The Wizard of Oz

For a fairy tale written over 100 years ago and made into a classic movie "The Wizard of Oz" has great staying power. Some say there were political implications written in the book by the author but I prefer to forget all that and concentrate on Dorothy's three friends who she picks up on the yellow brick road as she wends her way to Oz to see the Wizard so she can get home.

I forget the order in which she meets them but I it would seem to me that they met in the order of importance of what they were seeking. The Scarecrow wanted a brain. The Tin Man wanted a heart. The cowardly Lion wanted courage. Of course to me Dorothy had all these things but she had to find her way home because that is where her heart was. On top of all that they were going to see a Wizard that wasn't a Wizard at all more of a con man who did it all with lights and mirrors.

So it seems that the theme of this is first of all one can't reach the destination of their heart and soul by the use of something outside of themselves. There are no Wizards, for the most part all we have is ourselves. While the traits of being smart and being able to figure out all the puzzles in the universe doesn't really mean much if you don't have the courage of your convictions to reach outside of your universe to attempt to reach beyond it all. Even with all that, one has to have a heart to see people and circumstances through the tender eyes of love never being judgmental, always trying to understand what moves the universe.

Jesus said, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.", and he also talked about having the courage to strive to obtain your treasure. Isn't this what "The Wizard of Oz" is all about? Isn't this what living life to the fullest is all about? I guess we have to define what our heart is dictating to us so we can recognize the true treasure we seek and then we have to work hard to obtain that treasure before time steals it from us.

"The Wizard of Oz" was published in 1900. The movie was released in 1939 and must have been played hundreds of times on TV during the holiday seasons. Judy Garland was just a teenager who was made for the role, Frank Morgan played two roles but he was the Wizard, on radio became known as the magnificent liar, Bert Lahr, Ray Bolger and Jack Haley played the Cowardly Lion, the scare crow, and the Tin Man respectively.  And they played their roles magnificently as though they were made to play it. Almost perfect casting for all who were in the movie. The story, the theme always came forth, 'Your treasure is where your heart lies". The thought of it all has caused me to dig deeply to find where my heart lies so I can find my treasure before it is all used up. Have you taken the time to become a bit introspective and ask yourself, "Where does my heart lie?" so you can find your treasure?