Being Mulan

«My, my, what beautiful blossoms we have this year. But look! This one’s late. But I’ll bet that when it blooms, it will be the most beautiful of all.»

Mulan

The story about Mulan is all about honour and loyalty to her country, on how she managed to strive for good no matter the difficulties she is facing: gender, race, social and political ideologies. She defies what is expected of her: being married, having kids, obey her elders, keep quiet in front of man, etc. People sees her as a troublemaker by trying to help her father by bringing dishonour to her family.

«The Flower That Blooms In Adversity Is The Most Rare And Beautiful Of All.»

Mulan

What I would like to pint out in Mulan’s story is how she is a late-bloomer, she may not be ready for what is expected of her, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have it in her to be a great woman who will bring honour to her family. Perhaps her way is not what is expected, but she will get there. The same thing happens to her mentor-dragon Mushu.

«Maybe I didn’t go for my father. Maybe what I really wanted was to prove I could do things right, so when I looked in the mirror, I’d see someone worthwhile. But I was wrong. I see nothing.»

Mulan

In life there are many things that are expected of us and they come through tradition on how to solve them, but in every person there is a way, a unique way to deal with adversity. That is what makes us genuine, if we follow what is expected we may hurt ourselves by not being true to us, but to others. For example: having a professional career by sacrificing what we truly want.

«No matter how the wind howls, the mountain cannot bow to it.»

Mulan

Perhaps we may feel under-appreciated of lacking the habilites to fight for our dreams, there must be difficult times. What takes us to our dreams, like Mulan, we need to live the following habits:

• Bravery- to face our biggest fears without giving in and doing the right thing
• Loyalty- to maintain the word for benefiting others
• Piousness- to respect and obey their parents
• Perseverance- to keep up fighting for what is hard without falling apart
• Order- to have priorities and act on them accordingly
• Solidarity- to act for a common goal
• Meekness- to be submissive against an authority
• Hard work- to dedicate in the job you are without missing deadlines
• Prudence- to think before acting
• Observance- to obey and respect the authority
• Honour- the most important virtue in Mulan’s story, to guard the good image of her family and friends

Having this habits or virtues prove that if we constantly strive for greatness, then we will become great, it is a matter of hard work and self-leadership to earn what we have been fighting for. Start with little actions until they become whole virtues.