Six Lessons I Learned from Winnie the Pooh
I have always loved Winnie the Pooh. I loved him when I was a little girl and used to sing his theme song incessantly. I loved reading books about him to my baby girl. I love the photo I have of my husband holding a stuffed Pooh Bear when he was a little boy. I love that my mother cleaned and restored my husband’s worn and loved stuffed Winnie the Pooh, and that he now resides in our home.
The bond is real and deep.
But did you realize that there are COUNTLESS LESSONS to be learned from Pooh Bear and his friends?? He’s brilliant! Wise beyond his years. Enjoy these six lessons from Winnie the Pooh.
1️⃣ “We didn’t realize we were making memories, we just knew we were having fun.” (A.A. Milne)
I am often amazed when my kids share their memories with me. I am completely surprised about the things they remember. You never really know when you are creating a memory for another person. Sure, there are times we go out of our way to try to create fond memories: holiday traditions, special occasions, family vacations all come to mind. But it’s often the everyday activities, the shared laughs, silly stories etc. that are morphing into memories. Cherish the fun and celebratory times, but also cherish the day-to-day, because you just might be making a sweet memory for somebody you love.
2️⃣ “Don’t underestimate the value of doing nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering.” (Pooh, A.A. Milne)
Today we are so busy, so over scheduled, always on the run. How often do you have a day, or even simply a few hours, to just be? Always trying to find the silver lining, the lesson to be learned, this global pandemic, with its forced downtime, time spent at home, with our family, away from others, may turn out to be a blessing in disguise that we did not even know we so desperately needed. It’s allowing us to clear our schedules, have more white space in our lives, more downtime, more time to simply be. Enjoy the slower pace of things in this season we find ourselves in. Take time to meditate, to read, to think, to journal, to have conversations, to imagine, to dream…to just be.
3️⃣ “What day is it?”
“Today,” said Piglet.
“Ah,” said Pooh. “My favorite day.”
This to me is simply a reminder to enjoy EVERY day; to find the joy in each new day you are given. They are not guaranteed, so treasure them. Imagine the day you could have, if you woke up with the mindset that THIS was your favorite day! Come on, let’s all give it a try.
4️⃣ “The things that make me different are the things that make me, ME!” (Piglet, A.A. Milne)
Stop comparing yourself to others. Stop worry about what others think. Stop worrying about what others may or may not be saying about you, your family, your business, your style, your looks. Just be YOU! Be thankful for those qualities that make you uniquely you. Be thankful for what makes you different, what draws people to you, what others enjoy and adore about you. Be the best YOU that you can be.
5️⃣ “Pooh,” whispered Piglet.
“Yes, Piglet?” said Pooh.
“Oh nothing,” said Piglet.
“I just wanted to be sure of you.”
Be thankful for the opportunity of simply being with those you love. Do not hesitate to let them know that you are thankful for them and for the time you get to spend with them. There is so much beauty in the simplicity of this concept.
6️⃣ And I leave you with this quote from Christopher Robin: “Promise me you’ll always remember, you’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” (A.A. Milne)
I don’t even think I need to, nor could I, elaborate any more on that one!
Winnie the Pooh, that “tubby little cubby all stuffed with fluff,” is so much more than a children’s story book character. To me, he has proven himself to be a wise and trusted friend.
