Walt Disney said, “If you can dream it, you can do it.”

Did he dream big or what? Today, Disney amusement parks are the best attended theme parks in the world, with over 130 million visitors a year. Nothing else comes close. All the Six Flags parks? Just 26 million. SeaWorld? 23 million.

Walt  knew how to entertain, but more than that: He knew how to inspire!

This is a big anniversary year for Disney: The Mickey Mouse Club began beaming into our homes 60 years ago (on October 3, 1955) and, earlier that same year on July 17, Disneyland opened its gates in California—with multiple TV cameras covering the opening live.

My husband Burton was in Anaheim for that opening and saw Walt Disney there in person. We’ve taken kids and grandkids to Disney World–an enchanting, if exhausting, destination.

I’d bet you have visited at least one of the parks.

Andy Gutman, president of Farbman Group, sends a motivational email to company staff everyday. In a recent message, he reprinted 37 wise and memorable quotes from Disney film characters.

Which do you remember? Here are some of my favorites…

“The things that make me different are the things that make me ME.”
Piglet (Winnie The Pooh)“All it takes is faith and trust.”
Peter Pan (Peter Pan)

“Even miracles take a little time.”
Fairy Godmother (Cinderella)

“If you focus on what you left behind, you will never be able to see what lies ahead.”
Gusteau (Ratatouille)

“Always let your conscience be your guide.”
The Blue Fairy (Pinocchio)

“A true hero isn’t measured by the size of his strength, but by the strength of his heart.”
Zeus (Hercules)

“Don’t just fly. SOAR!”
Dumbo (Dumbo)

“The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem.”
Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean)

“If you don’t know where you want to go, then it doesn’t matter which path you take.”
The Cheshire Cat (Alice in Wonderland)

“I give myself very good advice, but I very seldom follow it.”
Alice (Alice in Wonderland)

“Giving up is for rookies.”
Philoctetes (Hercules)

“I’m only brave when I have to be. Being brave doesn’t mean you go looking for trouble.” Mufasa (The Lion King)

And this one, which I quoted in my book GodSigns, and which helped me keep me going during my struggle with cancer:

“You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” Winnie the Pooh (Pooh’s Most Grand Adventure)

Thanks for the memories, Walt. And the inspiration!

Care to read more on Disney?

Also this week, ReadTheSpirit Editor David Crumm writes about a three-generation spiritual pilgrimage his family undertook to Disney World.