The Princess Syndrome

How many of you remember the stories of Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, and Sleeping Beauty?? They are lovely, aren't they? And did you dress up as a princess when you were little, dreaming of the day your handsome prince would come? Thought so. I did too.

And has your prince come after all, in his shining armour? If he has, then good for you. If he hasn't, and you're still waiting then alas you're a victim of the Princess Syndrome. Bet nobody told you how many frogs you would have to kiss before you find your prince. If he even exists.

Walt Disney raised us to believe that if we were beautiful, we would have our happily ever after (Sleeping Beauty). And if we tolerated abuse, we would find our prince (Cinderella). And if we gave up something precious to us like our voice, then we would have our man then, of course, everything would be perfect in the end (The Little Mermaid).

Good role models, these characters? I think not. It's time we were realistic. Happiness does not depend on how beautiful we are outside. It's the inside that counts. And the perfect man (or woman) for us will accept us for who we are, as we are, without expecting us to give up anything. And there is no such thing as happily ever after. Even if we are lucky enough to find someone we can tolerate for more than five minutes, relationships require time and effort.

So let's be our own role models. Let's accept ourselves and others for who we are. Stop waiting for that prince, and go out and LIVE. Enjoy life! Be happy!! And don't measure your relationships up to unrealistic expectations.