THE GLASS SLIPPER
THE GLASS SLIPPER
By Doris AC Johnson MA Psy, ABA
When I was a little girl, I was in love with the story of Cinderella. Not only did I love the storyline, but I was also in awe of the beauty of the illustrations. The colors leaped from the page and jumped into my imagination. That helped paint the picture perfectly. Hearing and reading the story was always mystical and magical. In fact, this book was one of the most popular amongst little girls.
I may be accused of having a lopsided view, but the reality is that most little girls have fairy tale dreams and as they blossom into young women, they begin romanticizing the perfect relationship. Let us be clear, there is nothing wrong with dreaming. A dream is birthed from a vision, and then it becomes an idea, thus in such becoming a goal. I wanted a glass slipper and I am sure I was not alone. However, Cinderella had to act as an indentured servant and carry the weight of three other people…that being her evil stepmother, and her two rude stepsisters. This weight is indicative of what many starry-eyed girls are forced to carry at some point in life. This burden may come from parental discord leading to a single-parent family who is often left to struggle or work harder than that of a two-parent family, broken heartedness, or becoming single parents themselves. With the story now being painted with a different brush, a different stroke, and on a strange canvas, the dream may begin to fade or become distorted during the evasive winds of change. Now the imagery of a glass slipper fitting perfectly has become real in its consequences.
As some women begin to move forward from these diverse circumstances, they are forced to stand in shoes that have a reinforced sole attached and then classified as being too strong, and too independent. I have been accused of this, but it is not a crime. She needs an understanding hand to lead the way. She is not less than a woman because of these things. The standards of Mr. Prince Charming have also changed, and so does the view from the opposing sex. She is still soft and lovable, but now the thought of the glass slipper has diminished, and she is now seeking the pink slipper and has not lost hope…but who will come near? Who will give her a purpose to love? If a man is interested in one woman, why not put her mind to rest and give her that lovely Victoria’s Secret bag containing the pink slipper. This is not about Men vs Women, or Venus vs Mars or the War of the Roses…It is about a romantic collaboration.
…I said what I said
