Life Lessons that Can We Derive from Robin Williams

Remembering Robin Williams is not enough when just watch his stand-up video on Youtube, nor just watching the films he starred and laughed out loud. Robin Williams is not only a comedian but he is also an artist who really have something to say.

Robin Williams

There are a moral messages and lessons to be learned from the animated film Aladdin, Mrs. Doubtfire, until the drama Good Will Hunting. To think back to moral message tucked in his work, let us refer to the list below:

1. Always Be Yourself.

Quote: “To be my own master. Such a thing would be greater than all the magic and all the treasures in all the world!” Genie – Aladdin (1992).

In the movie Aladdin, Robin Williams plays a role as the voice of the character Genie. Her acting alters our perception of the jinn, of sinister and cunning creatures into being warm, funny, a little naive, and good behavior. Genie teaches us that nothing in this world that is more luxurious than the ability to be yourself. Nothing can beat the happiness that results from our awareness that we are deciding their own fate.

2. Age Was, Sometimes, No More Than Numbers Above Paper. 

Quote: “What is this, some sort of “Lord of the Flies” preschool? Where are your parents? Who’s in charge, here?” Peter Banning – Hook (1991).

Peter Banning (played by Robin Williams) is a successful lawyer who his world upside down after he was stranded at Neverland while his two children were kidnapped by Captain Hook (Dustin Hoffman). Peter surprised to see the courage of a group of children who never grow up challenging Captain Hook. However, Peter later realized that their spirit can help beat Hook. Apparently, a bit of silliness, relaxed taste, style and imagination of children can be useful in dealing with many problems.

3. Cooking Was Not Easy.

Quote: “My first day as a woman and I’m getting hot flashes.” Daniel – Mrs. Doubtfire (1993).

After divorce with his ex-wife, Daniel (Robin Williams) must masquerade as a housekeeper in order to return closer to his children. However, being a woman not as easy as what he envisioned. Regardless of expertise disguised and wearing make-up, it takes a high level of skill to take care of the kitchen. Salute to all the women who can skillfully do all this!

4. Beware When Taking Options.

Quote: “Hey, hey, I’m sorry, okay?… Twenty-six years buried in the deepest darkest jungle, and I still became my father.”  Alan Parrish – Jumanji (1995).

The first rule when they want to cross the street is looking to the right and to the left! Vigilant on the road you are required to do (except if you just come out from the jungle because of decades trapped in a game of Jumanji). Similarly, when faced with multiple options, you should think good and the bad of each option before making a decision.

5. Science is Fun.

Quote: “I love you with every cell, with every atom. I love you on a subatomic level.”  Prof. Philip Brainard – Flubber (1997).

Who says science has to be boring? With a little effort and (many times) trials, Prof. Philip Brainard (Robin Williams) finally succeeded in creating something useful rubber compound that not only reflected but also can float in the air. With the passage of the film, we are taught that success sometimes causes problems, but that's the true meaning of the phrase that "it should be studied endlessly", isn't it?

6. Learning Is Not Just From Textbooks

Quote: “No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.”  John Keating – Dead Poets Society (1989).

As an eccentric English Literature teacher, John Keating (Robin Williams) asks her students to love poetry and seek knowledge other than what in the textbooks. In a variety of knowledge out there waiting to be discovered. Do not be afraid to always look for an alternative to uniformity.

7. Nothing Can Blame Intention.

Quote: “You treat a disease, you win, you lose. You treat a person, I guarantee you, you’ll win, no matter what the outcome.”  Hunter Patch Adams – Patch Adams (1998).

That's what Robin Williams taught through character Hunter which he played in the movie, Patch Adam. Adams, a medical student, illegally treating patients just because he likes helping people. However, the humor that made Adams approach in treating patients by a doctor gets his superior oblique view. Adams is wrong because he needs legal permission to act and treat patients. However, his intention to actually improve patients' lives remains noble intentions.

8. Over Age, You Will Understand About the Love, Pain, And Life.

Quote:“ You’re just a kid, you don’t have the faintest idea what you’re talking about”. “ You don’t know about real loss, cause it only occurs when you’ve loved something more than you love yourself.”  Sean Maguire – Good Will Hunting (1997).

Role as Sean Maguire, a psychiatrist who guided a talented young Will Hunting (Matt Damon), Robin Williams finally gained recognition in the acting world by winning an Oscar. Will Sean be morale boosters to find another purpose of his life, but when Robin utter powerful monolog on that bench, he actually stopped talking to the youth of the 90s era.

9. Do Not Expect People Will Understand You.

Quote: “You’re an orphan right? You think I know the first thing about how hard your life has been, how you feel, who you are, because I read Oliver Twist?” Sean Maguire – Good Will Hunting (1997).

Still from the same monolog in Good Will Hunting, Robin Williams insists you should never expect anyone else to understand the circumstances, suffering, or what your favorite food. But if you correctly tell other people about how you feel, fear, and things that make you happy, they will be able to appreciate you.

10. Nobody’s Perfect.

Quote: “You’re not perfect, sport, and let me save you the suspense: this girl you’ve met, she’s not perfect either. But the question is whether or not you’re perfect for each other.” Sean Maguire – Good Will Hunting (1997).

It may sound cliche, but still relevant to this day. There is not such thing as a perfect man or a perfect girl. The perfect love affair was also not there. That there are couples who mutually enhance each deficiency.

11. Life Is Too Short When Used For Anger Only.

Quote: “We have to have sex, immediately! I don’t have a lot of time…”  Henry Altmann – The Angriest Man in Brooklyn (2014).

In one of his last works, Robin role as Henry Altmann, a grumpy man who was surprised when told the doctor that her age is only 90 minutes longer. Although the film quality is declining, we still entertained while watching Robin around town to see family and friends who have been hurt by him.

12. Spread Positive Energy.

Quote: “Goooooooood morning Vietnam! It’s 06:00 hours. What does the “O” stand for? O my God, it’s early! Speaking of early, let’s hear it for that Marty Lee Drywitz. Silky smooth sounds, making me sound like Peggy Lee…”  Adrian Cronauer – Good Morning Vietnam (1987).

Start your day with positive energy, then spread to everyone you meet. Even in the midst of the Vietnam War was, Robin Williams still can give a comedy. Robin plays the character of Adrian Cronauer, a disc jockey who is assigned to a radio broadcast in the American armed forces in Vietnam. Each day, Adrian greet the listener with a cheerful and inserted a little joke.

Always Available Place for Comedy. Life does not have to be too serious. Leave a little time for a laugh. Because as we saw from the works of Robin Williams, there is always the available place for comedy.

Updated on 18 January 2017.