The Pursuit of Happily Ever After

Anyone who has ever ready a traditional storybook knows that a princess’s life is always described, usually in the last line or two of the story, as “happily ever after.” This most certainly applies to me, regardless of my non-traditional nature. Sometimes, though, “happily ever after” is hard to recognize. It is there, it just likes to play hide and seek. (Life is playful like that.)

Life has a tendency to have abrupt changes in direction, redefining of roles, and cast changes. I don’t do change well, but change happens regardless of whether or not I like it. My life in particular has LOTS of fun twists and turns. Vocational, romantic, medical, and financial changes have been abundant for me in the last three years. There have been many occasions for me to turn blue figuratively and, once, literally.

With every hair-pin turn and gut-wrenching drop, “happily ever after” was still there cleverly disguised. Sometimes it was wrapped up in a bruised ego, or a scary diagnosis. Other times, it hid under a lay-off from work or a broken heart.

Occasionally, it hides so well, that  I forget I am a princess and start to believe I am not magical at all. But, with a little help from my Nerds in Shining Armor and of course the Royal Family, I remember in a flash that I AM a princess and all princess get “Happily Ever After,” I just have to find it. So, after a brief (or not so brief) temper-tantrum, I take a deep breath and accept life as it is at the moment. Knowing that, as a princess, I have the power to change the world, or at least how I see it; I actively set out to do exactly that.

I have found that the quickest way to uncover a hiding “happily ever after” is to fully embrace true royalty. I set out to choose to see the good in those who have hurt me, smile on the days that it would be easier to cry because, and to help others do the same. Soon enough, the magic in me kicks in and *POOF* “Happily Ever After!”

Love, Grace, and Kindness is the stuff true royalty strives to embody. This princess endeavors everyday to live up to her royal title, and, on occasion, even manages to succeed. Those are the days that I know, without a doubt; I am living “Happily Ever After.”