12 Life Lessons from 6 Strong, Fictional Characters.

I am a bibliophile. I love stories. I love characters. I love the lesson we learn from those stories. In my many travels through literature, fanfictions, tv, and movies, I find myself attracted to a full array of female characters from Sailor Jupiter to Luna Lovegood these women are ones that are good friends during hard times.  And I’ve learned lessons from these women.

Ariel from Little Mermaid.

Ariel and I have had a long withstanding relationship. The Disney 1989 classic Little Mermaid, was the first movie I remember seeing and I remember falling in love with the Disney Princesses but Ariel is my favorite. For the simple reason that she had red hair. There is 1-2 percent of people who have red hair in the entire population of the world. And being a redhead myself, I loved that Disney embraced this color for Ariel.

Ariel had a drive about her and knew what she wanted but at the end of the movie it wasn’t Ariel’s doing to make sure she was happy, it was her father’s. The same person who protected from the sea witch and changed the contract for her. And at the end of the movie Ariel hugs her father and says “I love you, daddy”. She knows who is important to her and knows what her father sacrificed to allow her to get what she wants. Ariel grows and matures throughout the movie and learns the true meaning of sacrifice.

 

Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables,

Anne Shirley, another redhead, However Anne’s optimism has comforted me when I have made mistakes. Anne traversed the countryside of Prince Edward Island but also the trials of life. Anne dealt with lost, friendships, loneliness, sadness, and persevere through it all and still was kind to others. She fought and showed grace when needed but did not sugar coat the ill however when she did speak her mind she did it with love. She embraced everyone she met and cared for them but also knew which friends were reliable and which were better to keep as an acquaintance.

 

Jo March from Little Women.

I read Little Woman in 7th grade and fell in love with the characters. I reread this book in college and this is still one of my favorites.  I ended up rereading it a couple of times and I’m always struck by Jo’s independence and strive to make a mark in the world. But throughout Jo’s travels, she learns the importance of following your heart and not letting convention stand in your way. She also learns that the most important thing in her life is her family.

 

Danielle De Barbarac from Ever After.

Danielle from Ever After, She is strong, fierce and adventurous. She sees the world in black and white. She also doesn’t allow her station to dictate who she is and what it becomes. She extends grace and forgiveness but doesn’t ignore the mistreatment she was given. She open and caring but also brave and loving.  I can remember one Easter, I had gotten sick and my mom stayed home with me. We put on Ever After and just sat watching it, my grandmother called and asked why we were not at the family party my mom explained but then ended the conversation that Danie is watching Ever After and we won’t be there.

 

Princess Leia, Star Wars

Princess Leia, she is so unassuming. In that first scene in the 1976 classic where Luke runs into to save her, my first impression was she is the damsel in distress. Leia was then snarky and sharp, mentioning how Luke was too short to be a stormtrooper. She observed the world around her. She was brave staring down one of the worst villains in film history. She knew even though things looked bad she knew that she could not show that she was stressed. She saved face and did what needed to be done.

 

 Shelby Parker, The Princess.

Shelby a women who becomes a princess. She stands up for others and herself. She is caring and full of grace. Learning to love in an arranged marriage and that love is not only feeling but a choice every single day. Love is the words, actions, and forgiveness. I have reread this book numerous times and to this day it’s still one of my favorites.

 

Here are the lessons:

1. Sacrifice isn’t easy if it were then it would have a better name, but usually many people are involved with the choice you make.

2. Sugar coating is not okay, but saying things in love and letting God give you words is more important.

3.Knowing which people in your life should be close friends and which people should be acquaintances.

4. Don’t let other’s thoughts or feelings influence your life.

5. Follow your heart.

6. Forgiveness is important but that doesn’t change the wrongs. If a change needs to be made, then change it.

7. Observe your world.

8. In Stressful situations don’t add to the stress by being fearful. Stand and face it, You can cry about it later.

9. Love is not just a feeling.

10. Love is actions, words, and forgiveness.

11. Stay true to yourself.

12.  Family is important.
Proverbs 31:25

She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.

TTFN and God Bless you and keep you.