Allowing Good things to Happen: A Maya Hart character study

On the most recent Girl Meets World episode: Girl Meets I Do, we saw Maya finally allow hope and happiness into her life. This is such an important lesson, and one I can absolutely relate to. 

When someone lives a life with constant conflict, struggle and obstacle after obstacle, it is easy to get into a habit of expecting bad things to happen, especially when something good actually happens to you. You wonder: what's the catch? Where's the curveball? How do I pay for this? Then, you brace yourself for impact, expecting the worst, because why would you expect the best?

For the character Maya Hart, this is a routine. She is convinced (partly due to the identity she has believed herself to have) that life doesn't allow good things to happen, unless something bad happens. 

It is very hard for her to accept hope, happiness and of course, love. 

Since the first episode of Girl Meets World, Maya has believed herself to be a "bad" girl. Convinced that because life doesn't work out for her, she must be cursed, while her best friend Riley is blessed with a life that seemingly has no problems. 

She tells Riley, quite frequently: "I'm a bad influence." And she clearly believes it. But Maya Hart is more hopeful and good than she believes herself to be. 

In Girl Meets Truth, we learn that Maya has always wanted a family. She takes a locket with a family inside, knowing that she wants what they have. Riley knows this is wrong and eventually Maya realizes that she can do the right thing by returning the locket to its rightful owner. 

In Girl Meets Master Plan, Maya talks to Shawn, learns that they are very similar, and gets upset with Riley for interfering in her life (trying to get Shawn and Maya's mother together). While Maya is upset with Riley, we learn that her mother bought her a special gift for her birthday, something she has always wanted: a locket. Shawn takes the picture that goes inside, but Maya discovers something else she wants. This is the moment we see Maya begin to hope. 

Maya looks at Shawn and her mother. Despite her cynical thoughts, she makes a wish. It's pretty obvious what she wished for, but this is only the beginning of her journey to allow hope in her life. 

In Girl Meets Pluto, the kids want to put something special in the time capsule. Maya claims that "Hope is for suckers" but the photo she puts in the box says otherwise. 

In Girl Meets Hurricane, Maya faces the ultimate storm that could dash her hopes, but she chooses to hang on. Shawn buys her a new wardrobe, showing how much he cares, and finally asks Maya's mother out on a date. This moment means the world to Maya, and she allows herself to be happy. 

But her test is not over until she faces the past, by reaching out to the father who left her. By finally acknowledging her past, Maya says that she's not angry anymore. Anger was a major element of the "bad girl" image she believed defined who she was. Cory asks her, "Did you forgive yourself?" 

Maya changes from these events (understandably so) and we see a happier and more hopeful girl who is willing to accept that good things can happen. 

But Riley doesn't see this, and through Riley's influence, Maya becomes convinced that she has lost who she is. This is the beginning of Maya's reverse growth. 

We know that Maya likes Lucas, but she has stepped back multiple times in order to make Riley happy. She is the type of person to put others before herself, and she believes, despite that hope, that good things don't happen to her very often. This is displayed very clearly in Girl Meets Flaws. 

In Ski Lodge, we see that Maya has reverted back to season one Maya, convinced that only bad things will happen but she still has hope, as displayed in her painting during Girl Meets True Maya. 

Despite the fact that Maya believes she never had hope, she always did, but she didn't acknowledge it. This has a huge impact on how Lucas and Maya decide to resolve the triangle. 

Maya lets Lucas go, noting that if Lucas had chosen her, Riley would be crushed. She gives up on something else she has wanted, and by this point, Maya has lost the ability to accept good things happening in her life. When Josh says he'll play the long game, she has a little hope that it might work out, but the one thing she really wants is about to happen. 

In Girl Meets Upstate, Shawn proposes to Katy. Maya is overjoyed by this, but she is also very scared. Up until now, life always has a catch when things happen. 

Convinced that the wedding will somehow not happen, Maya confronts Shawn, explaining to him that she believes bad things happen to them, and once life figures out this is happening, something else bad will happen. 

Shawn explains to Maya, that while he can't promise everything will work out, he's taking a leap of faith. 

