Enchanted

A couple of hours ago I went with my family to watch "Enchanted", the latest Disney fairy tale. It's a cute movie... a very cute movie. An evil queen of Andalasia banishes the beautiful maiden Giselle to the not-so-magical New York City to keep her from marrying the dashing Prince Edward. Giselle meets Robert, an uptight engaged divorce lawyer, and his charming daughter Morgan. In spite of Robert's reluctance, Giselle shows him that sometimes what we call reality isn't all it's cracked up to be, winning his daughter's heart with her optimism. Not exactly what you'd call a thought-provoking plot line. But something deserves a little bit of attention.

I'm not exactly what you'd call an optimist. The older I get, the less I look at the bright side of the world. I find it difficult to believe that two people who get a divorce or are on the way to a divorce will get back together. I see a homeless old man on the side of the road and immediately hold my purse tighter. I'm suspicious of everyone until I get to know them.

I gotta say, to not be suspicious of everyone would be a little naive. But I don't think it should really be this way. Throughout the movie, Robert constantly tells Giselle that fairy tales and true love are not reality. They're not rational. It's better to think through things like love and attraction instead of going with your gut. And I would agree with statements like that, especially in a world like ours.

Part of me doesn't want the world to be like this. I'm not naive, I know that things are the way that they are, and there's not much that's going to change that. But what would the world be like if we lived like that? If we showed kindness to strangers, if we kept a brighter outlook on life, if we weren't immediately suspicious of everyone that crosses our paths. I think that's why I like fairy tales so much. It gives me a break from the cruel realities of the power-driven world around me. I sure hope I don't outgrow this need for a brighter side to life.

Is that a bad thing?