Man Versus Mouse

Vol 40. Summer Travel Issue. June 20, 2023

American animator, film producer and entrepreneur, Walt Disney instilled hope in the human heart. He once said, “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”

Disney was both an idealist and a realist. He made his dreams come true. His philosophy: “If you can dream it, you can do it.”

Today, Disney World is a dream come true for fans worldwide. Beloved by children of all ages, visited by 58 million people every year, it’s one of America’s top tourist destinations.

“It’s kind of fun to do the impossible,” Walt Disney said.

Why do so many people love Disney World? Why do so many people return again and again to the “Happiest Place on Earth?” What’s the magic behind the Magic Kingdom?

One word: Kindness. Disney employees extend loving-kindness to everyone they meet. Visitors get “high” off that unexpected, positive treatment. Many return annually for more goodness.

Oddly enough, loving-kindness is also the prevailing ethic of Buddhism. The technical term in the Pali language is metta.

Theravada Buddhist monks recite the Sutra on Loving-kindness (Metta-Sutta) every day. An excerpt:

This is what should be done by the wise,
the one who seeks the good and knows the meaning of peace.

Do nothing that is mean.
Do not deceive another, or despise anyone in any state. Do not, through anger or ill-will, wish anyone any harm.

Even as a mother watches over her child,
so with a boundless mind, cherish all living beings.
Radiate friendliness over the entire world, without limit. During all waking hours, establish this mindfulness of good will. It is called the highest state.

May all beings be happy and at their ease. May they be joyous and live in safety.

Mothers teach this sutra when they teach children to say the magic words. “Please” and “thank you” unlock the castle of kindness.

Growing up, we stop being polite. We get busy with self-centered agendas, and we end up living in the woods with the wolves. Buddhism says, “Come back to the Magic Kingdom.”

Walt Disney advises, “The greatest moments in life are not concerned with selfish achievements, but rather with the things we do for the people we love.”

Your family, your household, your place of work, your country — any place you visit — can be the Happiest Place on Earth as long as your prevailing ethic is kindness.

Human beings act kindly. Animals act selfishly.

In the game of Man versus Mouse, be a human being. Don’t reincarnate as a rodent, except for a rodent like Mickey Mouse.

Then, perhaps, all our dreams will come true.