"Hey Maya. We jumping or what?" he asks. He shows Maya, Katy and the Matthews family that he's serious, and the wedding is actually happening. 

And this is the moment Maya finally allows hope into her life again. It's a powerful event that will determine her future, and one that she has wanted for so long, but never expected to get. 

During the wedding, before Katy and Shawn say their vows Maya tells him. "Before this happens, I'm with you. I'm jumping with you." 

This is a beautiful moment in Maya's character arc. She has finally allowed a new perspective into her life, one of hope and happiness. This moment is also so important for Shawn, who lived his life with a similar attitude. This leap of faith means so much to all three of them, and it is one of the most powerful expressions of love that I have ever seen on television. 

Go Maya! 

Go Shawn! 

Go Katy! 

They have learned a lesson about life that is very difficult, and often overlooked: good things will happen to you, if you let them. Once you believe that good things can happen, that you deserve good things, your life will change. 

The smiles and tears in this episode are genuine. It means a lot to see these characters grow, and it gives me hope to get past a very similar obstacle. 

A Talk for Generation Y

So I have to be honest. This is my generation: the one born between 1983- 2002. And I'm currently at a point in my life where I have the power to choose what to do next. And I'm lucky enough to have the ability to choose between several options.
I have met several people from my generation throughout the world, and most of them, including me are terrified of the future. Student loans, the economy and so many other social and political topics have made this generation feel like they have no way to follow their passion.
I remember a talk I had, with several expats around my age, where we spoke of how doomed our generation was.
I was very surprised that my perspective of our situation was not the norm.
You see, I believe that this generation has the ability to prove all the naysayers, critics and the people that turn their nose up at our generation wrong. We have the challenge before us, and if we conquer that challenge, we will amaze the world!
Because it is so difficult, it's easy to see the meaning in facing it. 

Once again, it won't be easy, and yes things have become more difficult, but if we give up before we begin, what can the world say about us? 

After voicing my opinion to several other people my age, there was a stunned silence. 

"I've never thought of it that way." one person said, and "Maybe that's not so farfetched." another person said. But I was shocked. I had no idea that this perspective was so rare. 

Maybe it's because, I'm stubborn and I will face a challenge. Some might say I'm foolish and I watch too much Disney, but really? Is it so difficult? Is it really that tough to reach out to the world and find your calling? 

We have the technology, resources and the connections to find our way in the world. And I know that failure is possible, but it's never the end. 

I think Eunice Hii has a point. We can still follow our passion and find the motivation to discover that great career, and the thing is, passions change, goals change, and there's nothing wrong with that. 

What truly matters is to find the meaning in what you love to do, and to decide what it's worth to risk. 

I refuse to give up. And while my passion is to work for Disney, my purpose is to inspire others to overcome adversity and find the courage to be who they are. 

These facts took a long time to learn, but now that I know them, I'm one step closer to my goal. 

I agree with Eunice Hii. Even if it's not your job, you can be passionate about something and work toward it. You don't have to know your passion by a certain age, and it's okay if you haven't found it. 

My experience, both in identifying and pursuing what I love to do, is that life is really about meaning. If your hobbies, dream job and goals mean something to you, you will find a way to make them happen. 

Creativity

I think this is my favorite TED Talk.

Something I made to reflect a thought. 

Tumblr post here: 

http://summonerserahheart.tumblr.com/post/118785071258/things-change-once-you-decide-to-be-the-hero-of

"A dream is a wish your heart makes."- Cinderella

Cinderella will be coming out next month, and I'm really excited for the new release. The Cinderella troupe has been around for years, and it passes from generation to generation. The story of the underdog rising to become what they are meant to be is one of the most inspirational and intuitive stories in the world. 

It's a story for the dreamers, the doers and the believers. The ability to understand that you are capable of anything will see you through any adversity in life. I learned this a few years ago, but sometimes lessons are learned again in different ways. 

It's more than just dreaming. It's acheiving. Pushing yourself to meet your goals and believing that you can accomplish whatever you set your mind to will lead you to wonderful places in life. And they way you think really does matter. 

