Fairy Tales Can Tell Us About Real Life
We all know something about fairy tales. Most of us grew up with them. We read them to our children and grandchildren, and we may even have a favorite that we enjoy over and over. Fairy tales present epic struggles: characters matching wits with ogres, narrowly escaping from enchantments, and enduring great hardships in pursuit of a goal. The ideas contained in fairy tales can help us on our journey of self-discovery.
The magic wand
Many fairy tales feature characters who are given the chance to make dramatic changes in their lives with the help of a magical object, like a wand. If you think about your own life, is there something that you would happily change if you could wave a magic wand? Who, in real life, might offer you support or resources to help facilitate this transformation? What sort of environment could serve as your magic wand and help you create the changes you've been dreaming of?
The wise fool
Other fairy tales show naïve characters triumphing over their seemingly more clever rivals. These "clueless" folks end up doing well because they don't make any assumptions about what is the correct or smartest approach. If you think about your own life, is there some area where your assumptions about what is best are preventing you from finding a workable solution? Who, in real life, has no preconceptions about your situation and could help you uncover a new path to success? What sort of environment might help you unblock your creativity?
The frog prince
Another common fairy tale theme centers on characters who are not what they seem, like a prince who appears in the guise of a frog and must wait for someone to love him as he is for the spell to be broken. If you think about your own life, is there some aspect of yourself that is just waiting for the proper love and acceptance - either from self or others - to be activated? Who, in real life, has a way of seeing your true self and could assist you in developing that authentic identity? What sort of environment might help you to see the courage, beauty or talent latent within you?
Part of self-discovery is finding the stories that give you inspiration and letting go of those that bring you down. What stories are you telling yourself? Are they helping you to live more fully? Any story, positive or negative, personally derived or assigned to you by others, can become a straightjacket if it no longer enables your growth.
Self-Discovery Tool Number 18
One of the best ways to bring about (and then maintain) a happily ever after is to visualize it occurring. What can you do to keep the idea that things will turn out for the best firmly in your mind? Share your dreams with friends, family and colleagues so that they can actively help you make them come true. Make your own story. And as you do, remember that like all good tales, there will be ups and downs but the hero (that's you) always prevails in the end!

