Do you believe in happily ever after or is it just a pipe dream?

We grow up knowing Neverland might keep us young. We would like to believe in a kitchen that cleans itself and offers delectable teas in the magical castle of a Beast. And is it possible intricate gowns, and magical stagecoaches might help us score the handsome prince?
Maybe.
And the story tells us, they all lived happily….

But you know as well as I do, the ever after, is the real test.
This week John of the Lens Artists community challenges us with Flights of Fancy: a soaring imagination an unrealistic notion, and one that possibly came true.
I think of little kids dreaming to grow up with aspirations of being rich, famous, and living happily ever after. We know the fairy tales aren’t true, but professional athletes, and film stars show us glamour, and how the Hollywood elite might live. Can’t we do that too?
I guess castle life might have it’s perks.

But honestly, I am not certain, a handsome prince and a castle could be my modus operandi. I feel myself sweating at the notions, as it would would be too stifling for my free-spirited nature. I just wanted to explore where we might land in life, and see the world. And I wanted my prince to be someone who would love that with me.
Queens Trail in Bryce was a nice idea.

Secret places with legends and hideaways? That works.

And while I do believe in happily after, I also believe it isn’t handed to you. In fact, sometimes it is a lot of work.
I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it’s not the answer. – Jim Carrey.

So, let us be rich in character.

Let us be rich in joy and laughter:

Let us be rich in wisdom.

Happily ever after?
Stay tuned. That journey with my handsome prince continues.

Wind Kisses, Donna
Join the Lens Artists weekly challenge here.
Glorious post, Donna. True advice, too. 🙂
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Thank you Marsha.
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Yes get into that castle and clean all of those rooms!!! There is no happily ever after. I am working on ever after now. You have magic photos and an great eye that captures life. Onward with your prince and your pumpkin coach 🙂
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Thank you so much Brian. Yes. I definitely think of the poor souls who have to clean all the rooms. No thanks. Give me a hammock attached to two trees and I am good.
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I love your take on the prompt and I agree, happily ever after is often the true test for endurance.
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Always. Makes the good times worth it.
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Donna, Thanks for sharing your amazing photos and wonderful thoughts on happily ever after. Yes, it is a lot of work. I love your outlook on life. It’s the little things that make us rich.
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Thank you Beth. We have traveled lots of roads. It is always the little things. Thanks again for your note.
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My guy and I have adopted “It’s Never to Late to Live Happily Ever After.” We met later in life…!
And yes… we are rich with simple pleasures and the work that makes it all so worth it.
Love your pictures and thoughts!
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Thanks Nancy. It is funny. My in-laws are in their mid 80s and just hit the road in their new Bronco. They just want to wander the country. While we are happy for them, they aren’t very healthy and we know it would be us to rescue them. But…it that’s what makes them happy then I guess it is just want needs to be. Living life to their fullest, as we all do shouldn’t stop because everyone tells you too.. Right? lol
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I think… 🤔
We want them to be safe… and if they are having fun. Well that’s what is important. I think… 🤔
lol!
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hahaha. Yes. I told my husband …that will be him.
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Donna, I love your take on the challenge. Such a thoughtful post, and I enjoy your image selection. We saw several castles on our European journey, and I can see your point. 🙂
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Thanks John. It was a wonderful challenge. I am glad you liked it and I also enjoyed the many interpretations.
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Great thoughtful and thought-provoking post. I don’t believe happily ever after is something that happens to you but it is something you can make happen if you are lucky enough to meet thee right person who is willing to work alongside you to make it happen. You’ve found him, so have I. Aren’t we fortunate?
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We sure are…most of the time. lol. Now if everything could just ALWAYS be MY way…. Just kidding. We are loving life, best we know how.
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Very interesting, Donna!
These captures from you are certainly enriched with wonderment, which is just so right 🙂
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Thank you.
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Wonderful images to go with your words, Donna! Who needs stone-and-mortar castles when we can see nature’s own?
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Exactly!!! Thanks Terri.
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Oh my goodness Donna, I just loved they way you put this together, it’s just something I want to cut out and hang on my wall. Yes the images are beautiful as always but the story you’ve woven about “happily ever after” really touched my heart. I so agree with you but would never have written it as beautifully as you have. The best!
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Thank you so much Tina. The stories tell themselves.
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Great photos, great thoughts. I love castles and I love Bryce.
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Thank you. Me too.
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This is such a beautiful post – and thoughtful and wise. You write it so well, I can hear your thoughts. Not many of us have that ever after thing…I have been married for 44 years, and happily – no, only sometimes. Sometimes it’s a struggle, and my advice to my children is: Never marry young. Chance is that you grow apart when life changes and you find a new job, maybe study for many years or go through other changes in life. Children?
So glad you found a happy after! …we are maybe getting there now as retired. It is the little things that make happiness, but also the little things to start nagging. Our solution since the children moved has been to live our lives as we want them, each his/her way, and together when possible or wanted. Respect is essential.
Now I got personal again, sorry if too much… Qarm Hugs from me.
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Love it. Yes. Definitely important to have “your, mine and ours”. For many years I had to be independent with his deployments. When he retired he kept saying: “what are WE doing today? HE has since figured that out. To have a WE. I need a me. lol. have a nice weekend.
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Haha, thank you – you too!
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Beautifully and poetically expressed through your words and photos, Donna! Inspiring, indeed.
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Thank you Amy. Always love the challenges… Make ME think too.
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