I think people can relate to Cinderella, because she is a dreamer and an achiever. She starts her story with humble beginnings and much adversity, but she believes that she is meant for more, and she acts on her dreams. This is a story that anyone can relate to, no matter how old or young they are. 

Cinderella is a wonderful reminder that anything can happen if you believe and act upon your dreams.

Check out the gorgeous and inspirational new trailer here: 

On figuring things out

A few years ago, I believed that I always had to have a plan, and a set goal to get anywhere in life. 

Of course, these goals are important: they give you something to work for, and a way to find purpose in the world. But the plan is not everything. 

I thought I understood the meaning of the quote that Chong tells Sokka in Avatar the Last Aribender: "I hope you learned a little something about not letting the plans get in the way of the journey." 

But I think I understand his quote better now than a few years ago.

Of course, a plan isn't a bad thing, but it can't be concrete. Life is confusing and crazy. Nothing is set in stone. It's a constant flowing current moving from one moment to the next. Things change. People change. Plans change. 

I learned this through the situations that much of my friends and family went through because of the economy. I even had a deep conversation of that never ending debate money over happiness with my best friend. 

Yes, it is important to be responsible, and it is important to make a living, but it is also important to do the things that replenish our souls. Things that we create, and that we can be proud of when we look back on our accomplishments. 

Because I think way too much, and because I'm way too hard on myself. I focused on the goal, and forgot about the path to get there. 

There will be failures. There will be places you feel like you don't belong. There will be people who don't like you, or who judge you negatively about your dreams. There will be people who say you can't do the thing you've set your heart on. People will be out there, and they will tell you that you can't, but it is up to you to listen to them or continue pursuing what you love to do. 

To be honest, I still don't have it figured out. I'm currently in South Korea teaching English, and I'm torn between going back to the USA to pursue my dream of publishing a novel, and becoming a script writer, or staying here one more year, moving to a different city and allowing myself to try again. 

It's not that I've failed, but it's difficult for me, where I am currently, and while I'm grateful that things have gotten better, I still don't feel like I belong. 

Happiness, according to every book I've rea and every movie I've seen is the key to a healthy and meaningful life. 

No, it doesn't buy you anything, pay off your student loans, or even set up your retirement fund, but it does give you the satisfaction that you did your best at the end of the day. The feeling that life offers you just a little more than you were expecting. 

Happiness is the key. 

And, to be honest, I have a few more months to decide what my next step will be, but I have been so stressed out about this that I've asked everyone around me for advice. 

Sometimes I forget. Life is not a straight path. There are forks in the road, hills to climb, giant boulders that you have to learn how to walk around or over. There are even ruts, and sticky patches of mud and tar that you have to push through at a snail's pace. 

Life in a word is unpredictable. 

But if I choose one path, it doesn't mean I can never choose the other later, or even a better path that could be waiting around the corner. 

As long as you balance your responsibility and your happiness, you will be successful. It is one of the mysterious truths of life. 

So both elements are important. Taking responsibility and finding happiness. But they're not as easy as they seem.

Because we change, what we want can change too, and those wants can leads us down different paths. But regardless of what we choose, it is very important to think of our own health and happiness. 

For me, if I can write, and if I can make a difference (even a small one) then I'll be happy. Disney is the environment I loved in the working world, and the bookstore that I worked at echoed that atmosphere. I like helping others, but I also like the ability and freedom to express myself through writing and using the imagination. 

This is more of a personal entry than a public one, but I wanted to share what I have learned from weighing the options. 

Happiness is very important. So while the months roll by, I will try to decide which path to take, but this time, unlike a lot of decisions I have made, I will focus on what makes me happy.  

Holiday Reflections

Christmas has always been one of my favorite holidays, and when I look back on my life, it's the holiday that I remember most out of my past years. 

My family had a tradition to go on a sixteen to seventeen hour road trip to go see our family in Louisiana. Sometimes the road trip was nice, and other times we drove each other crazy, but I loved being on the road, listening to everyone's favorite music, sharing jokes, and telling stories. I also loved the anticipation to get to my aunt's house and enjoy the weekend with shopping, the traditional movie and the big Christmas dinner. 

