A Lesson from Oz

Whenever I see a reference to The Wizard of Oz, I know the Universe is about to send me a message, so I’d better keep my eyes, ears and mind open. The reference is the key and I have to look for the true message.

References can come from any angle. For instance, the Barbie Oz collection in the toy store or an answer on Jeopardy! In an episode of the TV series Castle, a character referred to the ruby slippers. One key came with the Tarot of Oz—a deck I was asked to review.

An interesting key arrived when I was on a temporary job assignment. I had a feeling I was going to be offered a permanent position with the company and wondered if I should take it. I got the message when I noticed a piece of art in one office. It’s called Ditching Dorothy, and it depicts Dorothy standing in the middle of the road while the other characters drive off in an old car. I took the message as meaning I should take the job if and when it was offered. It was, I did, and I spent the next nine years there.

One key came directly from the 1939 movie. I tuned in just as the Wizard was preparing to leave Oz. Dorothy jumped out of the basket to retrieve Toto and the balloon started to lift off. When Dorothy implored the Wizard to come back, he admitted, “I can’t. I don’t know how.”

The message came in a flash of insight. The Wizard had convinced everyone (including himself) of his wisdom and abilities, yet when it came to actually using his knowledge and abilities, he couldn’t do it. I was reminded of the biblical quote, “Physician, heal thyself.”

Are we truly Wizards, or just the people behind the curtain putting on a smoke-and-mirrors show? How many of us talk a good life (spiritual or otherwise) and are able to help everyone but ourselves? We read all the “right” books, take all the “right” classes, attend lectures and workshops, etc. Yet we still suffer through the things we help our clients survive. Why do we limit ourselves?

We each need to learn the keys—what the trigger is that signals an upcoming message from the Universe. For me, it’s The Wizard of Oz (movie, not the books). The trick is recognizing the key and then watching for the door it will open. And then we have to do something with the lesson.