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.ExpertDatingAdvice.com.
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