Over the years, these traditions changed. 

At the Disney World college program, my room mates and I pitched in together for a big christmas tree, and bought each other presents and ornaments. We all had to work on Christmas Day, but after work we met up and watched the Disney Holiday fireworks. I'll never forget that day. 

At UNC, we divied up the Christmas shopping, and sat around the Christmas tree opening presents from each other while baking cookies and watching The Nightmare Before Christmas. 

I remember Christmas at my Uncle Huey's house, surrounded by Barbies and Comics, deep into a philosophical discusion about the makings of religion. I remember the fancy dinners we had in the secret  dinning room through the library at my Grandfather's house, just talking about how nice it was to see everyone, and trying new fancy foods.

The Christmas snow at my Grandmother's house with my cousins building snowmen on top of their cars is a funny memory where the winner had to grab the biggest shovel to knock it down before they could drive back home. 

I remember attending the Christmas mass with my aunt and cousins, standing in a church I hadn't visted since we moved to Colorado. 

Over the years, some traditions have changed. We haven't done the big family road trip in a while, but we still buy a new ornament every year, and put Dad's origami ornaments on the tree. We still buy christmas gifts from the King Soopers tree and have fun shopping for nice toys and clothes to give to the families that can't afford a fancy christmas. 

Some my favorite traditions that have carried on over the years are:

Receiving gifts from my favorite fictional characters. (Gandalf gave me the Evenstar necklace when I was in High School) 

Buying a new christmas ornament every year

Sleeping in on Christmas Morning

Giving the dogs their christmas gift. (Haley would always just stick her nose in the bag and try to get the treats at the bottom. Dingo just rips the tissue paper and goes for the gold)

Having Christmas breakfast, and watching Christmas films with the family. 

What are your holiday traditions? Do you have some favorite holiday memories over the years?

The Human Condition

                                    

Warning: This post is seriously philosophical and probably too detailed for its own good.

When I was in college, I decided to do research on happiness? Why? Because I was comparing myself to everyone else, and they all seemed happy, so I felt there was something wrong with me and it was time to do some research on happiness.
I started a routine whenever I went to the bookstore, and I went to the dreaded self help section to find books that just focused on being happy. It was not an easy task, and quite frankly, I was embarrassed to even be seen in that section of the bookstore.
But there I was with a pile of books, wondering what they could possibly know that I was missing. One thing is for sure. I wasn't happy.
So I begin reading. I don't remember any of the books' titles, but I did remember some of what they said.
Happiness is a choice.
I pondered that for awhile. Can someone really just choose to be happy? Is it possible? How?
Well, there are a few habits that some books told you to break. What was number one?
Comparing yourself to others.
Now this is something I'm still guilty of. I compare myself to people that are my age all the time. And I don't mean just friends or family. I compare myself to authors, actresses, producers, bloggers and even book characters.
So, according to my Happiness research, that one habit alone is a sure fire way to being completely miserable.
How can my path even compare to others? Even if I put myself on a scale with people on their career paths and compare how far I've gotten, what good does that do me?
Nothing.
Here's why. According to the books, or what I remember from them, all people are different and no one has the same life or career path. Now, there are a few techniques I can use, and ways to learn how to put myself out there as a writer, but that's not the same as comparing my life to someone else's life. Here's why. I have been through different experiences, and I don't know the same people they do. My personality is probably different, and the way I view life will never be identical to any one else.
I know that many people in my generation believe that in elementary school, the way they tell you that you are different and unique is a lie, and you don't learn that until you're actually out in the real world.
The people who say this don't really understand what it means to be different or unique.
I think they confuse the word unique with special and privileged.
I also think that the human race confuses the word happiness with contentment.
The human condition is to always strive for perfection, but there is no such thing as a perfect life, a perfect relationship or even a perfect person.
There's a quote in Sarah Dessen's book The Truth About Forever that really sums up this revelation.
"I like flaws. They make things interesting."
Without flaws, who would we be? Without challenges, obstacles, conflict and fear, what would the human race be like? Possibly robots.
I guess I'm rambling about this because most of my generation is very jaded about their situation in life, and to be honest, I slip into a rut from time to time. Apparently we were promised the world on a silver platter, and life didn't deliver.
But if the world really was handed to us, how motivated would we be to make something great?
If we never had problems, what would life be like? Would there even be a purpose to anything anymore?
Just as characters grow from struggles and fear, I believe that the purpose of life is to get past all those obstacles. To face our fears, overcome conflict and reach our goals.
So I hope that the next time I feel jaded, I'll remember this.
Another secret to happiness is knowing yourself and what you want.
If you just keep going, maybe the path will be revealed. But this path won't be smooth. It will have cracks, hills and maybe even mountains. Sometimes we want life to be easier, but if it was, would the goal be worth it?

