FROZEN

Matt , my not so little anymore little brother, is obsessed with Disney's new movie FROZEN. He bought the soundtrack immediately after seeing the movie and now listens to it every. single. day. We saw it together as a family soon after opening day and I have to admit that I was not impressed, which really surprised me. I felt like a lot of the songs were oddly placed and I really didn't love the story line. I also felt like it was just very predictable and cheesy, but what was I expecting? :) It's Disney.

Fast forward to yesterday. I finally broke down and watched it again with Matt. I had been listening to the soundtrack with Matt (there wasn't much of a choice our walls aren't that thick) and had been pondering the meaning behind a couple of the songs. I felt like I  had become more open minded about the movie and wanted to watch it again to see if I still felt the same way. Boy am I glad that I did. There is SO MUCH packed into the movie. Stunning animation, loveable characters and such an incredibly relatable story line. I don't know if it is because my expectations were lowered or what, but I now LOVE the movie!

Part of me feels like the reason I might have disliked it before is because I feel like I can relate to Elsa, and I was in denial about it. In-between the two times I have seen the move I've now started to accept the fact that maybe I've been hiding/trying to hide part of myself for my entire life. This second watching of the movie really solidified that I connect with Elsa in so many ways. I think a lot of people do. I think that is because we are taught that we need to be perfect. That it is bad, or even evil, to be different, or in Elsa's case to have a gift that people don't understand. I don't think I wasn't the only person that was taught that I need to show the best sides of myself and hide those things that weren't considered socially acceptable, or respectable. If I ever slipped up and did something wrong in public I felt deep shame. So I did my best to never do it and I think over the years more and more of "me" has become hidden. It's an odd thing to realize at 24 years old. I feel like I should have realized it years ago, but I guess it's better late than never.

My heart aches as I watch the relationship between Elsa and Anna. It's clear that they both love each other so much but there is so much misunderstanding and miscommunication that neither one is able to show that love. I'm so glad that the movie portrays that no matter what there is always a strong bond between sisters!

I think the part of the movie that I connected with most is Elsa's "Let it Go" sequence. It's the part where she finally is able to let go and be herself. She is able to see what she is capable of doing if she simply accepts who she is and stops trying to hide that. I love how happy she looks as she takes off her glove and starts letting herself free. She's finally allowing herself to be who she is and it's so clearly liberating. Just watch the sequence below and you'll see what I mean. I've pulled out a couple of the lyrics that I really connect with. The first section is part of who she was expected to be and the second section is the beginning of her transition.

Don’t let them in, don’t let them see

Be the good girl you always have to be

Conceal, don’t feel, don’t let them know

And the fears that once controlled me

Can’t get to me at all

It’s time to see what I can do

To test the limits and break through

No right, no wrong, no rules for me

I’m free

I've decided that this song is going to be my inspiration for 2014. Right now the fear still has control of my heart. This year I am going to work on changing that. I am finally going to take the steps I need to take to find myself and let myself be free. Like Elsa proclaims "that perfect girl is gone!" I'm going to stop being who I think everyone else wants me to be and just be me. It's not going to be easy, but I know that I will finally be able to feel free. 

It's time to "Let it Go!"