Life Lessons from Frozen II

Chances are, if you’re a parent to young kids, especially little girls, your realm of entertainment has morphed from TV series and movies like "Law & Order SVU" and "The Bourne Supremacy" to "Bubble Guppies" and "Moana." It’s no surprise, then, when Disney released "Frozen II", our family transitioned from the love of the original "Frozen" to "Frozen II."

In fact, for our household, it was the first movie we took our daughter to see in the theater. Since then, we have been listening to the soundtrack nonstop, patiently waiting for the release to Disney+.

One day, after dropping the kids off to daycare, I found myself continuing to listen to the soundtrack in the car, by myself. That’s when it happened. I was hit over the head with lyrics that, dare I say, have become an anthem of sort as I reflected on my last six months.

Life always hits us randomly and without permission, but to understand the impact of these lyrics, I first must list the life events I’ve experienced over the past six months. In September, I had my second child. In October, the president of the company I work for unexpectedly passed away. At the end of October, the bank I work for announced a merger with another bank. In November, I learned my team wouldn't have jobs with the new bank. In December, I returned to work from maternity leave. And most recently, on Monday, I led my dog and beloved family member across the rainbow bridge.

Now, read this excerpt of lyrics from “The Next Right Thing” from Frozen II.

“I won't look too far ahead

It's too much for me to take

But break it down to this next breath,

this next step

This next choice is one that I can make

So I'll walk through this night

Stumbling blindly toward the light

And do the next right thing

And, with it done, what comes then?

When it's clear that everything

will never be the same again

Then I'll make the choice to hear that voice

And do the next right thing”

My life events may be different than yours, but we all have them. Sometimes in the weight of all that’s going on, taking that next step is all we need to take. I know I will one day reflect on these six months as a character-building time in my life, one that shaped me to better process grief and pain, but also highlight strength and vulnerability. But today, looking too far ahead is too much too bear. Too much change and too much pain. 

So, if you’re like me, and maybe in a season of feeling overwhelmed, make the choice to hear that voice, and do the next right thing.