As you may know, I am currently writing a young adult fantasy novel. Recently, in my search for songs to inspire my writing, I came across the song "Happily Ever After" by Jenny Phillips, which was inspired by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk "Your Happily Ever After," given at the 2010 General Young Women Meeting.
(Due to a kink in the Youtube site, while I could post the shortened video of the talk above, I wasn't able to actually embed the shortened video of the song. I urge you to visit it at the link provided below.)
"Don't give up what you want most for what you want now."
I don't recall the first time I heard this adage, but I've been thinking about it especially of late. I've always loved fairy tales and stories with fairytale elements and endings--and what's wrong with that? Why shouldn't the guy get the girl, and why shouldn't they live happily ever after? Maybe this is just a part of me that will never grow up, but I just don't like bittersweet or unhappy endings.
No one gets to choose the circumstances of their birth or their childhood. But while we may not be able to control our "once upon a time," each of us has full control over our "happily ever after." We are each the master of our own destiny. I truly believe that every one of us can have our own happily ever after, and that each of us is responsible for making that fairytale ending a reality for ourselves. There is no one else to blame or give the credit to for our decisions. And while we cannot choose our consequences, if we make wise choices in the first place, we will naturally end up with the best possible outcome.
"Everything will work out in the end. If it hasn't worked out yet, then it's not the end."
If we are faithful to our Father in Heaven and to the promises we make to him, there is no power that can keep us from a happy eternal ending. While there will be hardships and heartbreaks in this life, I know that in the next life, we will be blessed for our diligence here on earth. The key is to never give up, and to set our sights on our dreams and to never relinquish them or compromise ourselves.
One of my favorite lines from the song is "be true to the royal that's inside of you." I personally know that the words to this song are more than just a metaphor. We are truly each a beloved son or daughter of heavenly parents, a prince or a princess, a king- or queen-in-training. But if we are to inherit our eternal destiny, we must first lay the groundwork for it. We must keep God's commandments. We must remain true and faithful to the very end. We must see each and every day as an opportunity for continued growth, a new beginning. I know that each one of us has the potential to become like our Father in Heaven, if we but stand strong in our testimonies.
I would like to close this message by posting the full words to the song, as well as a link to the shortened video that accompanies it.
Happily Ever After
(Jenny Phillips/Tyler Castleton/Cherie Call)
Once upon a time
A child was born into this life
Heaven could be seen in her eyes
There was no doubt she was divine
And if you are still you will feel the truth
That the princess in this wondrous story is you
It’s your time
It’s your destiny to shine
So arise
Be true to the royal
That’s inside of you
Don’t settle for the story that
The world would have you write
You were born to reach eternal life
Let faith fill every chapter
Let the Savior lead you to
Happily ever after
Sometimes in your life
The world will cast a spell
And try to make your conscience fall asleep
And forget the woman God would have you be
But if you are still you will understand
The noble role you play in his plan
It’s your time
It’s your destiny to shine
So arise
Be true to the royal
That’s inside of you
Don’t settle for the story that
The world would have you write
You were born to reach eternal life
Let faith fill every chapter
Let the Savior lead you to
Happily ever after
When the forests fills with darkness
And wolves seek your soul
Just know
You are simply in the place between
Your once upon a time and your triumph in the end
It’s your time
It’s your destiny to shine
So arise
Be true to the royal
That’s inside of you
Don’t settle for the story that
The world would have you write
You were born to reach eternal life
Let faith fill every chapter
Let the Savior lead you to
Happily ever after
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