I have come to realize over the past 24 hours that I honestly can trace many important lessons from my childhood back to Shirley Temple films. I was OBSESSED wit them and, growing up, would usually get a new one from our local public library every week to watch. Those dusty old VHS tapes were one of my favorite and taught me some SERIOUSLY valuable lessons about positivity, which (as I learned in a three-hour professional development) is CRUCIAL to being a good teacher. SO, while the overal SHIRLEY message I got was,

I decided to figure out what specific lessons or tenets of living I could trace back to the dimpled little darling of the 30’s.

1.) S-M-I-L-E to be H-A-Double-P-Y!

I don’t think I have to spell the significance out for you anymore than Shirley already does! You get the idea!

2.) Come and Get your Happiness!

It is on you to initiate happiness in your life. Lord knows, Shirley usual plays either an orphan, an abandoned child or the offspring of a single parent. . . . she doesn’t have it easy, but her characters always stay cheery!

3.) Express your feelings OUTLANDISHLY whenever possible / Tell the people you love how much they mean to you!

The song “If All The World Were Paper!” is stinking ADORABLE and makes me want to do a Valentine’s day Shirley Temple marathon!

4.) Take compliments when they’re given!

Nothing is worse than being a bad compliment taker, especially when a compliment is offered with sincerity! Respect the compliment giver and just take it, even if it’s not your favorite moment in life.

5.) Imagination is key. Oh, and fake accents.

This might be one of my favorite movie song seqences of all time, which is REALLY saying something.

6.) Perform well.

(note: this includes incorporation of costumes)

7.) Lullabies are IMPORTANT. Also, don’t take any nonsense, particularly from pets!

I love how cute and little-girl-ish responsible Shirley is in this clip. I used to tuck my dolls in for bed too!

8.) The early bird gets the worm!

9.) Life’s a Ball, even if you’re a codfish.

10.) Be Optimistic.

Stop mourning everything and brighten the space around you by being intentionally optimistic!

11.) Curly hair = Joy

12) Candy is a wonderful treat!

13.) Play with your food.

14.) Love The Rain!

15.) Pink Tulle = Celebrity Status

16.) Dance, even if you’re an orphan.

17.) Find the humor. LAUGH. You son of a gun.

18.) Keep with Traditions!

19.) Foster a deep and abiding love of Old-fashioned SWING!

There is just too much amazing music in this world to only  enjoy the top 10 charts!

20.) Sometimes you should worry more about content than quality!

21.) Occasionally, even prickly butlers will dance!

Also, faking an accent can be highly fun.

22.) Simplicity is key. Promote relaxation.

23.) Wash.

24.) It is not unusual to dress as a young Marie Antoinette and vehemently, repetitively sing the word “la” with a Portly man in suspenders.

25.) Advocate for your rights.

26.) Singing is a good way to memorize difficult material. Especially Math.

27.) There’s nothing wrong with Twilight. Oh, and don’t be superficial.

28.) Sing. All Day.

29.) The first most wonderful man in your life should be your dad!

30.) When something is good, feel free to use it again in the future!

Also: help cupid whenever possible!