Thanks to tickets from The Mommy Spot, my family and I attended a screening of The Peanuts Movie last Sunday, perfect timing for my oldest daughter’s birthday. True Peanuts fan will love all the familiar quirky Peanuts moments from so many beloved films which have spanned generations: Snoopy’s squeezebox laugh, wa-wa-wa adult voices, the ridiculously infamous Peanuts gang dance moves, the “Christmas Time Is Here” choir and of course, the many cringe-worthy Good Grief moments that only Charlie Brown could deliver.

Like many parents, I grew up watching all the Peanuts films from the holiday Classics such as It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and A Charlie Brown Christmas and even the more obscure lesser know films such as Snoopy Come Home. However, as I watched this very modern, yet still very old fashioned Peanuts story unfold with my family, I realized how much I still love Snoopy and all the Peanuts characters.

For decades, Peanuts fans have loved an underdog and his best friend, Snoopy the dog. Like Charlie Brown, we have all felt the pain of wanting to be accepted and loved. In a social media, self-absorbed, crazy Common Core world, all we really are need the basics: people who love you and a loyal pet.

The Peanuts Movie is a wonderful film for the whole family. (My kids ages 14, 10 and 5 loved it.) There is just the right Red Baron action to keep the thrill-seekers entertained and full of squishy, gooey goodness to stay true to the classic Peanuts plotlines, including Charlie Brown’s undying love for the Red Headed Girl.

In fact, this classic plot in a very contemporary Peanuts film reminded me why I adore the characters, simply because the lessons and the characters have stood the test of time; but most of all, I loved the tear-jerker, golf-ball-in-the-throat moments and the five subtle lessons shared in The Peanuts Movie.

Six Lessons Learned From The Peanuts Movie

1. Believe in yourself.

Confidence is key as is good posture. Stand tall and be proud of what you bring to the table. We all can’t be rock stars, star athletes, great dancers or even scholars, however, know what gifts and talents you can offer and fine tune them. Then, unleash them with finesse, grace and style, smile and a smidge of confidence. Good grief, stand up straight! No slouching!

2. Be yourself.

Be who you are and be proud of it. Own it. Who cares what others think? Sure, they may laugh, criticize or judge. Let them.  It doesn’t matter what anyone else says or thinks. The people who really love you love you for who you are and most importantly, you should love you too.

3. Be honest.

Be honest to others and yourself. Cheating, lying or taking advantage of others may seem like an easy way to get what you want, but eventually, the truth will be revealed.  Honesty is a noble quality. Be transparent and let the truth (and the true you) shine through.

4. Be considerate.

Always lend a helping hand to those in need. Giving has no price tag but to think of other’s is truly a priceless gesture. Give yourself and your time, but simply put, just be present. Even a smile can brighten another’s day. Kindness matters.

5. Keep dreaming.

Dreams are visions of what can be. If we stop dreaming, we stop living life to our fullest potential. Make dreams a reality by setting goals and providing a realistic timeline to achieve a desired goal.  Build a vision board to make an abstract dream a concrete reality and envision the possibilities of what can be.

6. Never give up.

Most great accomplishments are 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. Nothing happens overnight. You can accomplish anything if you put your mind to it. All achievements, no matter how big or small, need just a little stick-to-ness, determination and a lot of hard work.

The Peanuts Movie lands in theaters today, November 6. Visit www.peanutsmovie.com/tickets to check showtimes.

About the Film

Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the beloved “Peanuts” gang make their big-screen debut, like they’ve never been seen before, in state of the art 3D animation. Charlie Brown, the world’s most beloved underdog, embarks upon an epic and heroic quest, while his best pal, the lovable beagle Snoopy, takes to the skies to pursue his arch-nemesis, the Red Baron. From the imagination of Charles M. Schulz and the creators of the ICE AGE films, THE PEANUTS MOVIE will prove that every underdog has his day.