Origami and Happiness

My Dad just posted this commercial on his Facebook, and it made me smile. He taught me how to fold paper cranes and many other neat origami animals. We even have some origami christmas ornaments we put on the tree every year :) 

When I graduated High School, he folded 1000 paper cranes for me that I will keep forever. This commercial reminds me of my Dad, and it makes me smile. Enjoy!

  

If you want cuteXcute on your desktop :)

This is the perfect video to watch on a bad day or even when you're bored out of your mind!
Enjoy the cute kitties!

Never Give Up!

Many of my friends and family are very sad right now, and I'll admit that I'm not in the best situation myself. But just because life gets tough, it doesn't mean we should throw in the towel. 

I've been doing a lot of reading, writing and reflecting, and here are some tips I have found when you're down in the dumps.

Count your blessings: What are you grateful for? What do you appreciate in life? What do you like about yourself?

Do something you love: Watch your favorite movie. Listen to your favorite song on repeat. Take a walk, bring your ipod and just listen to whatever your playlist brings your way.

Meditate: Take a deep breath, close your eyes, then open them to take in where you are. Pretend that you've never been here before. What do you notice? Are there dewdrops on the flowers? Is the sun shining on the snow?

Give Yourself A Break: Are you thinking that you failed? Are you thinking that you can't get past this? How do these thoughts benefit you? They don't. Instead think "I will get through this." "I can do this." 

Talk to someone: You don't have to talk about what's wrong. Reminesce on old times. Laugh at your favorite jokes. Just enjoy each others' company. Smile, Laugh and have fun.

Think about what you can do for others: Are you shopping today? Are you walking the dog? Smile and wave at the people you meet. Tell a joke at the check out line. Compliment someone. You'll be surprised at how you feel helping someone get through their day. All because you acknowledged them.

Turn Lemons into Lemonade: Ask yourself- "What can I do to improve my situation?" And act accordingly. Do you have a lot of time? Use it for your hobbies. Make new friends. Are you stuck in bed? Read, Watch a movie or even write if you feel like it. Come up with ways to enjoy where you are now, until you get to where you want to be. 

All these tips I have probably been advised by people through out my life, but only now, after reading numerous books and reflecting on my own habits, have I truly listed them as goals and habits. Why? Because it's more difficult. It's easier to give up. It's easier to blame the world. It's easier to hold a grudge. But in the long  run, does it reward you? No. 

The greatest reward you can earn in life is looking out from your self made prison and seeing the stars. 

So I hope this helps the people I care about. Those people on tumblr threatening suicide, my friends and family whose frustration builds up and carries over into resentment and negativity. 

If  you don't think that these tips will work for you, think about it this way, if someone you cared about was in this situation, what would you tell them? How would you want them to look at themselves and life? 

The Positivity challenge

Replace "can't" with "can".
Replace "won't" with "will".
For every tear, laugh or smile.
Every time you look back, take a step forward.
Every time you doubt yourself, prove yourself wrong.
Never give up.
Embrace failure.
Appreciate your mistakes.
Learn and move on.

