Just got back from seeing the movie, Snow White and the Huntsman. I went in expecting a fairy tale but I left with hope and encouragement. You see - I've been feeling kind of negative towards the notion of fairy tales thinking "happily ever after" is simply a myth. But what if it's not? What if - it actually IS possible? What if "happily ever after" has more to do with mindset or perspective than anything else? I mean, no matter what darkness comes to us, there is always a bright side. ALWAYS.
I'm sure if I watched this movie again, I would find more little snippets that would spark my curiosity but for now, I just want to look at two of the scenes that gripped me.
The first scene that got my wheels turning was the scene where Snow White and the huntsman crossed the bridge and encountered a very fierce and threatening troll. The troll tormented the huntsman and threw him down and although the huntsman had urged Snow White to run, she hesitated. She then found courage within herself to stay and fight.... Or not fight really - because when she began to face the troll, she had no weapon. She stood there, firm in her stance but with a glisten in her eye. As she gazed at the troll in an understanding, almost loving way, he began to soften. His growling and teeth bearing wretchedness began to wane. The tension in his body lessened and he too began to gaze back with humbleness and almost gratuitous demeanor. He then turned around and sauntered off in peace.
What if we faced our most threatening situations or hurtful relationships the same way? How many times have I avoided someone out of fear, or run away from a potential conflict just because I was afraid to deal with it? What if I had faced the conflict head on but with an attitude of love and understanding? Snow White portrayed an assertiveness with the troll that I'd like to see in myself. Aware of the threat, but able to stand her ground without striking back. I so respect that quality!
She did this again at the end of the movie. The queen had been trying to hunt her down through the entire movie because she wanted Snow White's heart. She needed this heart to keep up her own strength and maintain her youth. Her motive was purely selfish. Snow White had been afraid of the queen through most of the movie and even let the queen get the best of her on several occasions. She had been abused, beaten down and even tricked into death by this evil woman. But in spite of it all, there was a way out of that - a way to break the spell. The kiss of the right man, spurned new life in Snow White. It gave her insight she did not have before and courage unlike anything she'd ever displayed. She was now ready to fight the queen..... for her life and the life of the kingdom. And fight she did. By the time she had weakened the queen almost to death, she was once again in a similar situation to the previous one with the troll. She gazed upon the queen with a seemingly sad gaze. I presume it to be a sadness for understanding how terrible it must be to live with so much evil in one's heart. She pitied the queen and softened as the queen died. Her anger lessened and she told the queen softly but firmly - "You cannot have my heart".
In the past year, I've faced situations similar to the fight she endured with the queen. I feel empowered now because of the battles I've seen. I have conquered the abuse and confusion and stared it in the face until it softened and wandered away. I have now uttered - "You cannot have my heart"
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