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Fairy tales have become a part of our image of what romance
is supposed to be like. This image not only deceives women,
but also men. One of the definitions of the term "fairy
tale" in Webster's is "a made-up story, usually
designed to mislead."
On one hand, everyone knows that fairy-tale romances are
make-believe. On the other hand, fairy tales inspire us to
believe in happy love stories. For this fact alone, they have
given us something we need for building our own love affair:
hope. Many people have lost hope, and it's time to get it
back.
Modeling Love on Fairy-Tales
Some people think that fairy tales create a false image for
a real partner to live up to. The next time you read a fairy
tale about a love affair, look to see the characteristics
that form the foundation of these stories. What you will find
are characteristics such as the following:
Looking for unconditional love
Wanting to be loved by someone
Seeking understanding
Looking to be accepted by another
These stories also show that life is happier with someone
as opposed to being without someone. What they show is the
humanness in having a mate. People innately gravitate to others
for a sense of completeness. We are relational beings, with
a need to relate to others. In a fairy tale, these themes
are conveyed simply in a fantastical setting. In fact, fairy
tales serve as wonderful models to use when deciding on what
you want in your relationship.
Regaining a Belief in Fairy-Tales
How can we make romance just as magical as it is in the fairy
tales? All you have to do is create your own love story, the
greatest love story ever known. This means cherishing the
one you love as though he were a prince or she were a princess.
It means making your relationship a priority by including
romance as one of its basic ingredients. An apple a day may
keep the doctor away, but a kiss a day keeps others away.
Nancy Fagan, M.S., author of “The Complete Idiot’s
Guide to Romance” and
“Desirable Men: How to Find Them.” To read more,
visit www.expertloveadvice.com.
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