Mary Poppins and the Principle that Life is Supposed to be Fun

When was the last time you watched the movie Mary Poppins? Before I strongly suggest you watch it again, let me give you some great insights regarding the film, the most important of which being the principle that life is supposed to be fun. Only then we will find true happiness. Ok, you remember the famous "A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down," that I cited in another article. However, there is much more than this for the principle of fun. Let's take some bits: Magic 1. Mary Poppins is the ultimate magical nanny. She arrives in a cloud and shows Mr. Banks a piece of paper which was torn out and thrown away in the fireplace, but which has been pasted together with the characteristics of a good nanny, as expressed by Jane and Michael. 2. Then, of course, comes the "Let's tidy up the room" game, which is also filled with magic. 3. Then comes the promenade in the park, which turns out to be a great magical venture about going to the country, being served by penguins, and winning a horse-race with a carousel wooden-horse. Humor 1. Uncle Albert goes to the ceiling when he laughs and so do Jane, Michael, and Bert. They get back to "earth" so to speak when they are sad. 2. Mr. Dawes, Sr. dies happily laughing with the joke of the two-legged man. Creativity and Imagination 1. Bert draws beautifully on the park grounds. 2. Mary Poppins measures up Jane and Michael. She, of course, is "Practically Perfect In Every Way." Dance 1. Bert and his chimney sweep friends, dance in the roof and inside Mr. Banks house. 2. Bert dances with the penguins. Money 1. Michael wants to give the bird woman his tuppence. 2. Mr. Banks loses his job only to discover how fortunate he is in having a life with his family. Luck 1. Let's shake hands with a chimney sweeper. Song and Music 1. It is all over the place. They make everyone happy in all circumstances. 2. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! Communication 1. Being clear of the expectations between Mary Poppins and Mr. Banks. 2. Mary Poppins speak with Andrew, the dog. 3. Admiral Bloom relates the piece of bad weather. Relationships 1. Parents/Children: inexistent then loving and familiar 2. Husband/Wife: authority and subordination 3. Cook/Helen: shaky and then friendly 4. Mary Poppins/Bert: love and friendship Causes 1. Vote for Women! Now, one can see that a truly life of fun needs to have elements of each of these pieces and bits. They all add to the quality of life that we so much seek. We all need to have magic, humor, music and dance, money, good relationships, excellent communication, creativity, imagination, a good cause, and, of course, a bit of luck. The recipe for a happy life is thus complete.