Monday 1 April 2013

Colours of the Month

April is the month of awareness for two things which have had a major impact in my life…autism and cancer. Last year I went green for the month of April. This year I thought about going purple (blue + pink) then for some reason the song “Colors of the Wind” from the animated movie Pocahontas popped into my head. Squirrel!  :)

I guess it is not surprising since so much of Riley World revolves around all things Disney. I never realized how much the message of this song had in common with Riley World particularly the second/third verse:

You think the only people who are people
Are the people who look and think like you
But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger
You'll learn things you never knew you never knew.

Pocahontas urges Captain John Smith to "accept humans who are different in appearance and culture and to learn from them". While I am pretty sure lyricist Stephen Schwartz was not talking about autism (then again you never know) when he wrote this song in 1995 and one can interpret the words any way they want, I found the words so fitting and powerful.

So instead of focusing on autism and cancer awareness just for the month of April, I am going to try and do it every day of every month of every year. After all…it IS supposed to be all about acceptance, differences and learning no matter what “World” we live in isn't it?



14 comments:

  1. Bravo, we can all learn a thing or two from Disney.

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  2. One reason I like reading blogs is to learn about people who live differently, with different challenges, and different perspectives. You can't go have a deep discussion with everyone that passes by about their lives. What I learn here and other blogs will help me in my interactions on a daily basis forever. Thank you for sharing your family's story with the world.

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    1. Awwwww shucks...you gave me the warm and fuzzies. Thanks for this!

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  3. I've always loved that song - but I never thought of it like this! Thank you:)

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    1. Truth be told me neither...until I actually looked at the lyrics. :)

      Thank YOU for reading Bridget!

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  4. You are amazing. Also I've never even seen that movie but now I think I should and i'll think of ya'll.

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    1. Gasp! Never seen the movie??? Obviously your kidlets aren't all things Disney like R. Tee hee.

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  5. Yes. You are awesome! Acceptance is the least we can do to ake the world a happy place.

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    1. Thank you Stasha! I think you're awesome too! :D

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