"Have courage and be kind"

I saw the new Cinderella film yesterday. I. LOVE. IT. It is so sweet and gives a beautiful message of kindness, love, and bravery that I find really uplifting. Because it is a Disney princess movie, lots of kids are going to see it and (hopefully) pick up on the messages this movie sends.

Cinderella's mom tells her to always "have courage and be kind." Throughout the movie I found it interesting and empowering to note how kindness and bravery seemed to be intertwined. In some circumstances, being kind is the brave thing.

This reminds me of a few verses in 1 John 4:

"Herein is our love made perfect, that we have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear has torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us," (v. 17-19).

Evidence of perfect love is the fact that we are willing to express it. This can be scary and requires vulnerability, hence the necessity for boldness (or courage), especially in situations where we may struggle to love someone (Cinderella with her step-family). Also, in the day of judgment, how is the Savior going to treat those He mediates for (aka all of us)? With SO much love, which is why He sacrificed His life to become our Savior and Mediator to begin with. Our goal is to become like Him, so how better than to love with equal boldness?

Then there's that part about perfect love casting out all fear. Cinderella was confronted throughout the film with many cruel and disparaging remarks and treatments from her stepmother and stepsisters. She felt alone and beat-down, however, despite her treatment, she still put forth constant effort to love. Her kindness was unfailing and because of that her spirit was unfailing, they couldn't keep her down aka her spirit wasn't tormented and her fear dissipated. I feel the same is true for all of us, if we truly strive to love and be kind without discrimination or reservation, we will be unfailingly happy. It will become inherent to our very being.

Another thing I love about this film, is that just towards the end, before Cinderella tries on the glass slipper, she asks the Prince an important question. She asks if he will still love and accept her for who she is as an independent-thinking, country/servant-girl. The prince, of course, says yes and he and Cinderella end up together, just as we all knew all along.

I love that for Cinderella what was most important was that she was loved for all of her, and not just her pretty face. In fact, throughout the film, others comment on how she is has lovely physical characteristics, but never does it ever drive what Cinderella or the Prince do. Her stepmother and stepsisters, however, are portrayed as vain women who seek after nothing but beauty and wealth and there is a distinct message sent that those things are frivolous, ridiculous, and unrewarding.

Attached to the message of kindness  and love is also that of forgiveness. Sometimes those who are unkind to us are also unkind to themselves. I think it is important to let them know that we don't hold it against them and hopefully that will lead to them not holding it against themselves either.

A few mini messages within Cinderella include:
1. With time pain eventually becomes a memory; grief and pain are a part of our lives but don't always have to be sad remembrances.
2. "Just because it's what's done, doesn't mean it should be done."
3. Sacrificing for others is an act of love
4. Cinderella is not a damsel in distress, she isn't a push-over, she (kindly) sticks up for herself

And lastly, that final bit of 1 John I quoted above, "we love him, because he first love us," is a principle embedded into the Cinderella story. She loves everyone, no matter who they are: haggard old ladies, mice, geese, cruel family members, royalty, servants, her parents, etc. And, generally, they all love her in return. However, even when those who should love her most are mean and cruel, because she continues to be kind nonetheless, she is rewarded with a love she never expected (the prince).

There are probably a ton of other wonderful messages I missed, but needless to say, I am a fan of this film. Beautiful message, script, and filming.

Life is hard, but why not alleviate some of that with goodness? Let's all be a bit more courageous in our commitment to kindness and thereby spread some cheer and love to those who cross our paths.