I love happy endings.

That's why I tend to gravitate towards Disney movies. They give you this sense that even though everything looks grim, the sunshine will always find it's way through. More importantly I suppose is that in the end you feel like everything is going to be fine. Like nothing, no matter what is going to get in the way of happiness and good again. Lessons have been learned and priorities realized. I don't like to think that life will be perfect in a happy ending. Mostly because perfect is such an unreliable word. It means so many different things to so many different people. No, instead I like to think that happy endings are the point where a person realizes been wrong and missing and then finds that way that's perfect for them to not only be happier but more self aware and responsible of their future.

Cinderella wasn't just happy because she got a hot, new husband, who just so happened to love her, and an upgrade in the lifestyle department, but because she made a promise to herself to not allow anyone to disrespect her the way her family had ever again and she learned her own self worth. Her happy ending doesn't mean that she and her love at first sight prince charming will be together, but it does mean that whatever comes her way she'll be able to approach it more confidently and more level headed. And I'm happy for her.

Most princesses are actually rather weak minded in most of the Disney Movies and as such most of the lessons learned are those of self value, appreciation for different things in life and independence. I suppose that's why my favorite princesses are Jasmine and Mulan. They're so baddass and I love how self assured they both are. If you analyze it they both have strong families behind them that love and support them. There really is a lot to be said about family and raiding children in most Disney films.

For Jasmine the lessons and happiness weren't just for her. She already believed in herself and not only accepted Aladin, but loved him regardless of where he came from. It was the sultan whom learned acceptance and that not all traditions were meant to last forever. Aladin learned that status is just a title and that he's worth more than he had ever previously believed. A big part of that movie's happy ending was of course the love story and I personally not only enjoyed it, but appreciated that they actually formed a strong foundation for their relationship making this one of the few movies that really makes me believe they had true love that could possibly last forever.

So I guess the bottom line is that it isn't really a happy ending, but a happy beginning. I'm still looking for mine and I have no doubt that sooner or later when I least expect it there it'll be. Who knows? I may even get my own special version of Aladin too :)

Peace, Love & Pancakes
-Liberty