As you may already know, my son Carter is 3 years old. He has recently discovered the Disney Movie Toy Story. I’m not quite sure why he likes it as much as he does, but he watches it at least 5 times a day. As soon as it is over he asks us to push play and start it again.
I forgot what a great movie it is.
I love the part when Buzz Lightyear is first introduced in Andy’s room and he is convinced that he is a real Space Ranger with the ability to fly. Woody (the cowboy) asks him to prove it.
Buzz puts his arms out, says “To Infinity and Beyond” and leaps of the bed. He bounces head first off of a ball and then lands on his feet on a car sitting at the top of a loop de loop track. He rides the car up the loop, back down and is finally thrown up in the air where he is caught by an airplane that is suspended from the ceiling by a string. He spins around faster and faster on the airplane until he is thrown from the airplane and lands back on the bed as all of the other toys applaud (except for Woody).
Woody tells Buzz that he wasn’t flying, he was falling with STYLE.
It isn’t until later in the movie that Buzz realizes that he is just a toy, and that he can’t fly after all. He is so depressed and completely loses his will to live. He doesn’t even attempt to escape from Andy’s evil next door neighbor (I think his name is Sid) who has taped him to a rocket.
I don’t want to tell you the whole movie, in case you haven’t seen it yet, so I will just skip to the part where Woody and Buzz are able to light the rocket while Buzz is still taped to it. They use the rocket to try to catch Andy’s moving van. Just before the rocket explodes Buzz opens his wings, cutting the tape and he and Woody begin to glide safely down towards the moving van. Instead of gliding easily into the back of the moving van with the rest of the toys, Buzz glides over the van. Woody asks Buzz why he missed the van. Just before they fall into the sunroof of the car that Andy is riding in Buzz tells him they weren’t aiming for the van.
So why am I talking about Toy Story?
Partly because when it comes down to it, I am a Mom, and when I’m not working I am playing with toys and watching kid movies. Aside from that though, I love the lessons that this movies teaches and how those lessons relate to our journey toward success.
I think that Buzz demonstrates that you don’t have to be able to fly to be exceptional.
You can still accomplish great things when you fall with STYLE. Some people might consider falling to be FAILING, but there is nothing wrong with failing. Failing is inevitable on the journey to success. You have to fail in order to learn what you need to change or improve. Failure is a temporary thing as long as you keep trying.
The other great lesson from Toy Story that I feel relates to success is that you can’t allow yourself to stop aiming for your ultimate goal. It would have been much easier (and safer) for Buzz to glide into the back of the moving van and join all of the other toys, but Buzz wasn’t willing to settle for that. Just like we shouldn’t be willing to settle for joining the majority of the people we know who are taking the easy and safe road to life. To reach our ultimate goals, and live the lives that will truly make us happy, we need to keep aiming for what we really want.
So what does this mean for you?
It means don’t be afraid to fail. Don’t be afraid to try to do something that you have never done before. All you need to do is start taking steps towards your goals. After you start taking those steps, don’t be tempted to take the easy way out. Keep going until you reach your ultimate goal.
It will be worth it when you get there!
Jodi Lee (10)
Kellie Hosaka (9)
Venus :) (8)
Yannick van den Bos (8)
Val Wilcox (7)
Kara Grabenhorst (6)
Jean (5)
Kimberly Castleberry (5)
Nick Logan (5)
Sandy & Al Ab... (5)
That was one of the best blogs I have ever read. Can relate perfectly to the message and I love that movie to boot. Very good blog and I absolutely love the picture. That background looks very familiar though. . .
[Reply]
melissa Reply:
February 22nd, 2010 at 8:53 pm
Thanks sweetheart! I’m glad you liked my post! It is not surprising that you can relate to the message, you have also seen this movie over and over again. Thanks for checking out my blog! Love you!
[Reply]
Melissa,
What a great analogy. I will definitely use your saying “falling with style” again & again! Thanks for the wonderful share,
Val
Val Wilcox´s last blog ..Are You on a Rhinoceros Path in Life?
[Reply]
melissa Reply:
February 24th, 2010 at 3:41 am
Thanks for the comment Val. I’m sure Buzz and Woody would be happy to hear you like their phrase!
[Reply]
Melissa,
´s last blog ..Chocolate? 
thank you for this wonderful blog – infinity and beyond are my favorite words and concepts to ponder on. Great post,
Venus
Venus
[Reply]
melissa Reply:
February 24th, 2010 at 3:43 am
Thanks for the comment Venus! Saying “To Infinity and Beyond” has become my son’s favorite thing to say lately. It usually comes right before he jumps from something.
[Reply]
Melissa,
I love this post. The message about success is so true and I love the way you’ve used this movie to bring that to light. I think there is another important message embedded in there, too. We often allow others to define our potential and tell us who we are. Woody told Buzz he couldn’t fly. Really? That’s Woody’s view of Buzz’s ability. Should Buzz let Woody define him or should Woody consider that falling with style might actually be flying….
Everything is an illusion….pick one that is empowering.
Jodi Lee´s last blog ..Timely Post for SMART goals
[Reply]
melissa Reply:
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:26 pm
Great points Jodi! I completely agree with you! We definitely need to avoid allowing people to define our potential. Thanks for adding your insight!
[Reply]
Isn’t it amazing the fabulous life lessons that come out of children’s movies (well, selectively anyway!)
We have yet to see Toy Story, but with a 2 year old in the house I have a feeling we’re not far off!
One of my best friends and her boyfriend have coined their relationship “To Infinity & Beyond” ~ great for relationships and great for living out our greatest dreams!
Thanks for sharing this Melissa!
Beth Allen´s last blog ..The Power of Perseverance
[Reply]
melissa Reply:
February 28th, 2010 at 5:53 pm
Hey Beth! Thanks for the comment! I hope I haven’t spoiled the movie for you when you do watch it. It really is a great movie! I think Disney does a great job with entertaining all age groups with their movies. That is really cute that your friend and her boyfriend use that phrase to describe their relationship.
[Reply]
Toy Story is a fun movie. Thank you, Melissa, for catching the deeper encouragement for us in the script. Falling with style really is a necessary skill for the successful life.
[Reply]
melissa Reply:
February 28th, 2010 at 5:55 pm
Thanks for the comment Ingrid! I hope that we all learn to fall as gracefully as Buzz!
[Reply]
Melissa I really love to read your posts they really go deep into stuff. I know and feel that I am coming closer and closer to my goald and its GREAT! Thanks for sharing!
Yannick van den Bos´s last blog ..5 Steps To Success: Have fun! (Step 1)
[Reply]
[...] for sharing your interview! Melissa Melissa Wright´s last blog ..To Infinity and Beyond… Nick Logan Reply: February 25th, 2010 at 10:12 [...]
Hi Melissa,
So for starters I love Toy Story, especially Toy Story 2 and cant wait for Toy Story 3! For those of you that dont know me – YES I also have a son (5yrs) and a daughter almost 2. But anyhow I think the lessons you highlighted in the movie are great and I can really relate to them. I have also been through my share of failures and with each one I have learned so much – I have no regrets!
Thanks Melissa.
Blessings
Yamuna Keller
[Reply]