10 Positive Things I Learned From Disney Princesses

So a lot of people give Disney, and fairy tales in general a bad rap.  I've been in defensive mode the last week or two, so please be patient with me as I again make a defense for and in behalf of the Disney princesses.  As a fan of fairy tales, I never felt like I was ever deceived or ill-treated by the "unrealistic" stories.  I found even at a young age that fairy stories obtained truths that were realistic, and inspired me as a child to be a better person, so here they are, 10 positive things I learned from the Disney princesses:

1-Always Be a Lady. When I say this, I simply mean to have good manners.  In a world that continues to grow more demanding, this is unfortunately becoming less common.  We could learn a lesson or two from them on good behavior (I'm not exempting myself from this).
Among the elements of having good manners are these five that are particularly noticeable with Disney princesses:

• Be kind: On the outside, this mannerism might look quite wimpy to some people in the world, but I can testify by personal experience as a receiver and sometimes a giver, the act of kindness is amazingly powerful.  Kindness can change lives (for better).
• Be respectful: Being polite is always in fashion (at least in my opinion).  People come and go in our lives, some faster than others, but it's the way you treat them that will leave a longer lasting mark.  
• Be generous: Giving from the heart is a rare and beautiful thing.  Enough said.
• Be patient: So none of these princesses ever had it easy.  They all went through some things that in real life would be significantly difficult, but they didn't let it discourage them.
• Be understanding: So people make fun of the cheesy melodramatic sweetness you can get from Disney princesses, but you have to admire their being able to be slow to anger, and in so being had compassion for fellow humans, living things, and animals alike.  Don't know about other people's opinions, but in mine that's quite a valuable lesson.

2-I Can Do Hard Things: Once again referring back to the difficulties being dealt with.  Truly not an easy thing to do.  This is a message of hope.  It teaches that you can get knocked down hard, possibly into the depths of darkness where light seems difficult to find, but there is always that light of a chance to pick yourself up again and rise, but you've got to have the courage to fight for it.  That's as realistic a message as they come.

3-True Beauty Lies Within: Yes, we all know Disney princesses are beautiful to look at, and in most cases so perfectly beautiful that it seems unrealistic, but for anyone who has been as obsessed in fairy tales as I was knows that beauty is symbolic in the majority of these stories.  In these stories, beauty is a symbol.  It is a symbol of the character's, well, character.  Inner beauty is difficult to present visually, so in fairy tales using this display of beauty is a way of sending the message to its audience that they are beautiful from the inside out and they become ultimately beautiful when they share their gift with others.

4-The consequences of choices: Ah, choices.  Whether you're dealing with a classic Disney movie when good vs. evil is obvious, or the more subtle struggles of the more modern movies, there is clearly a lesson on what occurs when choices are made.  Clearly, the antagonists eventually result in less ideal endings, and the protagonists are advanced and celebrated.  Perhaps not so black and white in reality, but it still teaches a great lesson in reminding us that choices do bring consequences, and whichever choice we want to make we need to also accept the results that come along with them.

5-The existence of wonder and magic in life: There are no sparkles twirling in the air around our brooms and bringing them to life, nor are there fairies flying around trying to save us from a curse; however, the reality is that there are plenty of things to find in life that are full of the same type of wonder: the awe of holding a newborn in your arms; the beauty in the solemn last hours of a life; the feel of blossoms blowing off of a tree and into your face; the joy of accomplishing something difficult; and so many other things.  That is where the real magic is.

6-Industry: I cannot think of one princess who was lazy.  Even Rapunzel who was trapped in a tower for nearly 18 years managed to keep herself busy.  All of them knew how to work in some form.

7-Hope: Discussed this a little already.  Sometimes the term Wish or Dream is used as a synonym, or it goes along the same lines.  Princesses are amazingly positive, and look to the future with such an amazing hope that one day they will be delivered from whatever difficulty they faced.  Seriously these girls were not weaklings.  They held on to their hope, and with that hope fought through their trials victoriously.

8-Seeing Beauty and Joy in Life: A love for life.  Seriously, who doesn't enjoy being in the company of someone who clearly loves life?  The enthusiasm and energy is so infectious.  There are several princesses who obtain this great quality, and it often comes as a reminder that despite all the bleakness and darkness of reality, there is something beautiful and exciting around the corner if you just look for it.

9-Gratitude: You don't always get a straight out expression from all of them, but you see in every single story that each of the princesses certainly learned to be grateful for what they have, despite some of their situations being ones that would induce depression and cynicism in many people.  They are at peace in their dire situations, and are happy with what they have.

10-To Care About Others: A significant lesson that needs to be taught again and again.  The princesses, even in their darkest hours, always thought of others over themselves.  To care about another person is a real power that can even change lives.