From Average Joe to Rollin' in the Dough..

Cinderella - one of the most commonly read and interpreted "rise stories", tells the tale of a girl, although once royal, who was demeaned to rags. Through magic and marriage, Cinderella was able to transform her life from rags to riches once again. Although many cynics would read this story and say "Well, that could never happen to me because magic doesn't exist and marrying royalty is out of the question," not all rags to riches stories are found in fairy tales such as Cinderella and Aladdin.

Cinderella's rags are transformed into a beautiful, shimmering ball gown.

I believe that anyone can do what they dream of doing through perseverance and networking. In this day and age, it is all about who you know and what you know. It doesn't take magic or even marrying into a rich family to make something of your self. Take Oprah Winfrey for example - born to unwed, teenage parents who split up soon after her birth, Oprah lived with her grandmother in Mississippi with very little. Oprah didn't have much and began rebelling once she went to live with her mother in Milwaukee. Despite rebellious behavior and becoming pregnant at the age of fourteen (although the child died a week into the pregnancy), Oprah's father tried to be more strict with her and force her to utilize the intelligence he knew she was capable of.

Oprah struggled to become the strong, successful woman she is today. She began as a "quiet grocery store worker" and has made a name for herself worldwide as a successful business worker, talk show host, actress, producer and much more. Oprah Winfrey was able to do something extraordinary - discipline and push herself to become what may have seemed impossible at times. Although the story of Oprah Winfrey may seem unparalleled to Cinderella, there are many similarities and much hope for people.

Oprah Winfrey

It may seem as though Cinderella was just handed her new status and while that may seem true, she went through many struggles after her mother died. Cinderella could have been given the world when she was a young girl if her mother hadn't died however, after her father remarried, she was made the household slave. She had to do everything for her stepmother and stepsisters and her own father never stepped in to say a word. He treated the stepdaughters as his own and his own daughter became an outcast in her own home. Cinderella didn't have it easy - neither did Oprah Winfrey. Oprah Winfrey worked her way up the totem pole to become a desirable, respectable American role model. While Cinderella did not become a role model, she was enviable and her servant days were over. After what seemed like a long, never-ending downward spiral, both Cinderella and Oprah hit rock bottom and became what they had always envisioned.

Cinderella's Transformation

Oprah Winfrey has not been the only story of rags to riches and these so called "rise stories" are not only to be found in fairy tales. Anyone is able to achieve what they desire if they just believe. :) Perseverance and discipline is key.