In The Wizard of Oz, there are many scenarios of good and evil and contrasting events that keep us on the edge of our seats. The movie started with the destructive tornado, the discovery of the dead witch, and quickly moved to the colorful contrast of the celebration in Munchkinland and the beginning of the fun in the journey to Oz. All the songs, dancing, pranks, scary parts and colorful characters are of course, what made it so entertaining.
Life is like that isn’t it? We have the good and the evil, the boring and fun, the peace and the horror, black and white, conservative and liberal. All these forces and events contribute to the world we live in. It is the life we live.
Without hate, we can’t know love. Without joy, we can’t know sorrow. Without fun, we wouldn’t understand boredom. Without chocolate, we wouldn’t taste vanilla.
This week, embrace all the opposites – the joy, the sadness, the senseless, the brilliance, the energy, the tiredness, the wins, the losses and realize that it all goes into creating your experience.
Pay attention to your experience and notice what you are observing about your life and the world around you. Have patience with yourself and others. Develop compassion for people in situations that are opposite from yours or when someone treats you totally different than you expect. Remember that our life is like a fabulous and interesting screenplay. We are in it, and even though we don’t know the ending, we can enjoy the journey.
All my best,
Kathy Garland
© Kathy Garland, 2007
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Sunday, July 15, 2007
I'd turn back if I were you
When I was a child, the tornado, witches, angry wizards and hosts of
witch minions were frightening. I’ve come to appreciate the humor
in the movie especially since starting the Ruby Red Slipper Club.
One of the funniest parts of The Wizard of Oz is when Dorothy
and her friends enter the Haunted Forest on the way to the castle
of the Wicked Witch of the West. A sign that said, “I’d turn back if I
were you” stopped them in their tracks. The Lion read the sign to the
group and then acting like the coward he didn’t want to be,
immediately turned tail to run away.
As soon as he bolted, the Tin Man and the Scarecrow
rushed after him and brought him back. He took a deep breath and
started again until they encountered the owls with red glowing eyes.
Once more, the Lion made an about face and headed the other way.
Without missing a beat, the Lion and Scarecrow brought him back.
Later, on the verge of reaching the castle, the trio was making plans
to rescue Dorothy and the Scarecrow told the Lion, “You’re gonna lead us.”
Of course, that sent the Lion into a dither, but his friends would not
take no for an answer.
The Tin Man and the Scarecrow were there for the Lion to help him
break through his fear and discover his true courage.
Great friends are like that – they stand for us, push us and believe in us
when we do not or are wavering in our courage and confidence. I have some
dear friends and clients who always encourage me when I am starting a new course or
developing a new idea. Sometimes I need a subtle (or not so subtle) push to
keep on my path and keep up my courage when I am moving into uncharted
waters. I am very blessed to have them in my life.
Encourage means to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence. All of us need
that from friends and family. This week, whom can you encourage to help along
their journey? It could be a friend, family member or complete stranger.
Be on the lookout for chances to encourage people. It will bring joy to both of you.
© Kathy Garland, 2007
Cordially,
Kathy Garland
Founder, Ruby Red Slipper ClubTM
witch minions were frightening. I’ve come to appreciate the humor
in the movie especially since starting the Ruby Red Slipper Club.
One of the funniest parts of The Wizard of Oz is when Dorothy
and her friends enter the Haunted Forest on the way to the castle
of the Wicked Witch of the West. A sign that said, “I’d turn back if I
were you” stopped them in their tracks. The Lion read the sign to the
group and then acting like the coward he didn’t want to be,
immediately turned tail to run away.
As soon as he bolted, the Tin Man and the Scarecrow
rushed after him and brought him back. He took a deep breath and
started again until they encountered the owls with red glowing eyes.
Once more, the Lion made an about face and headed the other way.
Without missing a beat, the Lion and Scarecrow brought him back.
Later, on the verge of reaching the castle, the trio was making plans
to rescue Dorothy and the Scarecrow told the Lion, “You’re gonna lead us.”
Of course, that sent the Lion into a dither, but his friends would not
take no for an answer.
The Tin Man and the Scarecrow were there for the Lion to help him
break through his fear and discover his true courage.
Great friends are like that – they stand for us, push us and believe in us
when we do not or are wavering in our courage and confidence. I have some
dear friends and clients who always encourage me when I am starting a new course or
developing a new idea. Sometimes I need a subtle (or not so subtle) push to
keep on my path and keep up my courage when I am moving into uncharted
waters. I am very blessed to have them in my life.
