A long time ago I first watched an amazing and timeless film called “The Wizard Of Oz.” For those of you that haven’t seen it… Oh who am I kidding if you haven’t seen it you’re a looser…
If you know the story skip ahead of the summary below, but just note that you’ll be missing some potential inside jokes.
**PLOT SUMMARY BEGIN**
Twelve-year-old orphan Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland) lives in rural Kansas with her Aunt Em (Clara Blandick), Uncle Henry (Charles Grapewin), and three farm hands, Hickory (Jack Haley), Hunk (Ray Bolger), and Zeke (Bert Lahr). When irascible townswoman Miss Almira Gulch (Margaret Hamilton) is bitten by Dorothy’s dog Toto, she gets a sheriff’s order and takes Toto away to be euthanized. The dog escapes and returns to Dorothy. She runs away with Toto to protect him.
Dorothy soon encounters a fortune teller (and professional Midwestern huckster) named Professor Marvel (Frank Morgan in the first of five roles he plays in the film). He guesses Dorothy’s situation. He commands her to close her eyes so that he can tell her fortune. While her eyes are shut, Professor Marvel sneaks a look at a photo of Dorothy and Aunt Em. He tells Dorothy that Aunt Em has fallen ill from grief, causing her to rush back to the farmhouse just as a sudden tornado rolls in. Unable to join her family in the locked storm cellar, she takes shelter inside the house and is knocked unconscious by a window which comes loose.
When she first awakes she finds herself up inside the cyclone watching people, pets and a pesky witch thumbing for hitch fly by her window. When the house lands, intact, she opens the door and finds herself over the rainbow in a magical but somewhat dangerous land known as Oz. Stepping out of what was up to then a sepia-toned black-and-white film into full three-strip Technicolor, Dorothy finds herself in a strange village. Glinda, (the “Guh” is silent) the Good Witch of the North (Billie Burke), arrives magically via a bubble. She informs Dorothy that she (or rather her falling house) has killed the Wicked Witch of the East.
The timid Munchkins come out of hiding to celebrate the demise of the Witch by singing a medley that includes “Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead“. The Wicked Witch of the West (Margaret Hamilton again) magically appears and tries to claim her sister’s powerful ruby slippers. However, Glinda uses her powers to transfer the slippers from the dead witch onto Dorothy’s feet and reminds the Witch of the West that her power is ineffectual in Munchkinland. The Witch vows revenge on Dorothy (uttering her famous line, “I’ll get you, my pretty. And your little dog, too!”) before leaving the same way she arrived. Glinda advises Dorothy to seek the help of the mysterious Wizard of Oz in the Emerald City however Dorothy, being a girl, has no sense of direction. Glenda advises her to simply “follow the yellow brick road” in order to find her way to the Wizard. She warns Dorothy never to remove the slippers or she will be at the mercy of the Wicked Witch.
After a musical send-off from the kindly and whimsical munchkins, Dorothy soon faces a crossroads on the yellow brick road. There she discovers a dancing and musical Scarecrow (Ray Bolger again) that hasn’t got any brains. Dorothy finds him fascinating and invites him to go off with her to see the Wizard (the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.) Her reason is because, because, because, because, because, because of the wonderful things he does.
It’s not long before the duo becomes a trio after discovering a Tin Man (Tin Woodsman to be exact) rusting in the woods. He has no heart and would give anything to feel love. Dorothy and the Scarecrow invite him to join them on the trip to see the Wizard. After a brief second run-in with the Wicked Witch, the trio finally come face to face with a large but Cowardly Lion. The Lion is also seeking something: the nerve…
The three decide to accompany Dorothy in the hope that the Wizard will also give them their desires. Along the way, they behave in ways which demonstrate that they already have the qualities they believe they lack: the Scarecrow has several good ideas, the Tin Man is kind and sympathetic, and the Lion is ready to face danger, even though he is terrified.
Their triumph is thwarted temporarily by a field of poppies, poppies that make them sleep. In a pure Deus Ex Machina plot point, Glenda steps in and causes it to snow, thus putting the poison poppies plum out of punch and allowing the weary friends to arrive at the Emerald City. After getting cleaned up they are given an audience with the Wizard of Oz, who appears as a disembodied and imposing head. In a booming voice, he states that he will consider granting their wishes if they bring him the Wicked Witch’s broomstick.
