“Soul” is a Pixar animated film about a jazz musician named Joe Gardner who learns about passion, fear, and change. Throughout the movie, Joe encounters a variety of characters. And experiences that teach him valuable lessons about the meaning of life and the importance of living in the moment.
Here are 15 life lessons that can be learned from “Soul”
Follow your passions and pursue your dreams.
One of the central themes of the film is the importance of following your passions and pursuing your dreams. Throughout the movie, Joe is faced with various challenges and setbacks in his quest to become a successful musician. But he never gives up on his dream.
One of the most poignant moments in the film comes when Joe’s mentor, Dorothea Williams, encourages him to keep chasing his dreams. Saying,
You gotta chase it. The thing that lights you up, that thing you can’t wait to do. You gotta chase it with everything you’ve got.
This quote highlights the importance of pursuing one’s passions with all of one’s heart and soul. It suggests that when we follow our passions and pursue our dreams, we are more likely to find happiness and fulfillment in life. This lesson is an important reminder to us all to follow our passions and pursue our dreams. No matter how big or small they may be.
Don’t let fear hold you back.
Another quote that speaks to the dangers of letting fear hold you back is when Joe’s mother tells him,
You can’t let fear hold you back. You can’t let what others think of you dictate your path.
This quote emphasizes the importance of ignoring the opinions of others and following one’s own passions and dreams. Even if it means taking risks and facing challenges.
Overall, “Soul” teaches viewers that letting fear hold them back can prevent them from achieving their goals and living fulfilling lives. It encourages viewers to face their fears and pursue their passions with determination and perseverance.
Cherish the relationships and people you love.
In the film, the main character, Joe, learns the importance of cherishing the relationships and people he loves. As he journeys through the Great Before. He meets 22, a soul who has lost sight of the joy and beauty in life. Through their interactions, Joe realizes the value of his relationships and the people he loves, and how they bring meaning and purpose to his life.
This lesson is reflected in the quote by 22, who says,
Everything you love, everything that’s worth doing, it’s all a part of you. It’s all a part of your soul.
This emphasizes the idea that our connections with others are an integral part of who we are and contribute to our overall happiness and fulfillment.
Take time to appreciate the beauty and wonder in the world around you.
One of the key lessons is the importance of taking time to appreciate the beauty and wonder in the world around us. As Joe travels through the Great Before, he learns to appreciate the simple pleasures in life and the beauty of the world around him.
This lesson is reflected in the quote by Jerry, who says,
You gotta appreciate the little things, man. The air, the trees, the grass. It’s all a miracle.
This emphasizes the idea that by taking the time to slow down and appreciate the beauty and wonder in the world, we can find joy and meaning in our daily lives.
Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable and express your emotions.
Another key lesson in the film is the importance of being vulnerable and expressing our emotions. Joe learns that it is okay to be vulnerable and open about his feelings. And that doing so can bring depth and richness to our relationships and experiences.
This lesson is reflected in the quote by Joe’s mother, who says,
It’s okay to feel things. It’s what makes us human.
This emphasizes the idea that being open and authentic about our emotions allows us to connect with others in a deeper, more meaningful way, and can bring us closer together.
Another quote that captures this sentiment is by character 22, who says,
Sometimes the things that feel the scariest are the things that are the most worth doing.
This suggests that by being brave and vulnerable, we can overcome our fears and grow as individuals.
Don’t let setbacks or failures define you.
Joe learns that it is important to keep trying and not give up, even when faced with challenges and obstacles. This lesson is reflected in the quote by Joe’s mother, who says,
You gotta get up and try again.
This emphasizes the idea that we should not be discouraged by setbacks or failures, but rather use them as opportunities to learn and grow. Another quote that captures this sentiment is by the character Jerry, who says,
The only way to fail is if you don’t try.
This suggests that by persevering and not giving up, we can overcome challenges and achieve our goals.
It’s never too late to change your path and start living your best life.
This resonates with me. In the film, Joe learns that it is never too late to pursue his dreams and follow his passions, no matter how old he is. This lesson is reflected in the quote by character 22, who says,
It’s never too late to start living your best life.
This emphasizes the idea that we are never too old or too late to make changes and pursue our dreams. Another quote that captures this sentiment is by the character Jerry, who says,
There’s always time to do the things you love.
This suggests that by making the effort to follow our passions and pursue our dreams, we can create a fulfilling and meaningful life for ourselves.
Embrace change and be open to new experiences.
In the Pixar film “Soul,” the main character, Joe Gardner, learns to embrace change and be open to new experiences. One quote that demonstrates this lesson is when 22, a character representing the essence of a person, says,
Life is all about change. It’s the only thing that’s certain.
