Life Lessons Taught by Your Favorite Cartoons

Remember those mornings you spent as a kid entertaining yourself with cartoons over a bowl of sugary cereal? I certainly do, and I never wanted that time to end. My mom would pull at my shirt and say, “Listen Adam, you’re going to learn much more in school than you will in these silly cartoons.”

Life Lessons Taught by Your Favorite Cartoons

After a lengthy hiatus in my young adult years, I decided to revisit some of my old favorites in order to find out what it was that captivated my ADD riddled attention span. The first thing to hit me was a wave of nostalgic innocence, but then something peculiar came to my attention. I found that within most of these cartoons the characters taught important lessons that I had subconsciously adopted and programmed into my everyday life. I could finally call my mother back up and say, “Remember when you told me cartoons wouldn’t teach me anything? Well check out this new article on Strong Whispers…”

Ed, Edd, and Eddy Never Gave Up

Whenever I watched this show all I ever wanted was to see the three hooligans get the ever-elusive jawbreaker candy. I wouldn’t argue that assembling scams out of junkyard scraps is an ideal way to succeed, but the kids did teach me an important lesson about persistence. In life, there are a lot of goals that won’t just roll to your feet.

The most challenging tasks are often the most rewarding, but you have to be willing to face failure and continue to strive towards your goals. What is your metaphorical jawbreaker? A good job? A fulfilling relationship? Regardless of the scale, approach the problem with an attitude like Ed, Edd, and Eddy and you’re bound to find success.

SpongeBob and the Power of Optimism

“I’M READY!” were the first words that SpongeBob would shout out on his daily commute to work. Most people look more like reluctant zombies when heading to their job in the morning. In the SpongeBob SquarePants series, you learn that optimism will always lead to happiness. SpongeBob works a mundane job with a crummy boss and his everyday life is far from lavish.

He indulges in the small things that makes him happy which helps him avoid disappointment and stress. His neighbor Squidward serves as a comparative lesson. His constant pessimism leads to a commonly miserable existence.

Scooby Doo and Working Together

When you saw the mystery team spoil an elaborate hoax aimed at selfish gain, you would hear the villain say something along the lines of, “I would’ve gotten away with it if it weren’t for you meddling kids.” The villain would address the characters as a team because that’s exactly how they solved all of their problems.

Each episode requires the characters to split up and contribute to solving the mystery in their own way. In school and the workplace the same concept applies. You will always solve your problems quickly if you are willing to use the help of others.

The Rugrats Needed Leaders and Followers

The first thing I learned from the Rugrats is that you should always keep a spare screwdriver in your diaper. The second however, is far more valuable. The group of babies is constantly being guided through adventures by their leader Tommy. He is a lot like the boss-type people that run our modern society.

The show doesn’t demean the necessity of his followers either. Tommy isn’t an oppressive leader and he frequently uses the input of his friends to guide their quests. This shows that if you are going to be the person to lead, provide guidance instead of being subjective.

What were your favorite cartoons as a kid? Did they teach any valuable lessons? Share your thoughts with a comment below.

Image Credits: olesiabilkei/BigStock.com

Darlene Strand

One of the cute cartoons I watched at age six, was the girl character on POPEYE, ‘Oliveoyl’ I would ask mom, “Why is she so skinny?”. “She runs away from doing her chores…she doesn’t eat her food! But, you need to eat. Come and eat breakfast!”. Mother would turn off the television, while me and my brothers ate. Tom and Jerry..cartoon was liked by my little brother. He was a fan of the little mouse character. Once I asked , “Luc, why you watching them so much?”…Tom the cat, he picks on little Jerry the mouse. “Little Jerry isn’t afraid of Tommy. I’m going to take care of myself like like Jerry, I won’t let anyone hurt me!”
Jenaia Williams

Great article! There was also Teen Titans, way before Teen Titans Go! That show taught the lesson of friendship, working together, teenage issues, and a lot more. This is a very good idea for an article. I’m impressed. Keep it up.
abdul karim

“Beyond Laughter: Uncovering Profound Lessons from Childhood Cartoons”

Introduction:
As a child, the mornings spent immersed in the vibrant world of cartoons were a source of joy and escapism. Many of us might recall being told that these animated shows were mere entertainment, lacking any real substance. However, revisiting these childhood favorites as a young adult revealed a surprising depth of life lessons embedded within the seemingly whimsical narratives.

Courageous Persistence: Lessons from Ed, Edd, and Eddy

The misadventures of Ed, Edd, and Eddy weren’t just about scheming for jawbreakers; they held a hidden gem of wisdom. Amidst the chaos, the trio displayed unwavering persistence. Life’s most rewarding goals often demand perseverance and resilience. By adopting the trio’s tenacity, we learn that setbacks are merely stepping stones toward success, regardless of the scale of our aspirations.
SpongeBob’s Optimism: A Recipe for Happiness

SpongeBob SquarePants, with his infectious optimism, demonstrated that a mundane job and life’s challenges need not overshadow our happiness. Shouting “I’M READY!” every morning wasn’t just a catchphrase; it was a mantra for approaching life with enthusiasm. In a world often marred by pessimism, SpongeBob teaches us the transformative power of maintaining a positive outlook and finding joy in life’s simple pleasures.
Teamwork Triumphs: Scooby-Doo’s Collaborative Spirit

Solving mysteries with Scooby-Doo and the gang taught us that teamwork is an invaluable asset. Each character brought unique skills to the table, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in overcoming challenges. Whether in school or the workplace, the lesson remains clear: embracing the diversity of skills and perspectives within a team leads to more effective problem-solving and success.
Rugrats’ Leadership Dynamics: Balancing Authority and Collaboration

Beyond the amusing antics of babies with a penchant for adventure, Rugrats unveiled a lesson in leadership dynamics. Tommy, the group’s leader, exemplified effective leadership by valuing the input of his friends. The show subtly emphasized that leadership isn’t about dominance but about providing guidance and fostering collaboration. The Rugrats showcase the importance of being a leader who listens and values the contributions of every team member.
Conclusion:
Childhood cartoons, often dismissed as mere entertainment, contain valuable lessons that transcend the animated realm. Ed, Edd, and Eddy teach us the virtue of persistence, SpongeBob SquarePants instills the power of optimism, Scooby-Doo emphasizes the effectiveness of teamwork, and the Rugrats offer insights into balanced leadership dynamics. As we revisit these nostalgic favorites, we realize that the laughter they brought was accompanied by enduring wisdom that shaped the perspectives of many, proving that even in the world of animation, profound life lessons await those willing to learn.