The Hidden Truth

I do not remember the first time I saw the movie, The Wizard of Oz, but I do remember watching it with my kids a few times. The more I watched this movie, the more I noticed the similarities and differences between The Wizard of Oz and Dorothy as well as how they both “got well,” and found their way back home. 

First of all, both Dorothy and the Wizard landed in the Land of Oz by accident. Neither Oz nor Dorothy had had any control of the circumstances that took them into a foreign land. Oz’s hot air balloon had flown off course while Dorothy’s house was lifted out of Kansas by a tornado. Regardless of their circumstances, both of them ended up in a foreign land.

Once in Oz, they both longed to go back to the comfort and security of home. Consequently, until they found their way back home, both Dorothy and the Wizard had to survive while in the land of Oz. This is where their similarities end. 

When Dorothy landed in Oz, Glinda, the Good Witch appeared and gave Dorothy some advice, “Follow the Yellow Brick Road.” Dorothy made the choice and began following the Yellow Brick Road. 

The Wizard, who was just a common, ordinary man who happened to land in Emerald City, was chosen by the inhabitants to become their Wizard. This common man then decided to personify a powerful image while hiding behind a curtain. 

When Dorothy finally reaches Emerald City where she hopes the Wizard will help her find a way to get back home, she is disappointed by what she encounters; the smoke and fire of a scary image that refuses to help her. 

It is Toto, Dorothy’s dog, that pulls back the curtain to reveal the common, ordinary man who created the scary and powerful image of a wizard. After the ruse is revealed, the way home becomes possible for both the Wizard and Dorothy.

Uncovering the Ruse

Like Dorothy and the Wizard, all of us have at one time or another, landed in a foreign place, having arrived by circumstances beyond our control. For me, it was my father’s suicide. That particular incident took me away from the love, security and comfort of a father and set me down in a lonely and isolated place called confusion and despair, where I had to learn how to survive.  

Unlike Glinda, who appeared to Dorothy and gave helpful advice, no one appeared to me and offered me any guidance. I was on my own and because I was on my own, chose to conceal my hurt while at the same time, projecting an image of independence to the world. 

I got by with my lie for a while. Then, the curtain was pulled back by my rebellious teenage son. My son did not have to point out that my anger and rage was much worse than his unruly and wild actions. Every time I’d unleash my wrath, it became more and more apparent that I was the one who needed to change.

Why Bother?

Why bother exposing the truth? When our false images are revealed, then the healing begins and we can find our way back to where we belong.  

 

My workshop, Emotional Healing Through Forgiveness explores anger, resentment, bitterness, defensiveness, grudges, and misnomers surrounding forgiveness. Want to know more about healing and recovery from past hurts? Click on this link Workshop.