Unlocking the Adult Life Lessons of Jim Henson's Labyrinth

1. Believe in Yourself

The well known quote “Believe in yourself” is what Sarah in Labyrinth learns at the beginning of Sarah’s journey of self-realization and the path to proving her strength and capabilities in the face of difficult obstacles. By believing in her own unique capabilities, Sarah eventually defeats the Goblin King and takes back her brother. This is an important lesson for everyone—to believe in their own strength and abilities and never give up on the things they care about most.

2. Trust in Love

The trust between Sarah and Jareth, the Goblin King, is a key factor of the story. Even though Sarah was faced with adversity throughout the film, she still had faith that love would always persevere. This is a reminder that even when faced with difficult situations, one must always trust in the power of love.

3. Face Your Fears

When Sarah comes across a large and intimidating wall, she is faced with the reality of her fears and must either face them head on or turn around in failure. With courage, she ultimately chooses to keep pushing forward in search of her brother. This is a powerful reminder that one must confront their fears head-on and never be afraid to take risks or move outside of their comfort zone.

4. Be Selfless

Throughout the movie, Sarah goes out of her way to help her friends and allies in their struggle against the Goblin King. Even when faced with adversity and disappointment, she never wavers from her goal of freedom from the Labyrinth. This serves as a valuable lesson to always be selfless and think of the collective rather than one’s own personal goals.

5. Take Responsibility

The most important lesson from Labyrinth is that one must take responsibility for their actions and be open to learning from their mistakes. Despite experiencing a variety of obstacles and challenges, Sarah never wavers from her goal of rescuing her brother and eventually completes her task. This is a reminder that true success is only possible when one takes ownership of their actions and is willing to put in the hard work to correct their shortcomings.

6. Don’t Take Things For Granted

Throughout Labyrinth, Sarah takes for granted the presence of her brother Toby, not fully realizing just how precious their bond is until he is taken away by the Goblin King. This serves as an important reminder that we should never take our relationships and friendships for granted and to cherish the time we have with our loved ones.

7. Embrace Creativity

David Bowie’s character Jareth serves as a powerful reminder to embrace creativity and turn it into a source of strength. He is able to use his creative power to shape his own world and inspire others to believe in themselves and take control of their own lives. This is an important reminder to use creative expression to pursue our goals and better ourselves.

8. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

The collaboration between Jim Henson and Frank Oz throughout the creation of the Labyrinth is a reminder that great things can be achieved when two people share their talents and skills. Their teamwork enabled them to craft a timeless masterpiece that has inspired generations of people. This is an important reminder to discover the power of collaboration and how it can bring out the best in individuals.

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A list of a my favorite quotes from Jim Henson's Labyrinth:

"It's only forever, not long at all."

"You have no power over me."

"You remind me of the babe."

"I ask for so little. Just fear me, love me, do as I say and I will be your slave."

"Dance magic dance!"