The Not So Grimm Truth- Achieving Your Dreams! You can do it too!

This Monday I'll share amazing ways to achieve your dreams, but first read the short tale, Water of Life below. This Grimm's Fairy Tale has gold nuggets of wisdom and a message on positive motivation. Below is my summery of the tale, and following the wisdom.

THE TALE

In a faraway land there was a dying king with 3 grieving sons. The only remedy was finding the water of life. Both the first and second Son's asked permission to find the water of life so that in the they'd inherit their Father's kingdom.

First the eldest, came upon a dwarf standing in the road who asked them The question, where are you off to so fast? He was rude, calling him a name, saying basically, "what's it to yah?" As he rode away, the dwarf in his anger cast a spell causing the prince to ride into a narrow gorge which he couldn't back out of. Therein he became stuck.

When after a time, he didn't return, the second son asked permission and with the same greedy intention, set out to find the water of life. He too came upon the dwarf in the road and responded the same, receiving his same just reward, a narrow gorge, never to escape.

When the elder sons never returned, the youngest prince asked permission to find the water of life and when the king obliged him, he set off. After a time, he too came upon the same dwarf, but instead of dismissing the dwarf, he answered his question and explained his situation.

The dwarf replied, "Because you were so pleasant with me I’ll tell you where to find the water of life but you will need 3 things."

The dwarf explained how that the water of life is in a faraway castle behind locked gates and guarded by two lions with opened mouths. He must knock on the gate three time's with an iron rod and feed the lions with two loaves of bread to subdue them, then find the water of life before the clock struck twelve o'clock.

If he didn't leave before the clock struck twelve, he'd be trapped there for an eternity!

The dwarf then gave him two loaves of bread and an iron rod and the prince set out to find the castle.

When he came upon the kingdom he did as was told and entered. In the first room he found enchanted prince's whom he removed their rings, and laying next to them he took a loaf and sword.

In the next room he came upon a maiden who promised to marry him if he returned in a year and she’d give him her entire kingdom.

In the third room he found a bed and lay down and fell asleep. He was awakened when the clock struck 11:45 and he ran through the castle finding the water of life pouring forth from a fountain. Beside it sat a cup, which he used to retrieve the water. He ran out of the castle as the clock chimed twelve, and the gate just clipped his heel.

When the prince came back to the same place in the road where the dwarf stood, he showed him his bounty, which the dwarf said the loaf would never run out and the sword could demolish any army. Then the prince inquired if the dwarf could help him find his brothers. He replied that he knew where they were but wouldn't tell him, until the young prince persisted and he gave in.

So, he freed his brothers both from their own hell hole and together they left to go home.

On the trip home they went through two separate starving kingdoms, which were besieged with enemies. So, he shared the loaf with the different kingdoms and the people were filled, and he loaned his sword to the Kings, and the enemies were cut down.

Finally, they arrived at a ship to cross the ocean and reach their own kingdom but along the way, the elder brothers contrived to trick the young Prince out of his inheritance. Whilst he was sleeping they switched his water for salt water and kept his for themselves.

Once they had arrived, the young prince ran in to give the water of life to the King, but

he only became sicker, and while he wailed in more pain than before, the older brothers came in an accused him to trying to kill the King.

The elder brothers laughed and mocked the young Prince to his face saying, "You went to all the trouble but we'll reap the reward! You should have been wiser and kept your eyes open. We stole it from you while you were asleep on the ship. When the end of the year comes, one of us will go and bring away the beautiful Princess. But, don't dare betray us. Our Father will certainly not believe you, and if you say a single word you will surely lose your life. Your one and only chance is to keep silence."

Then the elder brothers gave the King the real water of life and he was well again.

In the Kings anger of his son trying to kill him, he assembled the court to give judgement

and it was decided that he must be secretly got out of the way.

One day when the young Prince was out hunting and thinking of nothing evil, the King's huntsmen looked sad, and when the Prince asked him why he was troubled, he confessed of the order to kill him. But, he couldn’t go thru with it, and so the Prince asked to exchange robes. The Prince disappeared unharmed into the woods.

After a time, three wagon loads of gold and precious stones came to the King from his youngest son. They were sent by the kings who'd been saved by the Prince's sword and his miraculous loaf, and who now wished to show gratitude.

The king thought to himself, "What if my son really was innocent, and he said to his people, "If only he were still alive! How sorry I am that I ordered him to be killed.

“He’s still alive”, explained the Huntsman. The Kings heart was unburdened, and he sent out a proclamation to all of the kingdom that his son was to come home where he’d be received with great favor!

