where’s my tiara?
a true story about finding the magic of my inner princess
by cheri britton

Approaching my fortieth birthday has made me do some strange things.

Picture this: I take a trip to New York City and I’m strolling through Greenwich Village enjoying the company of a good friend, taking in every sight, smell and sound when I happen to glance into a store window. There it is, sparkling in the light! Without an ounce of hesitation present in my body I confidently walk in and pick it out of the window display. Something deep in my soul told me that I must have it. It was my very own Tiara and I’m sure it possesses magical powers.

I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking that I’ve always been this way and now I’m just trying to justify an expensive purchase. But I’m not. I’m standing there, in the middle of New York City, trying to ascertain what in the world would possess me to buy a tiara. Am I delusional? Do I have some repressed urge to be marched around like cattle in some silly one piece bathing suit to be judged buy the entire world? No, not really. But I’ll share something with you: I think my inner feminist finally met my inner princess and I’m happy to report that they’re both doing very well. But this has not been easy.

Since the birth of my daughter, I’ve tried desperately to embrace the Princess and my princess tendencies. That archetype of the fair maiden who happily and merrily cleans after others, maintaining her snow-white complexion and elegant, callous free hands, never losing faith that her prince will come has, quite frankly, thoroughly disgusted me at times. I’ve read all of the stories. My daughter loves them. The idea of becoming a princess has quite a grip on her. Well why shouldn’t it? Why can’t we be our own lovely maidens? Cinderella cleaned, lived in a dysfunctional family, wore crappy hand me downs and still had the courage to go to the ball and find her prince. She became a Princess. Really, there are worse things to be.

So gradually, I have come to accept the Princess in me and know that it’s okay. My son points to my wedding photo and says, “Mommy Princess?” And I say, “Yes, dear.” Whenever someone asks my daughter what she wants to be she still announces confidently, “A Princess.” More than anything it seems to be my son who really understands the magic of the Princess. He has no preconceived notions. He has nothing to prove so he’ll twirl around the house in a beautiful gown loving the beauty of becoming this thing that so many others are afraid of. He just is.

What’s the harm in wearing this tiara? None. It only has the meaning that we assign it. So, I’ve decided that all self-assured, stately, powerful, luscious, charismatic women and men can sport their own tiara should they feel seized by the power of the Princess. My inner princess lives despite my aversions to wearing pantyhose, shoes with more than a 1 ½ inch heel and anything pastel. Besides, there is no fairytale that reads: And the lovely princess woke with her alarm blaring, jumped out of bed, ate a sugary coated breakfast, crammed herself into clothes she hated and rushed our the door to be stuck in traffic. Yet, that is what so many of us do. So, why are we also afraid to be fabulous?

To fully appreciate it we must first see the power in it. My daughter and son do. My son twirls better than anyone I know and he loves it. That’s what makes it special. Loving it. Ride your own wild stallion into the heart of your desires and find your Princess. She’s waiting. And boy is she ever something else. Love her and she’ll make you laugh. She’s not perfect. She’s a part of you.

Cheri Britton is a “Woman With A Lot to Say.” She ignites and energizes people and helps them create the lives they want. Drawing from her 17 years of work as an educator, trainer and facilitator, Cheri creates lively workshops and powerful presentations for her audiences. She speaks from her belief that everyone can live a passionate, fulfilled life if they have the courage and support to uncover their own unique strength and wisdom. Perhaps her most challenging and rewarding work (and great fodder for her programs) is raising her 8 year old daughter Sawyer and 3 year old son Noah. Married for 16 years to her husband Chris, they enjoy their exciting and demanding lives in Asheville, North Carolina.
[828-274-3541; cheribritton.com;cheri@cheribritton.com]