{"id":120,"date":"2019-04-01T03:34:00","date_gmt":"2019-04-01T03:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/thepowerofpositivedoing\/?p=120"},"modified":"2019-04-01T03:34:00","modified_gmt":"2019-04-01T03:34:00","slug":"all-i-really-need-to-know-in-life-i-learned-from-the-wizard-of-oz","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/thepowerofpositivedoing\/2019\/04\/all-i-really-need-to-know-in-life-i-learned-from-the-wizard-of-oz.html","title":{"rendered":"All I Really Need to Know in Life I Learned from “The Wizard of Oz”"},"content":{"rendered":"

On May 17, 1900, Chicago publisher George M. Hill Company published L. Frank Baum\u2019s children\u2019s book, \u201cThe Wonderful Wizard of Oz.\u201d I\u2019m certain that neither Baum nor his publisher had even an inkling that their book would still be in print 119 years later \u2013 available in over fifty languages around the world, with sales in the tens of millions! And who could have predicted that the 1939 MGM film adaptation would become the most-watched movie in history \u2013 with over one billion<\/em> viewers, almost one-sixth of the world\u2019s population!<\/p>\n

Baum\u2019s Oz tale is a timeless classic, with all the elements of ancient myth \u2013 powerful, compelling, dramatic. It is the Hero\u2019s Journey: with a lead character who leaves home in search of happiness in a better world; who travels hither and yon on a personal quest; who ultimately comes full circle, arriving back home to discover that the treasure they sought was right there all along.<\/p>\n

The Oz story has not just one hero, but four \u2013\u00a0an ensemble cast questing together \u2013 each seeking something personal, something uniquely theirs. And when they finally reach the wonderful Wizard of Oz, they each get something different \u2013 but they all get what they need.<\/p>\n

The story of Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Woodsman, and the Cowardly Lion \u2013 and Toto, too \u2013 is the story of all who seek happiness and fulfillment in their own lives. It is the quest to discover your true self \u2013 to develop your own brains, heart, and courage.<\/p>\n

When I was a child, I read the Oz book. As I grew up, I watched the Oz movie \u2026 more than a few times. Over the years, I delighted in the Oz stage productions. And now, as I think about my life, I realize that all I really need to know about how to live a good life and be a good person, I learned from “The Wizard of Oz.” I found wisdom \u2013 not in sophisticated literature \u2013 but in a child\u2019s story. These are the things I learned:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Dream of the bright future you want.
\n\u2022 When there\u2019s a storm coming, take cover.
\n\u2022 When you\u2019re scared, hug your dog.
\n\u2022 If your house falls on someone, say you\u2019re sorry.
\n\u2022 If you discover you\u2019re lost, ask for directions from someone you trust.
\n\u2022 Be polite to little people and big people alike.
\n\u2022 Wear fabulous shoes.
\n\u2022 When someone needs your help, do your best to give it.
\n\u2022 Stand up to bullies and defend those who can\u2019t defend themselves.
\n\u2022 Sometimes the most unlikely people turn out to be the best of friends.
\n\u2022 Skip, sing, and dance \u2013 make life fun.
\n\u2022 There are good witches and bad witches \u2013 both are your teachers.
\n\u2022 When the going gets tough, stick together.
\n\u2022 Not everything that scares you is dangerous, and not everything that is dangerous scares you. Pay attention.
\n\u2022 Courage doesn\u2019t always roar \u2013 but it does when it needs to.
\n\u2022 The yellow brick road isn\u2019t all smooth and straight \u2013 you\u2019ll encounter obstacles, roadblocks, hazards, and detours. Be persistent.
\n\u2022 Wizards aren\u2019t always what they seem.
\n\u2022 Challenges teach you to be creative and resourceful.
\n\u2022 You have all the brains, courage, and heart you need \u2013 you may just need someone to remind you.
\n\u2022 People come and go in your life, but true friends live forever in your heart.
\n\u2022 Go where the love is. There\u2019s no place like home.<\/p>\n

\"BJ<\/a>
BJ Gallagher is the author of “The Leadership Secrets of Oz” (Simple Truths).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

On May 17, 1900, Chicago publisher George M. Hill Company published L. Frank Baum\u2019s children\u2019s book, \u201cThe Wonderful Wizard of Oz.\u201d I\u2019m certain that neither Baum nor his publisher had even an inkling that their book would still be in print 119 years later \u2013 available in over fifty languages around the world, with sales…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":434,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-120","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nAll I Really Need to Know in Life I Learned from "The Wizard of Oz" - The Power of Positive Doing<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"I found wisdom \u2013 not in sophisticated literature \u2013 but in a child\u2019s story, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz."\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/thepowerofpositivedoing\/2019\/04\/all-i-really-need-to-know-in-life-i-learned-from-the-wizard-of-oz.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"All I Really Need to Know in Life I Learned from "The Wizard of Oz" - 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