“Have courage and be kind.”
To begin our new “Live Like Heroes” series, I thought we could choose a more romantic and feminine heroine to inspire us for the month of February: Cinderella! The live action remake, released in 2015, always fills me with a renewed sense of wonder in the world. Although it is visually beautiful and magical in so many ways, the depiction of Cinderella (Lily James) always inspires me to “have courage and be kind” long after the credits roll.
In the spirit of our fairy tale February heroine, I brewed up a cup of gentle chamomile tea in a floral teacup and arranged a bouquet of pink roses for today’s installment (it will be fun to follow a theme or “aesthetic” for each month, don’t you think?). I hope you brew up a cup of something warm as we explore a few traits about Cinderella that make her stand out as a worthy example of a heroine.
COURAGE
“The greatest risk any of us will take is to be seen as we are.”
If you take a look at Cinderella’s actions throughout the movie, her courage stands out as the highlighting trait of her character. In the course of this movie, we see her grieve the loss of her mother and father, cope with living in the shadow of her awful stepsisters and stepmother, and make the decision to attend a royal ball on her own. And though we see her grow in courage as the story goes on, I think the most courageous act of all was to be seen as her true self at the end.
Despite the constant berating of her stepfamily, Cinderella finds the courage within herself to go on being kind to everyone around her, because that is what she knows to be important. Thanks to the example that her parents set for her as a child, she knows, deep down, who she truly is. The opinions of other people don’t alter her perception of herself—that self-assurance is one of the most beautiful things about her; it gives her strength and hope in the darkest of times.
HARD WORK
“They mistook her resilience for weakness.”
When her stepmother dismisses the servants and forces her to run the household alone, Ella rolls up her sleeves, puts on an apron, and gets to work. She never complains. She never accuses them. She never wishes herself away. Instead, she finds the agency of what she can control, choosing to make the best of the circumstances she’s been given… and she does this all with a cheerful spirit.
Philippians 2:14-15 encourages us to “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you become blameless and pure…. Then you will shine among [a crooked and depraved generation] like stars in the sky.”
Maybe the reason I find Cinderella’s work ethic so inspiring is because it’s a very life-like scenario in comparison to most Disney princesses, literary heroines, and historical figures. Not all of us will struggle to save the world or live in the midst of a world war, but we will probably all have to deal with difficult people at some point, and we will probably have to face a dirty kitchen and a sink full of dishes. Cinderella inspires me to make the most of every opportunity, no matter how difficult.
WONDER
“Well, here’s one thing: they can’t order me to stop dreaming.”
Cinderella’s willingness to be delighted and curious about the world around her—her ability to remain soft despite the difficulty of life—is another trait that sets her apart. I’m not saying that it’s a good thing to be delusional, of course, but the act of imagination can transform any moment. She finds joy in simple things, like pretty wildflowers and birdsong and the company of garden mice. Being grateful for the little things is the simplest path to joy—not a flicker of happiness, but true and enduring joy.
KINDNESS
“Where there is kindness, there is goodness. Where there is goodness, there is magic.”
Kindness is a rare and powerful thing. In the default insecurity of our world, it takes a seasoning of confidence to notice another human being and affirm them. Notice the way Cinderella treated everyone around her—she offered a smile and warm demeanor to the carriage footmen, the townspeople, and the prince alike. Her kindness to others made space for other people to be kind in return.
The truth is, you never know what a person might be struggling with. A little kindness goes a long way. Imagine how much you could brighten someone’s day merely by holding the door open, letting the car merge into your lane with a wave, listening to the person who needs to talk, or giving someone genuine encouragement. And the best part is that when you go into your day with kindness, it ripples out and affects people beyond you. Kindness truly changes the world.
GRACE FOR OTHERS
“I forgive you.”
In what I consider the most powerful and climactic scene of the movie, Cinderella is about to leave with the prince to return to the palace when she pauses at the threshold and looks back to her stepmother. At this moment, she has the power to respond to the years of abuse, but she says simply, “I forgive you.”
Where our society might tend towards an instinctive response of revenge, Cinderella’s act of grace stands out. After all that she endured, she willingly chooses to forgive the people who did her so much wrong. Of course it’s important to depict female characters in literature who are strong and powerful, but it’s also important to create examples of femininity: internal beauty, quiet strength, kindness, and grace.
Kindness is not weakness; it is strength. Cinderella sees beyond how her stepfamily treats her; this is why, despite their cruelty towards her, she tells the prince that “They treat me as well as they’re able.” Sometimes a graceful response is the most powerful one.
Very few movies can make me feel like a kid again, but Disney has the magical capacity to transport you almost anywhere in imagination. Cinderella is one of those timeless stories. She is a good, old-fashioned heroine—and it might just be her goodness that shines through most of all. Cinderella is a genuine heroine who loves good things. For that reason alone, she is an inspiration to me—and hopefully to you, too.
<3 Olivia Grace