Encourage means to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence. All of us need
that from friends and family. This week, whom can you encourage to help along
their journey? It could be a friend, family member or complete stranger.
Be on the lookout for chances to encourage people. It will bring joy to both of you.
© Kathy Garland, 2007
Cordially,
Kathy Garland
Founder, Ruby Red Slipper ClubTM
Sunday, July 8, 2007
While researching The Wizard of Oz on Wikipedia Ifound out that Dorothy’s shoes were actually silver in the book series written by L. Frank Baum. Filmmakers changed the slippers to ruby to make them more visible on the screen. Ruby Red Slippers are much more fun than silver, wouldn’t you agree?
Let's focus on the Wizard. Dorothy and friends traveled a long way on the Yellow Brick Road, which seemed friendly enough at first, then proved to be somewhat perilous in their journey.
When they finally reached the Emerald City and were able to get in to see the Wizard, they found him shrouded in mystery and magic and were almost too terrified to talk to him. The Wizard did everything he could to make them go away. He gave them a seemingly impossible task of bringing him the broom from the Wicked Witch of the West.
Have you ever wanted to turn back, give up, and put your dreams on hold because of fear or some event you thought would keep you away from your goal? Have you been ready to give up because you aren’t making the progress you want? Has someone told you that you cannot reach your dreams?
Just like Dorothy and her friends, with any dream or big goal worth pursuing, there are going to be bumps along the way, setbacks and changes.
However, during the journey from Munchkin land to the Emerald City to the Wicked Witch’s palace and back to visit the Wizard, the Tin Man, the Lion and the Scarecrow found what they were looking for.
They needed the Wizard to bestow it upon them though. In addition, Glinda, the Good Witch, needed to tell Dorothy how to get back home.
Each one of them had the ability in them already and needed someone to guide them and recognize that quality or ability in them.
What would you like a wizard to grant you?
Perhaps all of us need a wizard to grant us permission to have what we want.
On the other hand, what if we are our own wizard?
What would you create for yourself?
Put yourself in wizards’ shoes this week.
What talent, goal, ambition, and personality trait do you want to grant yourself this week?
Have some fun and think of some magic you want to create with your talent, goals, ambitions or personality.
I’d love for you to send me your thoughts about this topic.
Also, please forward this to your friends and have them send me their email addresses if they would like to receive the Ruby Red Slipper Club messages along with you.
© Kathy Garland 2007
Until next week,
Kathy Garland
Founder of the Ruby Red Slipper ClubTM
Let's focus on the Wizard. Dorothy and friends traveled a long way on the Yellow Brick Road, which seemed friendly enough at first, then proved to be somewhat perilous in their journey.
When they finally reached the Emerald City and were able to get in to see the Wizard, they found him shrouded in mystery and magic and were almost too terrified to talk to him. The Wizard did everything he could to make them go away. He gave them a seemingly impossible task of bringing him the broom from the Wicked Witch of the West.
Have you ever wanted to turn back, give up, and put your dreams on hold because of fear or some event you thought would keep you away from your goal? Have you been ready to give up because you aren’t making the progress you want? Has someone told you that you cannot reach your dreams?
Just like Dorothy and her friends, with any dream or big goal worth pursuing, there are going to be bumps along the way, setbacks and changes.
However, during the journey from Munchkin land to the Emerald City to the Wicked Witch’s palace and back to visit the Wizard, the Tin Man, the Lion and the Scarecrow found what they were looking for.
They needed the Wizard to bestow it upon them though. In addition, Glinda, the Good Witch, needed to tell Dorothy how to get back home.
Each one of them had the ability in them already and needed someone to guide them and recognize that quality or ability in them.
What would you like a wizard to grant you?
Perhaps all of us need a wizard to grant us permission to have what we want.
On the other hand, what if we are our own wizard?
What would you create for yourself?
Put yourself in wizards’ shoes this week.
What talent, goal, ambition, and personality trait do you want to grant yourself this week?
Have some fun and think of some magic you want to create with your talent, goals, ambitions or personality.
I’d love for you to send me your thoughts about this topic.
Also, please forward this to your friends and have them send me their email addresses if they would like to receive the Ruby Red Slipper Club messages along with you.
