
