What the Movie the Wizard of Oz Taught Me About Life

I can still remember the first time I saw the movie The Wizard of Oz. In fact, my friends from school and I were so impressed with the TV show that at recess we would re-enact Dorothy's journey down the Yellow Brick Road. As a mother, I excitedly watched the movie with my children, and they were very impressed that their old mom knew every word to each song. At that moment they thought I was a genius. It's a shame that couldn't last forever. I still enjoy watching and singing along, but as I've gotten older, I realize that the true philosophy of life is contained in The Wizard of Oz.

For those not familiar with the story, The Wizard of Oz is based on a book written by L. Frank Baum is 1900. The story is about a young girl named Dorothy who lives on a farm in Kansas. One day she unexpectedly gets swept up in a tornado and transported to the magical land of Oz. She and her little dog, Toto, must then travel along the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City because she's informed that the powerful Wizard is the only one who can help her return home. The story is about her travels.

Good versus Evil

As in life Dorothy finds that she must makes choices. From the first moment she arrives and accidentally kills an evil witch, she has to combat evil in the form of the witch's sister. Life is filled with evil temptations that we must constantly battle. Like Dorothy, we must find strength in ourselves to fight the evil. Unlike Dorothy, we're not going to be able to drop a house on our evil temptations, but we can find other alternatives.

Dorothy's Encounters

On her trip to the Emerald City, Dorothy meets several characters along the way, just as we meet many people during our lifetime. In each instance, Dorothy takes time out of her travels to help them, which reaps her the reward of having their help later. Our lives can be enhanced by those people we meet through life.

Home is Where the Heart Is

Although Dorothy was in a beautiful place, she constantly told everyone she just wanted to go home. Sometimes we feel that we'd be happier if we chased after things that look better that what we have. Dorothy had thought that at one time herself. Soon we, like Dorothy, discover that it's not things or places that make us happy, but rather, it's discovering and enjoying the people and things around us.

Man Behind the Curtain

Dorothy soon discovered that the great and powerful Wizard was only a man with a bag of tricks and logic. It is easy to be deceived by those we see as powerful, trusting that they have more knowledge and intelligence. It is better to educate ourselves through life and to learn to trust our own judgment rather than depending on someone else for our decisions.

Journey Rather than Destination

As desperate as Dorothy was to return home, she realized eventually that she had grown and learned through her journey. As we travel through life, it is best to remember that it's the journey itself that is valuable and make the most of it.

Truly, The Wizard of Oz reflects all aspects of our lives. Every time I watch it, I learn something new. Thank you, L. Frank Baum, for the reminders.

Sources:

"The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum.
"The Wizard of Oz", MGM Studios 1939