© Kathy Garland 2007
Until next week,
Kathy Garland
Founder of the Ruby Red Slipper ClubTM
Monday, July 2, 2007
The Yellow Brick Road
I love the colors in the Wizard of Oz. The primary colors of Dorothy’s red slippers, the Emerald Palace of Oz and the Yellow Brick Road are visually engaging and add excitement to the movie.
L. Frank Baum chose yellow for the path for Dorothy to find Oz. It is a delightful Yellow Brick Road. He didn’t write the story so that she found her own way to Oz. There was a specific path to take.
The color yellow has multiple meanings according to people who study the color yellow and can range from positive aspects of increasing the power of concentration to negative aspects such as yellow journalism. I’ve included a few entries from websites on the color yellow:
Intellect, confidence, divination, communication, eloquence, travel, movement. Yellow is the color of the element of Air. It symbolizes the sun, grain, and the power of thought. To the Zuni, it symbolized the North. In Polynesia, yellow was a color of royalty and divinity.
http://www.angelfire.com/tx/wiccanfeatherwood/colors.html
Cheerful sunny yellow is an attention getter. While it is considered an optimistic color, people lose their tempers more often in yellow rooms, and babies will cry more. It is the most difficult color for the eye to take in, so it can be overpowering if overused. Yellow enhances concentration, hence its use for legal pads. It also speeds metabolism. http://www.infoplease.com/spot/colors1.html
I like the definition of yellow that describes yellow as enhancing concentration. Perhaps Baum knew instinctively that yellow is an energetic color and creates focus. The Yellow Brick Road was the way to the Emerald City and kept Dorothy and her companions on the path to reach Oz.
According to my friend, Debra Felske, owner of Remedies Wellness Spa, wearing yellow can help you stand out in a crowd. It gives the sense of limitless opportunities and definitely brings a ray of sunshine to a room.
Let’s focus on our limitless possibilities this week and use yellow to bring a ray of sunshine into your life and those of others.
© Kathy Garland 2007
Until next week,
Kathy Garland
Founder of the Ruby Red Slipper ClubTM
kgarland@quantapartners.com
972-529-6744
L. Frank Baum chose yellow for the path for Dorothy to find Oz. It is a delightful Yellow Brick Road. He didn’t write the story so that she found her own way to Oz. There was a specific path to take.
The color yellow has multiple meanings according to people who study the color yellow and can range from positive aspects of increasing the power of concentration to negative aspects such as yellow journalism. I’ve included a few entries from websites on the color yellow:
Intellect, confidence, divination, communication, eloquence, travel, movement. Yellow is the color of the element of Air. It symbolizes the sun, grain, and the power of thought. To the Zuni, it symbolized the North. In Polynesia, yellow was a color of royalty and divinity.
http://www.angelfire.com/tx/wiccanfeatherwood/colors.html
Cheerful sunny yellow is an attention getter. While it is considered an optimistic color, people lose their tempers more often in yellow rooms, and babies will cry more. It is the most difficult color for the eye to take in, so it can be overpowering if overused. Yellow enhances concentration, hence its use for legal pads. It also speeds metabolism. http://www.infoplease.com/spot/colors1.html
I like the definition of yellow that describes yellow as enhancing concentration. Perhaps Baum knew instinctively that yellow is an energetic color and creates focus. The Yellow Brick Road was the way to the Emerald City and kept Dorothy and her companions on the path to reach Oz.
According to my friend, Debra Felske, owner of Remedies Wellness Spa, wearing yellow can help you stand out in a crowd. It gives the sense of limitless opportunities and definitely brings a ray of sunshine to a room.
Let’s focus on our limitless possibilities this week and use yellow to bring a ray of sunshine into your life and those of others.
© Kathy Garland 2007
Until next week,
Kathy Garland
Founder of the Ruby Red Slipper ClubTM
kgarland@quantapartners.com
972-529-6744
Sunday, July 1, 2007
This weekend I went to ½ Price Books to sell some old books and found a VHS copy of The Wizard of Oz. It is such a delightful story. Although when I was a kid, I remember being terrified of those parts of the movie that are supposed to scare you, especially when the Wicked Witch of the West and those awful monkeys show up.
I watched the movie just to the point where Dorothy, Tin Man, the Lion and the Scarecrow are admitted to see the Wizard for the first time.
