Time Machine Clicks: Photos That'll Transport You Back in Time

5. This Squad Was Always There to Cheer Us up

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The Care Bears could flip even the toughest of frowns upside down with their brilliantly vivid fur. All you would have to do if you were having a bad day was slip in a VHS tape of the Care Bears in action, and everything was simply ten times better. It was like having a ready-made team of fluffy therapists around-the-clock. If only grownup life were as easy as calling upon a group of cartoon bears to be happy. Not to mention those bears you could purchase from the store that came with their own smells; the Care Bear Squad was truly the best mood booster for children. These soft animals were a cultural phenomenon teaching a generation about emotions and empathy, not only toys. Every bear stood for different facets of emotional intelligence and care based on their individual belly badge and demeanor. From Grumpy Bear's lesson that it's normal to feel depressed sometimes to Cheer Bear's constant optimism, these vibrant creatures offered a whole range of emotional instruction. The best imagined answer to all of life's troubles was the Care Bear Stare, where the bears would band up to blast rainbow-colored rays of good feelings at their adversaries. Many of us still covertly wish we could call a Care Bear Stare when confronted with grownup challenges. The scented plush toys brought the magic into our homes so that we may practically surround ourselves with the soothing perfume of love and care. The Care Bears were a continual reminder that love, kindness, and a good attitude could conquer any challenge in a society sometimes felt frightening and complex.