I like to think of myself as a storyteller. I love creating stories and characters — immersing myself in magical worlds, and getting lost in someone else’s universe. It’s a privilege to think creatively — to tell a story in a unique, defining way. Storytelling has shaped who I am from the moment I knew how to use my imagination.
That explains why I’ve always gravitated toward the stories that Disney tells. When most people think of Disney, they think of princesses or cartoon characters. I’m talking about major franchises such as Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar and National Geographic. They’re all vastly different, yet they never fail to take their audience on unforgettable journeys.
With Disney celebrating their 100th anniversary, I took a moment to reflect on how these stories have shaped who I am.
Disney has been with me for most of my life. When I was old enough to understand movies, I remember watching “The Lion King,” “Finding Nemo,” and all the princess movies.
My parents took me to Disneyland when I was about seven years old. My brother made me watch the first “Iron Man” movie when it was released. I didn’t understand much, but I enjoyed everything I watched. It made me bounce with joy in my seat, and filled me with genuine brightness.
Back then, it was just fun. Now, I can recognize it as magic.
That magic stems from my Disney-filled childhood. Every time I hear the Disney theme song, I get chills. Every time I see how their stories evolve with their characters, it’s hard not to shed a tear. Every time, I feel like I’m a curious child again.
I’ve always thought Disney was destined to be in my life. My interests have somewhat revolved around it — my attachment to the Marvel universe expanded into a general love of superheroes. My excitement about every single Disney Pixar movie made me appreciate storytelling on a deeper level.
I am a byproduct of what would happen if you combined all the elements of Disney and made it into a person. I’m a walking Disney thesaurus. I know everything, and I’m still eager to learn more.
It would be a dream come true if I could work for Disney as a storyteller. I want to be a part of that everyday magic they cultivate.
Thank you, Disney. The stories you’ve told and the messages you’ve spread live on in every person. It should come as no surprise that the worlds you’ve created are my safe spaces.
If, by any chance, a Disney recruiter is reading this article — sorry that this was corny. Please hire me. I’ll do anything.