They have been happily traveling on the path of the Yellow Brick Road and easily reach the Emerald City where they think they have it made. However, the Wizard is more than they bargained for. The Wizard, as you remember, is very intimidating as he shows up as a larger-than-life shouting apparition spitting fire and smoke.
Dorothy and her friends must confront their fears and step up to the Wizard to ask for what they want. Moreover, as if that wasn’t enough, The Wizard demands even more from them – the Wicked Witch of the West’s broom.
Of course, the Great Oz knows that each one will find what they are looking for by doing the thing he asks. Dorothy will find her way home; the Tin Man will find a heart, the Lion his courage, and the Scarecrow his brains.
How often, on our own path, do we let the journey ahead look frightening to us, whether it is changing a job, moving to a new city, making a speech, going back to school, finding a relationship, starting a business or traveling alone? Whatever the fear is, it can certainly hold its grip on us and even though we haven’t met some scary Wizard who can grant us or not grant us our wishes, there might as well be.
I somehow think it would be easier if there were a nasty ol’ Wizard out there. It would give us a reason to stay safe and comfy, wouldn’t it?
However, everything you want is on the other side of fear. Usually your most important breakthroughs are on the other side of your fear. What could be more frightening than killing the Witch to get her broomstick?
Fears are something we need to get through in order to stay on our own Yellow Brick Road. Like Dorothy and her friends on a mission to get the Wicked Witch of the West’s broom, we all have our own journey to find what we are looking for.
Where are you holding back because of fear? What are you not contributing or giving to the world because you are afraid?
A few years ago, I visited the Georgia O’Keefe museum in Santa Fe and on a plaque was the following quote from her: “I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life – and I’ve never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do.” – Georgia O’Keefe
Think of the art that Georgia O’Keefe has contributed to the world. Had she stayed in her fear, we would not have seen nature and colorful Southwest landscapes through her eyes. The only way to get over fears is to go through with the thing you fear the most.
So this week, remember that any thing in your mind that causes you fear is the seed of something great. (Please don’t put yourself in danger though to get past fears!)
Dorothy found her home, the Lion found his courage, the Tin Man found his heart and the Scarecrow found his brains all after they confronted their fears.
What will you find this week?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I encourage you to forward this to your friends and have them reply so I can add them to the Ruby Red Slipper Club list. Email names and addresses will only be used for my purposes. I appreciate your ideas and encouragement.
Have a wonderful week!
Cordially,
Kathy Garland
Founder of the Ruby Red Slipper ClubTM
© Kathy Garland 2007
P. S. There is still time to sign up for The Power of Your PenTM. Details can be found at www.quantapartners.com or contact me at972.529.6744
I watched the movie just to the point where Dorothy, Tin Man, the Lion and the Scarecrow are admitted to see the Wizard for the first time.
They have been happily traveling on the path of the Yellow Brick Road and easily reach the Emerald City where they think they have it made. However, the Wizard is more than they bargained for. The Wizard, as you remember, is very intimidating as he shows up as a larger-than-life shouting apparition spitting fire and smoke.
Dorothy and her friends must confront their fears and step up to the Wizard to ask for what they want. Moreover, as if that wasn’t enough, The Wizard demands even more from them – the Wicked Witch of the West’s broom.
Of course, the Great Oz knows that each one will find what they are looking for by doing the thing he asks. Dorothy will find her way home; the Tin Man will find a heart, the Lion his courage, and the Scarecrow his brains.
How often, on our own path, do we let the journey ahead look frightening to us, whether it is changing a job, moving to a new city, making a speech, going back to school, finding a relationship, starting a business or traveling alone? Whatever the fear is, it can certainly hold its grip on us and even though we haven’t met some scary Wizard who can grant us or not grant us our wishes, there might as well be.
I somehow think it would be easier if there were a nasty ol’ Wizard out there. It would give us a reason to stay safe and comfy, wouldn’t it?
However, everything you want is on the other side of fear. Usually your most important breakthroughs are on the other side of your fear. What could be more frightening than killing the Witch to get her broomstick?
Fears are something we need to get through in order to stay on our own Yellow Brick Road. Like Dorothy and her friends on a mission to get the Wicked Witch of the West’s broom, we all have our own journey to find what we are looking for.
Where are you holding back because of fear? What are you not contributing or giving to the world because you are afraid?
