ramblings from a fairy tale

While I was on blog hiatus,  I had various rambling thoughts.  One particular rambling thought was  about  Dorothy -   the 12-year old girl in the classic children's novel "The Wizard of Oz". 

I think  all of us have a bit of Dorothy within us as we go through our own yellow brick road journey.  Along the way, we will meet or we have already met the Wizard, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Wicked Witch, Lion  and flying monkeys in our own lives 

This movie/novel really captivated me with its unforgettable life lessons.  Allow me to share with you a few lessons from the Wizard of Oz movie.

1.  Always look within.  Remember when Dorothy starts to cry when she missed the balloon flight for home?  Glinda, the good witch, tells her about the ruby slippers.   "Close your eyes and tap your heels together three times.  And think to yourself there is no place like home."   We all have the capabilities and tools to achieve our dreams and goals.  We just have to look within us and believe.  But human as we are, we also need to look up and seek His guidance.

2.  Value friendship.  During her journey, Dorothy met the tin man, the scarecrow, the lion and Toto - her loyal friends who helped her all the way.  Accept your friends for who they are and remember that they may also need a little help from you in one way or another.  Life's journey could be hard alone, we need good friends along the way.

3. Don't wear masks.  One of the most memorable scenes in the movie was the discovery that the much-feared Wizard was just an ordinary mortal. He had no magical powers.  The lesson here is toalways be true to ourselves.  Don't try to be something or someone that you are not because the people who matter in this life will always love you no matter what.

4.   Follow your own  yellow brick road.  In the story, the good witch directs Dorothy to the yellow brick road and tells her about the one person who will help her find her way back home to Kansas. At one time or another, I asked the opinion and advice of some friends, relatives or colleagues regarding some personal issues but eventually I learned to follow and listen to that inner voice within.  We have to discover our own path in life - the way we want to be, where we want to go and how to live this journey.

5.  Don't give up your ruby slippers.  Sometimes we encounter difficult situations and challenges and we may be forced or tempted to give up our values and principles, hang on to those ruby slippers.  Stand firm and be true to yourself if you know in your heart that you are right.

There are many more lessons to be learned from this timeless classic but Julienne Le Fleur said it all in one sentence - "Along the yellow brick road of your life, if you remember to travel with love, wisdom and courage, you have the power within you to make your dreams come true."