In the meantime the two older brothers hurried to marry the maiden. The princess had laid a street of gold up to her castle. She told her people that the bridegroom was the one who would ride straight along the golden road but, anyone who travels on the left or right of the street would not be her beloved - do not allow them entry.

The two eldest prince’s both traveled on either side of the golden street because they believed that the horses hooves would damage the street but when they reached the gate they were turned away.

After almost a year had passed the Prince set out from the woods to ride to his beloved. He went thinking only of her and how her love could help him forget all the trials he'd been through. Not even noticing the golden street because his mind was so occupied with the maiden, he rode straight up the path unto the gate, where the gate was flung open wide and the maiden received him joyfully.

After their wedding, the princess told him of his Father's remorse and forgiveness and the decree to have him come home. So, he went back and told his father how his brothers had tricked him, and how they forced him to keep silent. The old king wanted to punish them but they'd already caught ships and sailed away, never to be seen again.

THE INSIGHT

This tale's moral seems to be easy at first, "Keep your eye on your prize or it will be taken from you." --Not True!

Far Reaching Goals

But, the true insight of this tale is how the young Prince never gives up his tenacious and persistent goal focus! No matter the setback, he continues to be flexible, adjusting his aim for his goal. I don't know about you, but I prefer to achieve my goals as easily as possible. It's easy to give up and think that the reward just wasn't meant for you. But, without long rang vision, you're giving up something even greater! Many of your greatest achievements won't be accomplished in a quick time, and the most amazing of them will have a trillion setbacks, just ask any billionaire!

Appreciate the Little Guy

Notice how the third Prince, gave the dwarf just as much respect and attention and he would have anyone else. Clearly the huntsman also thought highly of the Prince, being that he was so overwhelmed with sadness. Evidently the Prince appreciated the "little guy" or in this case, the lower cast of people. You can assume at this point, he talked to them as he would those in his court. Not only did he talk as equals, but he cared how they felt and answered questions readily. He never thought of himself as to high or lofty to take knowledge from others, no matter who they were.

You can learn from everyone around you and get successful hints on how to reach the top!

Climbing to the top without hurting others

I know there's a saying, you have to step on people to reach the top. The second point of this tale, is how the young Prince, never tried to do his brother's dirty, even though they definitely deserved it. He kept his focus on his goals, no one upmanship, he didn't try getting them back.

Your mind should be unencumbered by malicious thoughts, but instead clear and concise, then you're able to affectively push your full energy into accomplishing your goals. That's achievement.

Help Others along the way

Your vision should never be so great that you can't help out those in need. The Prince didn't just rush home, he stopped and saved his brothers first. Then he stopped to feed and help save two other kingdoms along the way home. It seems to me the message here is never be too busy to help others. Whenever you pay it forward, it certainly comes back ten fold! As it turns out in our tale, it was those very kingdoms that proved to the Prince's Father, that he was of noble heart. Let your heart full of goodness and generosity, so that when others try to accuse you, you've got a kingdom of people standing behind you that you've helped.

Don't be dissuaded by setbacks

Yes, I hate roadblocks. You're driving home from work and picturing in your mind your relaxation, when suddenly you roll up on a road worker in an orange vest, flagging you to stop. There's a massive line of cars winding in front of you and the construction crew is blocking the highway. You can beat your steering wheel till your fist turns red, but that "little guy" in the orange vest is in control and you're going to have to wait on him to move!

You and I both know, that you're going to wait and you'll get home, but when it comes to goals, you might react differently.

Do you get distracted by gossip around the water fountain, accusations from a family member, or time restraints on your job?

If your life is normal, you get very close to achieving your dreams, then some roadblock comes along thwarting your plans!

The Prince in this tale held true to his vision, and in the end, he married a beautiful Princess and was exonerated with his Father.

Vision Growth Time

We don't know what the Prince did for that year, Grimm didn't find it important to let us in on that. The point was he knew how to wait it out. He probably stayed busy. We know he had a horse, so he wasn't so destitute that he was on foot. He never lost sight of his prize, and was ready when the time came to leave. Wow, how many life lessons are in that?

Do you get impatient when waiting for your income tax return? You'll notice in the tale several things had to happen for the Prince to be exonerated. He didn't try to beat his brothers to the Princess. He trusted in his own Universal timing.

If you rush the Universe, you'll miss out on your true miracle. Stay focused on your goals, and be ready when the time comes. You can achieve your dreams, but it may take some detours and be a bit of a wait, keep your motives pure, vision persistent, and aim clear- you'll get there!

Jeannie Irwin

Motivational Writer Life Coach Psychic/Medium