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Dreams, Wishes, and Cinderella

Birthday wishes are special, right?

Birthdays are days for wishes, right? And birthday wishes are special, aren’t they?

As a rational human being, I try not to wish. Dictionary.com defines wish as “to want; desire; long for….” I’ve functioned more on work and sweat, and the belief that to get where I want to go, I have to work long and hard, not just long for something to happen.

Where does Cinderella come in all of this? When I was three, we had a VCR (state-of-the-art technology then) and a videotape of Disney’s Cinderella. I watched it over and over again, day after day. My older brother remembers being sick one day and he ended up watching it with me three times in a row. I think he wished (he he) that he was in school instead.

Usually, I’m somewhat controlled in my responses to music. I have my favorite songs, but in general, strong emotion tied to lyrics or musical phrases does not move me to a changed emotional state—and even more rare is when I’m moved to tears.

Yet, the simplest of melodies and phrases often surprise me. Ironically, the songs with which I experience the most emotion are from the Disney movies I watched in my childhood.

I have four contenders for the most emotionally moving songs from my childhood:

I think the one I feel most keenly about is “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid. But today’s post is on wishing, so I’ll highlight “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes.” All of them still move me to tears–not for brilliance of performance or particular musical genius, but for the simple fact that the feelings are hopeful and accessible to me.

By way of a disclaimer, I do not have a princess complex. I don’t believe in being rescued. I don’t believe in “happily-ever-afters” either. I believe in being responsible for my choices. I believe in making choices that foster happiness and joyful progress. In many ways, Disney renditions may include magic and rescue, but they are hopeful and highlight personal responsibility. These are the memories I value from the Disney animations I watched in my childhood.

So I do not believe wishing will make anything happen, but I believe that having real hopes and aspirations that drive us to work hard can bring about what we truly want. Check out “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” from Disney’s Cinderella.

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About Jillaine: As a professional jazz singer who also studies law, savoring daily nosh with family refreshes me. You are invited to my table to try great food, hear tasty music, and join in upbeat conversation!

  • Christie February 10, 2013, 10:59 pm

    Happy Birthday Jillaine! May your dreams come true.

  • Der Bingle February 12, 2013, 10:02 am

    My oldest daughter was born in 1988, and “Cinderella” was the first Disney movie we bought. We watched it over and over and over and over, until we got “The Little Mermaid”, which was a welcome respite! “Cinderella” is a great movie, but we parents need a break after the 65th showing :-)

    • Jillaine February 12, 2013, 4:41 pm

      Yes, parents definitely have great patience! I honestly don’t know how mine were able to stand up against the monotony!

      I think “The Little Mermaid” was probably the same thing for me…although it may have also been that I watched the “Cinderella” tape so many times it played back with scratches and the hold wouldn’t stay put!

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