I’m a sucker for a good animated movie. Even more so when the movie has a message that has a deeper meaning.
Enter Turbo.
The movie is about Theo, an underdog snail with big dreams and a deep passion to become the fastest racer in the world. He’s also an outcast to those around him. Though others don’t believe in his abilities to race, Theo never gives up on pursuing his dreams. He lives by this motto:
No dream is too big, and no dreamer is too small.
He’s a snail for the love of Pete. All odds are stacked against him, but after an accident gives him super-speed, he’s not looking so crazy anymore. He winds up at the Indy 500, wins the race, and changes history.
Why? Because he didn’t let fear hold him back. We can’t either.
We have to let our passions outweigh our fears. (Tweet that)
Leave the tomato factory for something more.
Theo worked alongside his older brother and the rest of the snails, waiting for the tomatoes to fall from the vine each day so they could have dinner. While everyone around him settled, too afraid of the unknown to step (or scoot) out into the grass, Theo couldn’t do the routine day in and day out stuff anymore. He knew he was called to something greater.
Getting to that something great requires us to go beyond on what we know.
If you know you’re supposed to do it, then do it.
Theo could have listened to the words of his negative brother and taken his place as just another snail going through the motions, but he choose not to. He didn’t let others’ negativity hold him back. He pursued his dreams, even though his only family member told him he was crazy.
We won’t always do what looks normal to others, and if they’re afraid of change, they won’t support us. Do it anyway, unless of course you’re trying out for American Idol and you just really can’t sing. If that’s the case, listen to them, for your sake and for the millions of viewers watching at home. It’s important to be the best version of you.
Find others dreaming the same dream.
Theo wound up at a run down taco joint where he met a few other outcast snails. On his way to the Indy 500, it was these “out of the box” thinkers supporting him. They knew his dream was crazy, but so was theirs. If he failed he failed, but at least he tried, and he had a cheering section behind him regardless.
If you fail you fail, but at least you tried.
It’s not over until you quit.
At the end of the race, Theo’s shell is broken and he loses his speed. For a split second he ducks for cover in his shell and gives up. But those supporters, and even his previously negative brother, come to his rescue to say, “You were made for more.” He’s only feet away from the finish line and he has a choice. Go for it or quit.
He perseveres and without his super speed, moves inches at a time until he reaches the finish line. Other racers tried to destroy him, but he kept moving forward and didn’t look back. He won what was considered impossible.
When is the last time you strived for the “impossible”?
What a beautifully written post. It’s amazing the life lessons we can learn from a children’s movie, huh? I’m so glad you linked this with the God-Sized Dreams website, it’s a wonderful addition to the link-up!
Thank you Alecia. I’m new to the God-Sized Dreams blog, but I’m loving what you all are doing there. Let me know if you’re ever looking for a guest post.
LOVED this movie & LOVE LOVE LOVE how you paralleled our lives to it! Beautiful & creative post! 🙂 ♥
Thanks so much. I appreciate the encouragement.
From one animated movie lover to another, YES. Turbo is such a sweet story of overcoming limits with determination, friendship. And I love that it’s set in some run-down LA suburb. Not even our location can set our limits! I loved Frozen for it’s sister message to this: that even our own quirks or weaknesses can’t limit us when love’s present. Just picked up your book – looking forward to reading. Glad you linked up at GodSizedDreams.com!
Laurie,
Loved Frozen, too. Been thinking about a blog post. 🙂
Hope you enjoy the book. Thanks so much.