Two Very Grown-Up Lessons We Can All Learn from Cartoons

Adult life is chaotic. We have bills, student loans, work, household chores that just aren't going to finish themselves... With all the hustle, it's easy to let emotional self-maintenance fall to the wayside. Whenever I find a spare moment, I try to fix that by sitting down and watching cartoons. It may sound a little strange, but not only do they keep my mood optimistic, they also help me remember what really matters in life. Here are just a couple of ideas cast forth by shows deemed “just for kids” that have helped me keep my cool under the pressure of being a grown-up.

1. The line between friendship and rivalry is paper thin. 
At the end of the day, most of us are simply trying to do what we feel is right for ourselves, the people we love, and the world around us as we perceive it to be. This includes our horrible bosses, snarky co-workers and rigid professors. It's important to try to empathize with others, especially those we feel are villains in our stories. Be kind in spite of the frustration and you might be pleasantly surprised by the results. Lesson learned from My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.

2. Laugh it off. 
When things don't go the way we planned, kicking and screaming typically makes everything worse. Rather than exhausting ourselves by railing against life's many changes, it's better for our bodies and our minds that we learn to have a sense of humor about them. Life has a habit of being nonsensical. Relax and enjoy the ride. Lesson learned from Adventure Time.

Photo courtesy of supertuffpinkpuff.deviantart.com.