The Truth about Happily Ever After

The Truth about Happily Ever After

by, Diana B. Thompson

And they lived, ‘happily ever after,’ is a typical fairytale ending.  As parents, teachers and storytellers, we think nothing of wrapping a story with this nice little bow.  But, think about it, ‘Happily ever afters,’ in stories are a product of ‘true love’;  as if  finding the perfect companion means marriage will solve every problem.  WRONG!  After the honeymoon, the real work begins.  Marriage is an opportunity to continually develop relationship skills and mutual problem solving techniques.

‘Happily ever after,’ suggests that if your marriage has problems, there is something fundamentally wrong with the relationship.  As if to say, ‘if this is the right person, there will be no problems.’ That’s where the fantasy begins, and gives an unrealistic understanding to listeners.

CinderSilly doesn’t live happily after.  She lives ‘happier ever after.’  Once she discovers her own creative capacity for solving problems, happiness is always within her reach. It does not rely on magic. It doesn’t rely on romance.  CinderSilly’s happiness is dependent on her ability to manage the challenges at hand.  Her happiness is always within her control.  Whether she marries her prince…or not.