Spot of T - And They Lived Happily Ever After
Full disclosure time. I am a Disney girl. I love everything about Disney – the movies, the parks, the clothes, but most of all, the feeling. Disney sells happiness. There is no doubt about it. Disneyworld is touted as “The Happiest Place on Earth.” Why? Because people like me and millions of others, buy into the fairy tale. I keep one foot on the ground of reality, but the other foot is happily living the life of a princess in a fairy tale. I believe in “Happily Ever After.”
Let’s face it, each and every Disney story has a happy ending. But, to get to there, the heroine, princess, hero or other protagonist has to endure countless struggles and fight countless villains. The message is pretty clear – hang in there, fight the good fight, and one day, you too will prevail. That’s a good message, no matter who you are.
While I enjoy these tales of victory, I realize that sometimes turmoil and struggles in our lives feel overwhelming. I’m not trying to oversimplify or minimize anyone’s tough times. They most definitely occur. And they can last a long time. Of that, there is no doubt. But the idea that there is the possibility of triumph, that one day, the evil foe will be vanquished, helps me to get through even the most difficult of times.
In each of the many Disney stories, the bad guy is personified. Ariel fights her Ursula, Aladdin fights his Jafar, Rapunzel fights her Mother Gothel, and the list goes on and on.
Each of us has our own villains in our lives, and they are usually not in human form. Joblessness, health struggles, depression, family disputes, financial problems – any of these things can be our villains. If we take a page from our heroes and don’t give in, we too can win the day against these evils.
Each and every “good guy” wants to give up at one point or another, the struggle is often more than one can take. But take a page from the Disney crew – they don’t give up, they regroup, they form a posse, they reenergize, and they come back swinging.
Interestingly enough, sometimes the villain you fear, who you think is your enemy, actually turns out to be an ally. Case in point – Beauty and the Beast. Belle befriends and eventually falls in love with the Beast. She had no idea he was actually a prince. She was able to overlook his hideous appearance and love the person inside. The villain in this story is actually the clean-cut, good-looking character, who is caught up in his own handsome visage.
The lesson here – be sure that the one you fear or with whom you have a dispute is actually an enemy and not a potential ally. Appearances can be deceiving.
Oversimplified? Yes, of course. Life is not a Disney movie. But the lesson learned from our animated friends is a good one. Hang in there. Persevere. Ask for help when you need it. And fight that good fight.
The Disney empire was built on this feeling of “Happily Ever After.” Believe it or not, Walt Disney was a shy, self-conscious and insecure man by nature. He adopted a more outgoing personality to go with his fairy tales. Walt had high standards and expectations and the results were stunning. After his death, his brother Roy continued to bring his brother’s dreams and vision to fruition.
Walt himself once said, “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” So, take a page from Walt’s book. Believe in fairy tales. Believe in happy endings.
Brittany Pointe Estates is a gracious Lansdale retirement community that reflects the charm of the region of France for which it is named. Situated in northern Montgomery County, residents of Brittany Pointe Estates senior living community enjoy an abundance of shopping opportunities, cultural offerings, theaters, gourmet restaurants, and beautiful