“ Just keep swiming .” - Dory
DORY ’ S WORLD : Oh , Dory . The loveable , unforgettable little royal blue tang who forgets everything .
We first met Dory in Finding Nemo . And , let ’ s be honest , she stole the show . While the animation in the film was breathtaking ( and not just because it was underwater ), everyone left the theater quoting Dory and laughing along with her good humor . She is so full of hope but remembers nothing — well , except how to speak whale .
While on her adventure with Marlin , Dory begins to fear being left behind . She says , “ Please don ’ t go away . Please ? No one ’ s ever stuck with me so long before .”
Our generally optimistic , just-keep-swimming friend is afraid of being left behind .
And this makes sense .
We learn in Finding Dory that Dory has been lost from her parents for a long time . As a young fish , she forgot how to get back home . This is why she fears being left behind — it ’ s happened before .
Of course , Dory finds her family in the end . ( This is Disney we ’ re talking about .) Everything is happy . Everything is beautiful .
Things may look bleak for Dory ( in both movies ), but that simple , just-keep-swimming attitude points her in the right direction every time .
OUR WORLD : While I wouldn ’ t wish my short-term memory away , there is something to be learned from Dory . So much of life feels divided . Conflict rages .
Maybe you ' ve been holding a grudge or struggling through bitterness in a relationship . What would it feel like to forget about that ? To free your mind ?
So many times , we fight and break relationships over silly things . We could all do with a little more forgiveness . I know I need it . What about you ?
A friend and I recently had a bit of a falling out over something — politics , actually . It shouldn ’ t have happened . She reached out to me , telling me that the situation had left her feeling heartbroken .
Friends , it shouldn ’ t be like this . We talked , after months of not talking , and we ’ re working it out . We remembered that we enjoyed our friendship and that the argument was not that important .
It is much easier to move forward if we ’ re willing to stop holding on to the past .
So , what I ’ m saying is , “ When life gets you down , you know what you gotta do ?” Be like Dory , and “ just keep swimming .”
BY BRIAN MCCUMSEY
Finding Nemo – The Musical is being revamped for 2022 . PHOTO BY JUDD HELMS