Another quote from the film that showcases the importance of embracing change and being open to new experiences is when Joe’s mentor, Jerry, says,
You gotta be open to new things, Joe. That’s how you grow.
These quotes highlight the message that change and new experiences are essential for personal growth and development.
Take care of your physical and mental health.
One quote that demonstrates this message is when 22, a character representing the essence of a person, says,
The body is just the vessel. It’s the soul that matters.
This quote highlights the idea that taking care of one’s physical health is important in order to support the well-being of the soul. Another quote that touches on the importance of mental health is when Joe Gardner, the main character, says,
I feel like I’m losing my mind. I’m just spinning my wheels.
This quote demonstrates the negative impact that neglecting one’s mental health can have. Overall, “Soul” teaches the importance of taking care of both physical and mental health for overall well-being.
Practice gratitude and focus on the positive things in your life.
In the Pixar film “Soul,” the main character, Joe Gardner, learns to practice gratitude and focus on the positive things in his life. One quote that demonstrates this lesson is when Joe’s mentor, Jerry, says,
You gotta find the joy in your life, man. The little things.
This quote highlights the idea that it is important to focus on and appreciate the positive aspects of one’s life, even if they may seem small. Another quote that touches on the concept of gratitude is when Joe’s mother, Libba, says,
I know things haven’t been easy, but we gotta be grateful for what we got.
This quote emphasizes the importance of being thankful for what one has, even in difficult circumstances. Overall, “Soul” teaches the value of practicing gratitude and focusing on the positive things in life.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
In the film “Soul,” character 22 learns that it’s okay to ask for help when you need it. As 22 grapples with her newfound existence as a soul, she is aided by the character Joe Gardner who reminds her,
You can’t do it alone. You need help.
This lesson is echoed by the character Jerry who advises 22,
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. It’s the bravest thing you can do.
These quotes emphasize the importance of seeking support and assistance from others, especially when faced with challenges or obstacles. It’s a valuable lesson that applies not only in the world of “Soul,” but in our own lives as well.
Be kind and compassionate towards others.
In the film “Soul,” the characters learn the importance of being kind and compassionate toward others. Joe Gardner advises 22,
You gotta be kind to people. It’s the only way we’re gonna make it.
This message is also conveyed by the character Jerry who says,
Be kind to everyone you meet. You never know what kind of day they’re having.
These quotes highlight the impact that simple acts of kindness can have on others and the importance of showing compassion towards those around us. It’s a valuable lesson that not only helps to create a more positive and supportive community but also brings joy and fulfillment to those who practice it.
Embrace your unique qualities and talents.
In the film “Soul,” the characters learn to embrace their unique qualities and talents. Character Joe Gardner tells 22,
You are unique. And that’s what makes you special.
This message is echoed by Jerry who advises 22,
Embrace what makes you different. That’s what makes you you.
These quotes encourage the importance of celebrating and embracing one’s unique qualities and talents, rather than trying to fit in or conform to societal norms. It’s a valuable lesson that reminds us to embrace our individuality and to be proud of who we are.
Learn from your mistakes and use them as opportunities for growth.
In the film “Soul,” the characters learn the importance of learning from their mistakes and using them as opportunities for growth. Character Joe Gardner (voiced by Jamie Foxx) tells 22 (voiced by Tina Fey),
You can’t let your mistakes define you. You gotta learn from them and move on.
This message is supported by the character Jerry (voiced by Daveed Diggs) who advises 22,
Every mistake is an opportunity to learn and grow.
These quotes emphasize the value of resilience and the importance of not dwelling on past mistakes, but rather using them as opportunities to learn and improve. It’s a valuable lesson that encourages us to embrace challenges and failures as opportunities for growth and self-improvement.
Always strive to be the best version of yourself.
In the movie “Soul,” the characters are reminded of the importance of always striving to be the best version of themselves. Joe Gardner tells 22,
You gotta be the best version of yourself, every day.
This message is supported by Jerry who advises 22,
Be the best you, you can be.
These quotes encourage the importance of personal growth and self-improvement. It reminds us to always strive to be the best version of ourselves. It inspires us to be our best selves, both personally and professionally.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Pixar’s animated movie “Soul” offers a multitude of valuable lessons that can be applied to our daily lives. It emphasizes the importance of following one’s passions, taking risks, and valuing the present moment.
It also highlights the power of music, art, and compassion to bring joy and connect people in meaningful ways. Additionally, the movie encourages viewers to appreciate and value diversity, embrace imperfections, and find purpose and meaning in life. Ultimately, “Soul” reminds us to embrace and enjoy the journey of life, rather than just focusing on the destination.
What lesson resonates with you?
