Of all the Disney princesses, I think that Cinderella might be the most underrated. People are quick to throw her under the bus for not having any modern values, but I beg to differ. She and Belle are a close tie for my favorite, but Cinderella has a lot to teach us about life. If you ever need a few pearls of wisdom, you don't have to look far.

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1. There is great strength in kindness.

As important as it is to be able to stand up for yourself and shut down bullies, it's also important to know when to pick and choose your battles. To the modern person, it may seem like Cinderella took everything lying down, but she exhibited a lot of strength in her kindness towards others.

2. Never stop believing in your dreams.

There's something to be said for optimism. You can live life with the glass half empty or half full. Cinderella lost everything as a young girl, which is reason enough to lose hope and ambition. Instead of giving up on her hopes and dreams, she went about her life never forgetting them.

3. Don't be afraid of a little hard work.

If Cinderella knew anything, it was the value of good work ethic. Her stepmother may have forced her into doing all of the work, but she did it with a smile and a hum. When life deals you a bad card, why not make the most of it?

4. It's OK to cry.

We live in a culture that makes you seem weak for crying, but there's a strength in showing vulnerability. It takes a certain level of self-assurance to know that tears are simply a way to let out the overflow of emotions. There is not a single human alive who can keep every emotion pent up forever.

5. It's OK to do things for yourself.

After all, if we aren't taking care of ourselves, how can we fully serve others? Sometimes, it's OK to be a little selfish.

6. Let it go.

Cinderella was an expert at shaking it off. She constantly had her step-family breathing down her neck and harassing her, but she refused to let it get to her. Imagine how much happier and mature we'd be if we could acquire this skill?

7. Don't be afraid of being a little idealistic.

Every accomplishment and milestone started out as a dream. We can't be afraid to think outside the box, even if we're labeled as dreamers. Imagine the world "not how it is, but how it could be."

8. Love can happen when you least expect it.

Cinderella is often accused of having everything handed to her, including her prince charming. The thing is, however, she didn't go to the ball to find love! She went to the ball to escape her normal life and have a good time. Isn't that why we go out? It just so happened that she met the love of her life.

9. Don't let obstacles stop you from living.

Cinderella lost her mother, gained a new step-family who didn't love her, and lost her father all at a very young age. Her childhood consisted of being a maid in her own home, yet she never stopped dreaming or working. Her godmother may have supplied the dress, glass slippers, and transportation, but Cinderella took the lead from there.

10. Know your self-worth.

Cinderella understood that she was more than a maid. She believed in herself enough to know that the way she was treated in no way reflected who she actually was. The moment we give ourselves permission to love ourselves, we relinquish the power anyone else may hold over us.

11. You can only pretend to be someone else for so long...

“To be seen as we truly are, is the biggest risk we will ever take. Will we be enough as we really are?”

You can only be someone else for so long before the real you comes out. It can be fun to dress up for a night on the town, but morning always comes. Remember that who you are is even better than the dress and make-up. Why? Because it's the real you.

12. To forgive is the most courageous act you could ever make.

This may be one of the biggest life lessons Cinderella can teach us. She got her dream, which was to have a life outside of being her stepmother's maid. She found love. She was even able to banish her step-family for their crimes and mistreatment of her. With all of this, she very easily could have been bitter and condescending towards the people she lived with. Instead, she uttered the most powerful and humbling words that her stepmother could have heard: I forgive you.