I have watched the 2021 Disney animated movie “Encanto” quite a few times. Yet, I still found myself reflecting on each of the characters, realizing with amazement that each one resonates with me in a particular way.

At first, I thought I am somehow (but not exactly) like Mirabel when I see myself as being different from other people and when I feel like there is nothing special in me, making wanting to prove my worth to myself and to others while not fully accepting that it is what I was really trying to do.

Then, I thought I relate a bit to Luisa whenever I feel pressured to always be strong and I feel guilty and worried whenever I have been weak and cannot meet the demands and expectations of others (people-pleasing, here we go again).

Or maybe, I am also like Isabela whenever I feel like I should always be a good girl who is ‘perfect’, always successful, always well-balanced, always producing only what’s beautiful, but has always been longing to just be real and true.

Restored and Renewed

Right now, I just realized that I may really be like Casita. The ‘home’ that people always count on to, that does even little things that help and delight others, but whose cracks are only seen by one person or two.

And when the candlelight dims and dies, all the hidden wounds are exposed–raw and profound. Then, she crumbles, falls, and shatters to the ground, but not before doing everything she can and giving everything she got to help save another person.

And just like the Casita in the movie, she will be rebuilt again with a ‘New Foundation’, restored and renewed, more sturdy, more authentic, and longer-lasting this time. And the light will not only shine but burn again.

Gradually Being Healed

I know now that I don’t need to carry all the burden and to solve every problem by myself. I need help. I must allow others, most especially God, to help me.

He never gets tired of telling the Luisa in me that it’s okay to not always be strong and to take some rest; reminding my Isabela part that she doesn’t always need to look and feel pretty but to just be true self–spontaneous, expressive, and real; assuring my Mirabel that she is unique and there’s nothing wrong with that, so she doesn’t need to prove herself or to become someone she’s not.

I have hope that I can learn, like Abuela towards the end of the movie, to heal from the past and to allow myself to be vulnerable again; to trust instead of being scared to lose what I have; to see not only people’s gifts but that the people themselves are the gift; to never forget the purpose of being and of having what we have been given.

🌷🌻🌺