Cinderella: The Risk of Being Who You Really Are

By -
Recently I turned twenty-seven years old, and my mom took me out to see the movie "Cinderella" on my birthday.  It was part of the day of festivities of my special day that I spent with my parents, the two people who have truly taught me to be myself and to never let obstacles come in my way. 

Cinderella is my mom’s and my favorite Disney movie of all times.  There is something about this story of such an ordinary girl having her dreams come true in such a big way, that is inspiring and encouraging.  The idea of that chase for what we believe in and achieving our dreams is so very exciting.  I am such a sucker for “chick-flicks,” but this one seems extra special for some reason.

So as my mom picked me up on my birthdays morning, she unveiled that we were going to see Cinderella.  I was beyond excited as I looked forward to seeing this animated fairy tale “come to life” on the big screen.  I will add that I shed a few tears throughout the movie, but I was left with two very powerful statements that have stuck with me for over a month now.  




“Have courage and be kind.”

We will have many trials in our lives, but we must continue to trust in our Lord and have courage.  We must also continue to be kind to others so that we can be the light of Christ.





“Perhaps the greatest risk we will take – to be seen for who we really are.”

This quote has really stuck with me, because it is so very true.  I have always been taught to be myself.  This advice has always blessed me throughout my life, even with things like job interviews.  I think this was the best interview advice I ever received, to simply be yourself.  But more importantly, God made each of us very uniquely.  He did this so we could bless others with our unique gifts.  That is what makes me think of Matthew 5:13 when I reflect upon this quote.  He gave each of us a unique flavor to allow us to be a light to others.  Don’t lose your saltiness, because then you take the risk of not being you!

So take this as an encouragement that it is not always easy to be yourself in all situations, but we are called to be ourselves and to be different. 


Cinderella was very different, and she was loved for who she simply was, and God feels the exact same way about us.  He wants us to be simply who we really are called to be.  In today’s world, we are constantly told to try to be like someone else, but we must stay true to ourselves.

Dove Love,
Sarah Young
2014-2015 Head Mentor
Sigma Alpha Omega National Board of Trustees

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

“Perhaps this is the moment for which you have been created.” - Esther 4:14

By -
The story of Esther is a famous one that has been recounted everywhere from Sunday school classes to the Hollywood big screen over and over again.  The sort-of Reader’s Digest version is that an orphan girl from no means finds favor with the King and ultimately saves her people from mass genocide.  But there is more to Esther’s than just that, right?  I mean there are only two books of the bible that are named after women:  Ruth and Esther.  So we have to ask ourselves what it must be that makes these women so worthy.   Ruth’s story can be summed up in a sentence  as well:  A woman’s husband dies, she follows her elderly mother in law to a foreign land where she finds favor with a wealthy land owner and ultimately becomes something like the 28-times great grandmother of Jesus.  The obvious commonalities in these two women’s stories are that they are both displaced from their homes, they both find favor with wealthy, powerful men- but risk their lives in doing so. These women stood i
Read more

New Beginnings Make New Endings

By -
Image
I recently saw this quote, "No one can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending" (Unknown). I really began to think about that statement. The conclusion was that we don't start over; but we begin again right where we are, making things better in our lives. As a believer in Christ, it is not about saying I will do this and I won't do that and then dropping the idea or falling short. It is more about asking the Lord to help us each day, to fall deeper and deeper in love with Him. This way our focus will be set on the things of heaven and not on all this earthly stuff. If I were to make a New Year resolution, it would be to have a deeper commitment, a deeper love, and a deeper worship for the Lord. In the beginning of this past year, He spoke to me in that still small voice in prayer and said, "I am more than enough. I am more than enough in every area of your life." He also said to tell others the same thing.
Read more

Oh the Places You'll Go!

By -
Image
Have you ever read the book “Oh the Places You’ll Go” by the incredible Dr. Seuss? If not, stop reading this and go get a copy of this amazing piece of literature. If you have, then I’m sure you remember the great encouragement given throughout. For example... “Today is your day! You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away!” “Wherever you fly, you’ll be best of the best. Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.” “And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)” “Today is your day. Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way.” But, the real life advice comes in the pages between the above quotes, where we are reminded that sometimes we “won’t”... (see what I did there?!? Yes, I love me so Suess talk… anyway…) In John 16:33, Jesus tells us “In this world you will have trouble.” Not that we might or its possible, but that we will. Dr. Seuss refers to these troubles as silly rhymes, but the truth of life is still there. “I’m sorry
Read more