Together We Rise: A Lesson from Moana 2

This weekend, I had the joy of taking my almost 17-year-old daughter, Isabeau, and her friends to watch Moana 2. As the movie unfolded, one phrase stood out to me: Together we rise.

On the drive home, I asked the kids what they thought about that message. How could they see it influencing their daily lives? In true teenager fashion, they turned the tables.

“What about you, Mom? What does it mean to you?”

Their question caught me off guard, and I took a moment before answering.

“You know,” I began, “for the past few years, I’ve tried to live by that idea, together we rise. It’s a beautiful thought, but living it out isn’t always easy.”

I explained that it’s one thing to believe in rising together, but taking action can be messy, slow, and uncertain. People don’t always see your heart or your intentions right away. We’re wired to protect ourselves, to be cautious, and that’s okay.

I’ve also learned that you don’t have to change people. Sometimes, you just need to adjust yourself to fit into a bigger and better purpose. That doesn’t mean losing who you are, it means leaning into patience, honesty, and sincerity. But I’ll admit, it took me a while to learn this. I used to think that if I just explained myself better, if I tried harder, things would fall into place. But over time, I realized it’s not about pushing others to change, it’s about meeting them where they are.

And I made sure they understood something else. “I’m not a saint,” I told them. “I have many many bad days, and I have some good days. Some days I stumble. But I always try to get back up and stay true to what matters most.”

For me, together we rise isn’t just about work. It’s about how I try to lead my life, lifting those around me in small, everyday ways, whether it’s helping at home, showing kindness to a stranger, or building bridges with others. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.

As I shared this, the car grew quiet, and for a moment, I wondered if my words had landed. Then Isabeau smiled and said, “I think you’re right, Mom. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.”

And isn’t that the truth? It’s worth it.

For me, together we rise isn’t just about work. It’s about how I try to lead my life, lifting those around me in small, everyday ways, whether it’s helping at home, showing kindness to a stranger, or building bridges with others. As I thought about it more, I realized that together we rise is not just a mantra but a way of life, one that reminds me that progress doesn’t happen in isolation.

When we show up with sincerity, even on the hard days, we start to build something bigger than ourselves. Small acts of patience and kindness can lead to a shared strength that lifts everyone higher. Whether it’s at work, in the community, or within our families, choosing to rise together creates something truly meaningful, something that lasts.