A few years ago, I visited the Georgia O’Keefe museum in Santa Fe and on a plaque was the following quote from her: “I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life – and I’ve never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do.” – Georgia O’Keefe
Think of the art that Georgia O’Keefe has contributed to the world. Had she stayed in her fear, we would not have seen nature and colorful Southwest landscapes through her eyes. The only way to get over fears is to go through with the thing you fear the most.
So this week, remember that any thing in your mind that causes you fear is the seed of something great. (Please don’t put yourself in danger though to get past fears!)
Dorothy found her home, the Lion found his courage, the Tin Man found his heart and the Scarecrow found his brains all after they confronted their fears.
What will you find this week?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I encourage you to forward this to your friends and have them reply so I can add them to the Ruby Red Slipper Club list. Email names and addresses will only be used for my purposes. I appreciate your ideas and encouragement.
Have a wonderful week!
Cordially,
Kathy Garland
Founder of the Ruby Red Slipper ClubTM
© Kathy Garland 2007
P. S. There is still time to sign up for The Power of Your PenTM. Details can be found at www.quantapartners.com or contact me at
Welcome to the Ruby Red Slipper ClubTM
March 4, 2007
Hello!
Welcome to the Ruby Red Slipper ClubTM! Do you remember the first time you saw The Wizard of Oz? It’s a fascinating, magical movie and I’ve recently become curious about exploring the lessons of The Wizard of Oz and Dorothy’s journey of self-discovery. And also, to celebrate that, in some way, we are all like Dorothy and the characters in the Wizard of Oz. Perhaps it’s no accident that my last name is Garland.
My purpose in starting the Ruby Red Slipper Club is to share with you the joy in the journey of life – each of us has our own Yellow Brick Road – and to provide you some food for thought and inspiration for you to uncover what you want and how to get there.
You know the plot, Dorothy and her dog Toto are whisked away to the Land of Oz by a cyclone that hit her home in Kansas. During the rest of the movie, she is on a journey to find her way back home. She didn’t think she had the power in her to really get what she wanted. Of course, that is the central lesson of the movie. Dorothy had it in her all along to get back home.
You have everything you need to get what you want from life. Sometimes, like Dorothy, it takes adventure, hardship or unusual circumstances for you to define what you want and actually get there.
I’ll send you ideas and inspiration through email and eventually may start a blog. As I write this, the plan for the Ruby Red Slipper Club is unfolding and I’d love your ideas.
Next time, I’ll write about addressing your fears of going for your dreams.
I encourage you to forward this to your friends and have them reply so I can add them to the Ruby Red Slipper Club list. And email names and addresses will only be used for my purposes.
Have a wonderful week!
Cordially,
Kathy Garland
Founder of the Ruby Red Slipper ClubTM
© Kathy Garland 2007
Hello!
Welcome to the Ruby Red Slipper ClubTM! Do you remember the first time you saw The Wizard of Oz? It’s a fascinating, magical movie and I’ve recently become curious about exploring the lessons of The Wizard of Oz and Dorothy’s journey of self-discovery. And also, to celebrate that, in some way, we are all like Dorothy and the characters in the Wizard of Oz. Perhaps it’s no accident that my last name is Garland.
My purpose in starting the Ruby Red Slipper Club is to share with you the joy in the journey of life – each of us has our own Yellow Brick Road – and to provide you some food for thought and inspiration for you to uncover what you want and how to get there.
You know the plot, Dorothy and her dog Toto are whisked away to the Land of Oz by a cyclone that hit her home in Kansas. During the rest of the movie, she is on a journey to find her way back home. She didn’t think she had the power in her to really get what she wanted. Of course, that is the central lesson of the movie. Dorothy had it in her all along to get back home.
You have everything you need to get what you want from life. Sometimes, like Dorothy, it takes adventure, hardship or unusual circumstances for you to define what you want and actually get there.
I’ll send you ideas and inspiration through email and eventually may start a blog. As I write this, the plan for the Ruby Red Slipper Club is unfolding and I’d love your ideas.
Next time, I’ll write about addressing your fears of going for your dreams.
I encourage you to forward this to your friends and have them reply so I can add them to the Ruby Red Slipper Club list. And email names and addresses will only be used for my purposes.
Have a wonderful week!
Cordially,
Kathy Garland
Founder of the Ruby Red Slipper ClubTM
© Kathy Garland 2007
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.jpg)