A Tale of Two Heroines

 

 

 

 

 

I recently shared a post written by my friend Jan at “simplyjan” about the new movie Brave and the heroine Merida.  After hearing so many things about the movie and Merida, I knew I must see it myself.   Today I went with Jan, her little kids, big kid and big kid’s boyfriend to see the movie.   I left for a moment to get something to drink.  When I returned the entire group was pointing at the screen.   I turned and saw a preview of the newest Tinkerbell movie.    Those who know me understand my fascination and love of Tinkerbell.   While I agree with Jan that Merida is indeed an incredible heroine, I still claim Tinkerbell as mine.

Tinkerbell is clever, funny, determined, feisty, opinionated, and pouty at times.  She has a mind of her own and can be stubborn.  She is a devoted friend and loves deeply.   The extremes in personality are explained by the fact that a fairy’s size prevents her from holding more than one feeling at a time, so when she is angry she has nothing to counterbalance it.  In the same way, when she loves, she loves completely.

In the story of Peter Pan, she is angry and hurt when Peter rejects her and attempts to get even.  The plan backfires and the awful Captain Hook tries to poison Peter.  Tinkerbell drinks the poison and Peter forgets his anger and begs everyone to help save Tinkerbell.  She was saved when Peter asked everyone to clap and shout, “I do believe in Fairies.”

Tinkerbell also has the ability to help others.  If she encounters those who cannot fly, she only need sprinkle them pixie dust.  She must help them understand that the pixie dust will only work if you have faith and trust.

I believe I share most of the characteristics of Tinkerbell, although I don’t think I am pouty or opinionated.  Friends and family may disagree with that statement.   I do tend to have extremes in personality, not necessarily because of my size, but for other reasons.  The challenge in my life is finding balance.   One of the things I fear most in life is rejection by those I love.  If you have followed my blog, you may understand.

There was a time in my life where those who clapped and said they believed in me saved me when I couldn’t believe in anything.  I have had many people in my life believe in me.  I have to come to learn that I dishonor their belief and trust when I lose faith and give up.

Someone asked me how Peter Pan and Tinkerbell became such good friends.  There is a variety of explanations but most believe them met in Kensington Gardens.  It was fate or destiny.   “If you had a chance to change your fate, would you?”  Merida asks this question in the movie.  I wonder if Tinkerbell would have lived if she and Peter had never met.  Some may say she would never have been in the position of dying from drinking poison is they had not met.    I wonder about that question in my own life.  I don’t think I would change a thing.  Every heartache, obstacle, joy and experience builds on the next.  I don’t know what is ahead so if I change what is behind I may miss something amazing.

Perhaps Brave is the perfect word for these two heroines.  Merida and Tinkerbell both showed bravery in standing up for themselves.  They also showed they could love in spite of fear, admit when they were wrong, and keep going forward when things seemed hopeless.   I hope I can be as Brave in my own life.