Think about yourself so you can forget about yourself

This quote rang through my head when I finished reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. I thought about it all day. Really thought about it. I had to ask myself what it really meant. In order to think about yourself, you think of what you want to do, who you want to be and what you really want. In order to forget yourself, you put others before you and you don't focus on yourself. So what did she mean?
Then, as I was reading Fruits Basket it hit me. Tohru Honda! Tohru thinks about herself, but no one would realize this because she is always focused on others. She treats people the way she wants to be treated, but at the same time, she protects herself. How you ask? By being generous, loving and kind. It goes back to the third book of the series when Momiji mentions a story they read in class. The Most Foolish Traveler In The World. This story is about a traveler who is always thinking of others and the people of the village use this to their advantage. When the traveler has lost everything, he wanders in the woods where the monsters convince him to give up his arms, legs and soon he is reduced to a head. Once the monster eats the traveler's eyes the monster thanks him and gives him a gift in return. The traveler thanks the monster happily as he dies, saying that this is the only gift he has ever received. The gift itself was a piece of paper with the word "fool" written on it. Momiji goes on to say that after they read the story . . . "Everyone laughed. While they laughed . . . I closed my eyes and thought about the traveler. I thought about the traveler who was tricked into being nothing but a crying head saying, "thank you." And . . . I thought . . . how lucky he was. Loss. . . Suffering . . . it's pointless to think about them. The traveler didn't think about them. That might be stupid to some people . . . but it's not stupid to me. Even though other people probably think he was being tricked, I don’t think he was. I think he did exactly what he wanted to do."
This is the characteristic that makes Tohru misunderstood. She is selfless sometimes, but she is selfish in others. She is always trying to be happy to make others happy.
I think I understand what this quote means now. In a way, to make others happy, you have to be happy yourself. If you're not happy, then the people around you aren't happy either, or they don't want to be with you because they know that you're not happy, and that makes them unhappy. Emotions are contagious things, and I guess Tohru learned that at a young age. So when people say they hate Tohru or they think she's weak, I shake my head. Tohru's strength is in her happiness.
Happiness is not an easy thing to achieve. You have to work at it. and working at happiness is a difficult and soul searching experience. It also varies with different people. Some people can tap into something that makes them happy easily. Some take years before they even think about who they are or what they want to do. Happiness is something you have to earn, and in earning it, you make other people happy too. But with the complications of the world and just life in general, you can't be happy all the time. You can, however, cherish the moments that you were happy and do your best to help others along the way. Finding happiness creates a sense of purpose, and just by seeking happiness out, you lighten the load of burdens that you constantly carry all the time.
You can also look at this as another way of saying, treat others the way you want to be treated, and once you achieve your goal, help someone else get there too. 
So in order to be yourself and help others discover happiness, you must think about yourself to forget yourself.

OUAT Challenge Day 14 : Picture or gif that expresses your reaction to the show.

This show is special to me. We watch it as a family, and all the Disney cameos make me feel like I am back in that world. I love the powerful and positive themes of hope and love. And the fairy tales, being iconic as they already are, have been changed in a way that is interesting and intriguing. I won't say that I agree with all of the portrayals of Disney characters, or even the way the fairy tales are performed, but relating to Emma, her attitude of the world, and her expectations in life, make this show a journey and a story to live as much as watch.
I love a lot of the quotes, but the one that stands out the most is what Mary Margret tells Emma in the first episode.
"What do you think stories are for? They're a way for us to deal with our world, a world that doesn't always make sense." -Mary Margret
And of course
"I gave Henry the book because I wanted him to have the most important thing that anyone can have. Hope. Believing in even the possibility of a happy ending is a very powerful thing."- Mary Margret

I think the popularity of the show is almost psychological. These are characters we all know, and we want them to achieve happiness, especially when they are stuck in situations and misfortunes that we all deal with in life. And Emma is the character for the audience, watching her begin to believe in happiness and discover what really matters in life, makes this show charming and deep at the same time. It's more than archetypes and plot lines. It's a familiar family of characters living life.

Advice?

 

Leaves change

Seasons pass

Wind blows

Memories last

Stories grow

 People fight

Dark Sky 

Bright Sunlight

I ask

No answer

 Troubled mind

Clumsy Dancer

Is life

a scale

with balance

and time?

Inner Turmoil

Or Chaos

Silent cries

Loud mime

A smile

A frown

A road

A path

An anger

A sadness

A tear

A laugh

What life

can be

is up

to you.

Don't lie

Stay strong 

Take time

Be true