It's been a while since I watched something worthwhile on TV, and "Steven Universe," surprisingly, is one of those that make a lot sense. Given the fact that it is a cartoon show targeting mostly kids, it actually does an awesome job of throwing sophisticated life tips and pieces of advice for adults as well. This "just a kid's show" is obviously doing it better in sending treasurable points than any other TV series or cartoon shows these days.
Talking about adult shows today that reveal shameful happenings in real life, scandalous, and morbid, "Steven Universe" is something that we as adults should see to appreciate the better side of this already chaotic world. In fact, this show instantly became popular among people from all ages.
It's nothing like "Flintstones" or "Pokemon or "Sponge Bob" that I think send out mostly entertainment values (Okay, yes, they have a few life lessons as well). But the way Rebecca Sugar created this masterpiece was crafty. Despite the simple sketches of "Steven Universe," the message it portrays earned every episode of it good ratings so far.
The hiatus of the show in the middle of its season 4 has obviously frustrated a lot of fans, all because they can't see their favorite little hero for reasons that they don't even know. Good thing Cartoon Network decided to air it back real soon.
"Steven Universe," if you have seen its first four seasons, had a lot of captivating messages. And if you haven't seen any of its episodes yet, I can assure you it has a lot of themes and narratives that are pretty much captivating for grown ups.
You will even be shocked at how mature the messages it convey.
What do I like most about this show? Well, you might start appreciating Steven if you find out how much he inspired a lot of good things to come in my life...and others as well.
"Steven Universe" tells us to be confident with ourselves and not to let anyone dictate us who we are. We cannot control the opinions of others. People might throw a lot of garbage to us, but we should not identify ourselves as trash because we were simply seen as such. Every person is unique (and it's already a cliché but I'm using it anyway) and each one of us holds something worthy of praise.
A particular episode in "Steven Universe" placed the protagonist in a depressing state when he was called by Mr. Smiley as the cruelest creature and the others who were present at that time agreed. Honestly, being humiliated in front of many people can really give one a disturbing effect; one that actually lingers. Oftentimes we tend to sulk in an embarrassing moment most especially when we were used to getting love than hate.
But this "Tiger Millionaire" episode showed how we should recover from such kinds of encounters. We were never made perfect and we have to accept the fact that we can't always please everyone as much as we can't please everyone. We are never in control of others feelings but we are in control of ours. We don't ask for anyone to hate us, and if they do even if we aren't actually giving them the reasons to feel so, then let them be. They are entitled for their own opinion and feelings and that does not have to affect us gravely. Move on and don't mind them. For as long as you know you are in the right place, then there is nothing to be depressed about.
Amethyst was the one who dropped an amazing advice in this episode. She told Steven, "Those are just words people use to describe how they feel about you." And let me finish her short sentence with, "but it doesn't mean that who they're describing is actually you."
We all make mistakes but should learn from them. Steven was so good at that throughout the series. He was different from other Gems because he is half human, half gem. Making mistakes is in his nature. So if people come to hate you for your mistakes, stand up and improve. Not stay down and spend the rest of your life feeling pressed-down.
It's always good to be yourself and to lover yourself.
Best advise ever. You don't have to change yourself just so you would fit in or so others will love you. You have your own identity. Live with it. Love it. And eventually improve it without swaying away from who you really are.
Most of us are willing to do things so we can get acceptance. In a way, it is right since we are all social beings and we have to adjust with the environment we are in, but we don't have to pretend to be someone who we are not.
In the 14th episode of season 1, the importance of self-identity was creatively illustrated. Lars was trying so hard to get along with the "cool" kids yet he was still placed outside the circle because he ended up being self-centered and worse, erratic. Steven, on the other hand, did nothing other than being himself and he was welcomed by the "cool kids." This led Lars to mistreat Steven. The boy hero then asked everyone over the cliff to see the flowers blossom and told them that it was Lars' idea so they would finally like him.
This particular scene showed how burdening it is to pretend to be someone else. Our obsession for acceptance sometimes leads us to do inappropriate things or even make us hurt other people.
You wouldn't want that, I'm sure. While you might be accepted for your make-belief self, others will soon find out who you really are most especially when you are already comfortable with them, and showing your true colors can't be covered up anymore. If people don't like you, don't force them to. There will always be someone who can jive along well with you.
Races may distinct us from others but it should not divide us.
This has been a very big issue ever since, I don't know...maybe since people found out that their color is different from others. Discrimination has always been around and criticisms can't be stopped. The show was very much loved by different people from different race - or different genders too - and fans have been expressing their huge appreciation for the show during the recently concluded Comic-Con. Fans have been very vocal during the even about how the show made them realize that every person is special. It was like M.Jackson's "Black or White" song was relived that day.
"Steven Universe" is actually a show that promotes acceptance among different races. Steven is a very obvious representation of mixed-races as well as the symbol of acceptance.
Being a half-human and half-gem, Steven easily gets along well with both gems and humans, or simply just anyone. The boy wonder even loves the fact that he can adjust well to both creatures. This made him a very effective defender of the earth because he understands the needs of the human race and he knows how to defend them with his being a gem. See how fine it will work out if only people stopped categorizing themselves according to races, or gender, or characteristics, or skills, or whatever.
It's even funny how children these days understand this concept better than the older people. I'd say one of the kids today - who love "Steven Universe" - who will soon be a president or an international leader will do well in uniting different people.
And apart from the racial differences being addressed in the show, gender equality and acceptance of sexuality are also strongly suggested. As it is very obvious that lesbian and gay love are common these days, the show suggests that such kind of love won't hurt the world and should find a place in the society. Sugar, for one, is a proud bisexual. It is even claimed that the show's take on gender and sexuality is very mature, complex, might just be the boldest thing on TV.
Change is constant so learn how to accept the changes.
We are divided with the opinion on people-change/people-don't-change topic. While a group can believe that people can't change who they are, another group will insist that they can. Life is actually about changes or let's say life is all about "improvements" or "getting worse." Still, changes are what trigger those to happen.
Most of us struggle when it already comes to dealing with the changes in our lives. If you don't make yourself strong in the changes coming into your life, you might end up getting consumed until you finally lose control of yourself.
Peridot was seen in whining for the fact that she might not be able to go back to Homeworld. But in the "Gem Drill" episode, she said that it might be hard to accept that she can never see her real world again. She had a real hard time in dealing with this reality but in the end, she accepted Earth as her new home, decided to rather enjoy it, and she started to make the most of her life.
Changes are not bad. We just have to make sure that we choose "better" over "worse." There are a lot of things in life that we cannot control and change is one of them. Instead of fighting life, choose to live life. Embrace it and make the most out of it. Life is so beautiful anyway to waste it.
Positivity - Always look at the beauty in things and others.
We will never fully understand why other people do what they do. It is only them who will know their motives. This often leads us to jump into conclusions. Rather than taking time to figure things our correctly or talking to others about certain issues, we choose to settle on what's easier and more convenient, and that is assuming or concluding.
Pearl has been constantly sharing how Rose Quartz saw the beauty in everything. This is actually why she defended the earth from their common kind. Rose tried to understand how Earth works and she saw something interesting that is worthy of her appreciation. Basically, Rose showed us here how to give something or someone a chance to showcase its beauty. While we are already used to something, we can still be open to other things as we unravel them.
The inner beauty may not be as prominent as the outside, but it is always the inside that will make us stay. This is especially true in love. We may be attracted to someone physically beautiful, but their character is what will make us stay long in that love.
It's really astonishing how a kid's show delivers all of these life lessons. So the next time your kids insist on watching "Steven Universe," you might want to sit down with them and watch.
