While I was pregnant with my baby toddler (yikes, where did the time go) I read ALL the baby books. I am a researcher by nature so it was my “project” for 10 months. One well-known and probably well-meaning book urged the mom-to-be to find a quiet place each day and sit and dream about your babies future for 15 minutes or so. Think about all your hopes and dreams for this child’s future, where they will go in life, what they will accomplish, what they will be like, what they will like to do, what they will be when they grow up.

As well-meaning as this exercise probably was meant, I had a BIG problem with it. I think that is exactly the thinking that leads to a lot of heartache raising children. Because it isn’t your hopes and dreams that are important with this new life- it is THEIR hopes and dreams. THEIR life to live.

That being said, it caused a lot of introspection on my part. What ARE the hopes I have? The hopes I have for my children’s future are based on the unconditional love that I feel. Do I hope they are smart? Sure, but if they aren’t, that’s okay too. Do I hope they are active? Sure, we are an active family, but if they aren’t? That’s okay. Do I hope they are funny? Or ambitious? Or hard working? Or love to learn? Yes! But as I really thought about it, I quickly eliminated some typical hopes and dreams. I hope they find something they love to do, but they don’t need to pursue post grad school like their parents.

Most importantly I hope they are happy and Cinderella’s mother had the ticket when she said “have courage and be kind”. That little phrase sums up the hopes and dreams I have for my children, the rest they can fill in the blanks.

This little phrase from Cinderella reminds me of the words on the wall in Mother Teresa’s home for children in Calcutta. They were based on a work of writing originally published by Kent Keith.

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.
Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.
Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten.
Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.
Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.

“Have courage and be kind”… When that movie came out, the whole thing really resonated with me. Sure I loved the magic and the ball gowns but it had so much more.

“Have courage and be kind”… These words seem to be the essence of what we love about Cinderella. Despite the way she is treated, she loves anyway. Despite the attempts by her stepmother and stepsisters to ruin her joy, she continues to find joy anyway. Her best is never good enough, but she gives it anyway.

This is a story about having the courage to overcome obstacles while still maintaining a true sense of self, innocence, and goodness within, without letting the darkness build walls within the heart. I believe what has stood the test of time in the story of Cinderella, and why it continues to attract audiences, is the idea that kindness conquers meanness and good wins out over evil. And, to go even deeper, maybe what speaks to the hearts of attendees is that there is an invitation waiting for all of us: inviting us to be authentically who we are called to be— beautiful examples of heroism, love, and kindness.

Cinderella teaches us to have courage and be kind. We shouldn’t do those things for the purpose of having people notice us, but rather because those are the things that make our humanity beautiful. Those are the things that draw people into goodness. At the end of the movie, we learn that the greatest risk is “to be seen as we truly are,” and Cinderella asks the handsome prince who has gone door to door in search for her, “Will you take me as I am?”

These words inspire me so much that I created some wall art to hang at my makeup table, which we posted about here. I hung it next to my mirror because more importantly than the makeup I put on my face, is carrying that message in my heart.

You can download your free printable below! We hope it inspires you to “Have Courage & Be Kind”

Our friends at Cents Of Style have a beautiful “BE Series” and today it is HALF OFF!!! w/code BEYOU this includes FREE shipping!

Deynece wore her “Be Brave” shirt to the Abolitionist premiere, because that embodies the work they are doing!

Fashion Friday Story - Be Series Collection for 50% Off + FREE SHIPPING w/code BEYOU.

These pieces are so easy to wear and when you wear them you not only wear it for yourself, but you never know who will be watching and that message may speak to them.

Fashion Friday Story - Be Series Collection for 50% Off + FREE SHIPPING w/code BEYOU

So BE Inspired! Like Cinderella, we too can impact generations to come as we let the world be drawn into goodness through our courage and kindness. Doing so may cause us pain, we aren’t guaranteed the prince, and no one may even notice our generous actions, but like the poem written on Mother Teresa’s wall said, “In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”

We may never get back what we give in goodness, but let us have courage and be kind—anyway!

What words inspire you? We would love to hear! Have a beautiful and inspired weekend!

XOXO~ M&D