Do you remember the original film? Or perhaps you’ve been to the Stage Show, Wicked. If so, you may know that the book behind these adaptations of the story was written by L. Frank Baum in the 1900’s.
Baum was a political reporter, and historians have long-since established that the story had underlying symbolic messages. Messages that reflected the challenges of the day, which helped shape the story and the characters, that some of us will have come to know and love.
Don’t panic this post isn’t a history lesson. I was just struck when reading the story, about the story that there might be some parallels to life today. What do you think?
- Kansas the place that Dorothy lived was a dark, grey and troubled place. A place that you might very well want to escape from.
- Dorothy demonstrated some wonderful traits. She was kind, plucky, level-headed and is representative of people operating at the “very best version” of themselves.
- The Scarecrow who lacks a brain is full of self-doubt, owing to the absence of the cognitive processes that help to rationalise and make sense of difficult situations.
- The Tin Man is us when we need to “take heart, when we are struggling to deal with, and respond to, significant periods of change in our lives.
- That cowardly but lovable lion represents the version of self when life has knocked our confidence and our courage is failing or has deserted us.
We may find that these underlying positive messages might help us sustain and build the resilience that we will undoubtedly need as we face the challenges that lie ahead.
Oh, I meant to share that the red slippers that finally took Dorothy home represent protection, so my final message is to wish you a metaphorical pair of red slippers so that you and yours stay safe and well.
Best for now
Meryl
For more information about what MGL can do for you or your business please contact Meryl Gilbert on: –
07500 111388
or
Meryl@Merygilbert.co.uk