i am a princess

Sometimes I like to end the tiring work day with a movie; an escape from reality. A reminder of the poetic beauty in life we seem to forget in the day to day grind. Last night I decided I would pop in a childhood favorite, A Little Princess. Please tell me you’ve seen it. If you haven’t, it’s totally a must see (I’m serious) for every daughter, sister, mother, and best friend. I had been feeling stumped on what to write for this week’s linkup until I was reminded exactly why I loved this movie. The main character is sort of like the spirit guide or guardian angel that we all deserve to have whispering in our ears; her unconditional faith in the magic and beauty of the world is more poignant to me now than ever.

I fully realize the level of cheese I’m at when I’m spouting sonnets about how much I love this movie, but I’m just a sucker for films/books/anything that reminds me of the hope we all used to have when we were children. We believed we could be princesses, we could be artists, we could be anything we want if we just believed in it hard enough. Where does all that optimism go when it disappears? Does it transform into resignation and regret? Could it ever turn back into what it once was? 

I am a princess. All girls are. Even if they live in tiny old attics. Even if they dress in rags, even if they aren’t pretty, or smart, or young. They’re still princesses. All of us.

This quote from the film is perfect – a simple statement about the inherent beauty and worth in all of us. I ask that you sincerely take this to heart and forget how silly or naive it may feel. No matter where you are or what you’ve done, the only person who can deprive you of your worth is you. Every little way you are you is beautiful.

Don’t worry; I know it’s much easier said than done. I find myself taking my own beauty for granted all the time. I find it difficult to accept compliments, I verbally devalue my creative work, and I tend to feel insecure about my capabilities. This sadly has become my autonomic response for the first quarter of my life and so for the next quarter, I intend on reversing and redirecting it. My beauty is mine and only mine. I am in control of how it lives, breathes, and grows.

Nurture your beauty the same way you would nurture it for your own kin. Allow yourself to dream bigger without fear of failure or ridicule. Believe in the beautiful presence of possibility and don’t let circumstance rob you of your optimism or hope for tomorrow. Do not resign your life to the ordinary. (When did I become so motivational-speaker-y?)

Is there a dream from your childhood you wish you still had or believed in? What books, movies, or otherwise remind you of how beautiful you are?

[ image via tumblr ]