Michael Lee StallardInspired by Ariel – Michael Lee Stallard

Inspired by Ariel

Michael Lee Stallard — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:19:31 +0000

When seven year-old Sierra Boggess first saw The Little Mermaid, she fell in love with Ariel. After Sierra learned that the woman who provided the voice of Ariel studied performing arts at Millikin University in Central Illinois, she announced to her parents that’s where she would be attending college. Sierra graduated from Millikin in 2004. Recently, she made her Broadway debut as the first actress to play Ariel in the Broadway production of The Little Mermaid.

Last week, my family and I went to see Sierra perform. She was stunning. Here’s a clip from YouTube.

Stories and the characters in them have the ability to inspire us. When I was a boy, I was inspired by Atticus Finch, Scout’s father, in To Kill a Mockingbird. His willingness to stand up against a mob to do what he knew was right, stirred my soul and made me want grow up to be like him, a man who had integrity, compassion, wisdom and courage.

How about you? What characters in fiction or non-fiction have inspired you? What was it about them that made you feel a connection with them? Sierra may have been inspired by Ariel’s beauty and courage. Both a “passion for beauty” and “courage” are character strengths among the 24 universal character strengths identified by psychologists in a landmark study. These character strengths are nearly always the source of inspiration in stories.

In my writing and speaking, I tell stories that illustrate the principles and best practices I recommend. The stories I use inspire people to become who they are capable of becoming. Story-telling is one of the essential elements necessary to bring about change. Change is difficult. It creates feelings of anxiety. It takes effort. It’s tiring. Absent the support that comes from inspiration, understanding and encouragement, change is unlikely to occur. Stories that inspire, help us keep what’s possible in our mind’s eye and help provide us the fortitude and courage to persevere.

My family and I had the privilege of briefly meeting Sierra Boggess last Thursday following her performance. As a father, I appreciate positive, encouraging stories like The Little Mermaid that inspire my daughters and performances like Sierra’s that vividly bring admirable characters such as Ariel to life. Thank you Sierra for following your dreams and for inspiring us with your heart-felt performance.

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