Book Challenge Day 5: A book that makes you happy

Whenever I feel down, or upset, there are two books I usually turn to. One of them is Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine, and the other is Penelope by Marilyn Kaye. 

Not only do I love the story of someone breaking free of negativity and low self esteem, I love the fact that the character breaks their own curse and rises above their misery. 

Resse Witherspoon has a powerful introduction to this story. She says, "I've been all over the world and met so many people, and I've come to discover that each and every one of us has insecurities. Young or old, short or tall, we all have something we wish we could change about ourselves. Sometimes we let those insecurities define who we are and get in the way of all the great things we could accomplish. Penelope teaches us to rise above our fears, to embrace the things that make us unique, and to celebrate our individuality."

Long before I read Penelope, I already knew that I had a curse. My negative attitude haunted me, and yes it still does at times. I have this curse of being terrified when anything good happens. I always expect something horrible to follow, and I literally wait until it does. I have never been an optimist on so many levels. 

Just like going to Disney, I feel so thankful that I decided to pick up this book, just before Borders went out of business, and give it a try. Even though I had long given up on the possibility of things actually working out in real life. 

This book opened my eyes, and I read it as a reminder to hope and believe in something more. Something happy, real and true. Penelope was the story that finally convinced me to pursue my dreams, and it taught me that breaking free from the past is not a bad thing. 

Penelope does the unthinkable in her own fairytale. She breaks her own curse! She doesn't wait around for Prince Charming. She stops listening to the negative words that surround her and decides to go out into the world and discover who she wants to be. She becomes her own hero, and once she breaks away from the curse, nothing can stop her from living the life she's always wanted!

So whenever I feel down, depressed, angry or frustrated with life, I read this book to remind myself that the only one preventing me from my own happiness is me. 

If I take the leap, brave the unknown and start to actually believe I'm capable of good things, maybe even that I do deserve to be happy, I can become the hero in my own story. I can, and will break my own curse.

Writing Prompt 35: Top 10 Movies

Prompt: My Ten Favorite movies

I loved this movie when I was a kid. (Already a fan of epic adventures.) My aunt would put this on the TV whenever I came over and my eyes would be glued to the screen.

This story holds a special place in my heart. The film came on T.V. very often, and whenever it did, I couldn't change the channel. (Of course this is another epic quest film- starting to see a pattern here? he he)

Does this one even need explaining at this point? Favorite fairytale and a Disney Princess that loved books and adventures just as much as I do!

The book series I grew up with on the big screen. Priceless.

How I got through High School. These movies will always bring back memories of screenings with my Dad and my friends. A very epic saga. I also love the books ( of course).

 

I watched this movie so many times when it first came out, and read the book before I saw the movie. I love everything about this film and book (even though they are very different). Tristan's journey to move on from the past and build his own future will always be meaningful to me.

My favorite Hayao Miazaki movie. I love Howl. And, Sophie's journey to self confidence captures the magic of this film. Howl's return to humanity and Sophie's  newly found confidence help both characters find a home and give them courage to fight for what they believe in.

This movie really explores the inner and outer conflict of good vs evil. The story also revolves around the meaning of real strength. Steve Rodgers discovers the power of having a good character is stronger than brute strength.

Not only is this film beautiful, it is about living life instead of worrying about what will happen. Marlin's journey from a paranoid father to an understanding parent showed him that he could change his circumstances once he changed his perspective.

A modern reverse Beauty and the Beast story about changing your fate and breaking free.

        I love so many movies, and in general I love action packed, fun films. This was actually a very hard choice. But these films spoke to me the most. Each story taught me a different lesson. The Dark Crystal inspired many worlds in my imagination. The Last Unicorn taught me that sometimes stories have a bittersweet ending. Beauty and the Beast defines my idea of a relationship (getting to know each other and going at your own pace). Harry Potter brought magic into the real dramas of school life and adolescence. The Lord of the Rings inspired my first fantasy story with its memorable characters and epic plot. Star Dust taught me the lesson of how to heal a broken and deceived heart. Howl's Moving Castle gave me the courage to believe in myself and what I can do. Captain America showed the inner conflict of doing what is right without allowing others' judgement to control your life. Finding Nemo showed me that life will happen, so it's better to live it instead of worry all the time. And finally, Penelope taught me that sometimes the actual obstacle holding you back from your dreams is really just yourself.
        So there you have it. Ten movies that I don't get sick of, and remind me what life is about. This list may change over time. Different stories and characters are always influencing my life and my journey as a writer. But that's the beauty of stories and tales. They grow and change over time. The same message and meaning through a new lens and dream.

What movies make your top ten list? What have you learned from them?

Writing Prompt 32: Favorite Movie

 Prompt: What's your favorite movie and why?

My favorite movies change over time. I love any Beauty and the Beast story, but the film that stands out to me right now is Penelope. It's a film about accepting who you are and discovering what you're capable of. 
I love the message of this film. The curse that Penelope has isn't just physical, it's mental. She's the person who tells herself that she can't live her life, and once she discovers how to live, she learns about the world and decides who she wants to be.

The Curse of Doubt

"It's not the power of the curse. It's the power you give the curse"
Penelope

I watched Penelope today, one of my favorite modern day fairy tales. This quote, close to the end of the movie, really stood out to me. During the film, Penelope constantly puts herself down and doesn't believe that her curse will ever be broken. She puts herself below others and doesn't believe in herself, until she breaks free. Once Penelope leaves everything she knows and takes control of her life, her confidence builds, and she finally has the power to overcome her own curse. She had the power to do this the entire time, but she only realized it once she believed in herself and started to pursue what she wanted in life.
It's a very valuable lesson, to discover the abilities you already have and do something about your doubts. Doubt has always been a big curse in my life, but sometimes I forget that the doubt is created by myself. Doubt is an obstacle that can be difficult to overcome when little or no self confidence is involved. The first step to conquering doubt is to realize who controls your doubt. Penelope discovers this when she steps out into the world and makes something of herself.
Another thing about doubt, it's not easy to overcome. But if Penelope had never conquered her doubt and discovered who she is, the movie would have had a lame story. I heard somewhere that you control your own story, even if you feel you have no power over it, but only you can change your story when you don't like the direction it's going in. I hope that a few people I used to know will learn this, because self doubt is not a fun element to live with for the rest of your life.
The first step is to believe that you will get there.