Fairytales

I’m embarrassed to say I sometimes catch myself watching girlie movies. No, no, nothing x-rated. More like, chick flicks. And I wouldn’t be caught dead watching these so I make sure nobody is around. I did that today, watched Lying to Be Perfect on Life based on the book The Cinderella Pact by Sarah Strohmeyer. And I really (squirm, squirm) liked this one.

You’ve got to understand I’m one of those girls who hated Cinderella, princesses, fairy tales…bunch of nonsense. And I used to say I hated shopping…until I discovered the joys of Harley shops, antique shops and anywhere with art supplies. So now I just define it as I hate shopping for clothes, shoes and makeup. HATE IT.

And as I sat there with the blankets up to my eyes looking sideways to make sure nobody was watching me, I wondered what it is about these dumb movies that I like so much. I mean I’ll start watching and if it’s a romance I’ll change the channel. Ugggh…boooring. And other times, a quirky romance, or movie like this, will catch my interest. So what is it that catches my interest? Then I realized, it’s the plot….UNDERDOG PREVAILS. It’s the movies with the bitchy girl belittling the heroine and heroine prevails. Where the heroine gets some type of makeover and the world sees the beauty that's always been inside and the bitchy girl gets what she deserves. And if that heroine is overweight, a tomboy or a thin sweet quiet girl…I like it even more. And sometimes the heroine keeps the makeover but mostly she realizes she never really needed it. I don’t care if she ever gets ‘the guy’ so long as that movie ends with the heroine walking tall, proud and confident.

And I wondered. I’ve run into many ‘heroine’ types in my life. And I’m quick to stand up for them or try to get them to stand up for themselves. I can even relate to the ‘sad little heroine’ and have had my share of ‘bitchy girls/guys’ to belittle me. But a part of me is very willing to jump into the ‘bitchy girl’ role and belittle myself. To keep myself down with fear, intimidation, anger, etc. etc.. So why would I treat myself differently than I want others to be treated?

So perhaps these crazy movies are sending me the message that it's my perception that is the roadblock. There will always be somebody who will lash out with their own insecurities and feed off those that they perceive to be weaker. And that somebody can even be myself. It's taking the easy road. The safe road. I can't fail if I don't make an effort. And I'll always be the 'sad little heroine' so long as I allow myself to be in that comfort zone.

So if I were writing the book in which Elena was the ‘sad little heroine’, what would her story be? As the reader, what would I want for her? How would that book end?

I like this line in the movie

"There is some element of risk in living your dreams"

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Now you see why I don't want anyone to know that I watch these....
I think too much...