They set out for the Witch’s castle, but she detects them and dispatches her army of flying monkeys; they carry Dorothy and Toto back to her. When the Witch threatens to drown Toto, Dorothy agrees to give up the slippers, but a shower of sparks prevents their removal. While the Witch is distracted, Toto escapes. The Witch says that the shoes cannot be removed unless Dorothy dies; she leaves to ponder how to accomplish this without damaging the shoes.
Toto finds Dorothy’s friends and leads them to the castle. After ambushing some of the Winkie guards, they disguise themselves in the guards’ uniforms, enter, and free Dorothy. The Witch and her soldiers pursue and corner the group on a parapet. Then the Witch sets the Scarecrow’s arm on fire. When Dorothy throws water on her friend, she accidentally splashes the horrified Witch. To everyone’s surprise, the Witch melts away. The soldiers are delighted. Their captain (Mitchell Lewis) gives Dorothy the broomstick.
Upon their triumphant return to the Emerald City, Toto exposes the Wizard (Frank Morgan again) as a fraud, opening a curtain and revealing a non-magical man operating a giant console of wheels and levers. They are outraged, but the Wizard solves their problems with common sense and a little double talk. He explains that they already had what they had been searching for all along and only need things such as medals and diplomas to confirm it. The Wizard reveals that he too was born in Kansas and that he was brought to Oz by a runaway hot air balloon. He offers to take Dorothy home in the same balloon, leaving the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion in charge of the Emerald City.
Just before takeoff, Toto jumps out of the balloon’s basket to chase a cat. Dorothy follows him, and the wizard, unable to control the balloon, leaves without her. She is resigned to spending the rest of her life in Oz until Glinda appears and tells her that she has always had the power to return home. Glinda explains that she did not tell Dorothy at first because she needed to find out for herself that she doesn’t need to run away to find her heart’s desire. Dorothy says a tearful goodbye to her friends and then follows Glinda’s instructions, closing her eyes, tapping her heels together three times, and chanting “There’s no place like home.”
The film reverts to sepia tone and Dorothy awakens in her bedroom in Kansas, surrounded by family and friends, suggesting she was unconscious the whole time. She tells them of her journey. Aunt Em tells Dorothy that it was all a dream, but she pleads otherwise. In any case, Dorothy promises everyone that she will never leave home ever again, for she loves them all, and there’s no place like home.
**PLOT SUMMARY END**
When I first started blogging 5 years ago it was a way for me to share my feelings thoughts, announcements about things that were going on as well lessons I was learning on the yellow brick road of life. I’ve met some interesting characters along the way, encountered my share of good witches and an even more abundant supply of wicked witches and flying monkeys. The reason I chose the name “Tales From The Yellow Brick Road” is because I feel as if I am traveling down the yellow brick road just as Dorothy did only this yellow brick road leads to more than the Emerald City.
Like Dorothy, I’m longing for home… An eternal home. It’s so easy to seek comfort in this world that’s over the rainbow. Filled with pleasures of all kinds both good and bad. It’s filled with friends for encouragement and enemies for discouragement.
Unlike Dorothy some people I’ve traveled with have already been called home but until God says otherwise, I’m still stuck here in Oz. I miss them and it’s inevitable that there will be others who go home before me. They know what I will some day experience… that there’s no place like home.
I’ve done my best over the years to share what’s on my heart and be honest with what’s going on in my life. Sometimes it’s too much and I get in trouble. Sometimes it’s not enough and I get in trouble. Somewhere is a balance between sharing my life in a VERY public (and now Semi-Permanent forum) and protecting my own privacy and the privacy of those that are a part of my life. If I could, I’d try and blog every day about things that I’ve learned, thoughts that I’ve had or frustrations and setbacks that I’ve experienced. The problem is my life is linked to others in my life who wouldn’t necessarily be thrilled if I was open and honest with the world about conversations we’ve had or problems between us.
Since the beginning of the Firestorm with my former church, and intensifying after my Mom went home to be with Jesus, I have NOT had the opportunity to be completely open and honest with my feelings, the things going on in my life or the lessons I’ve been learning. In other words this blog has been mostly useless for almost 3 years.
Therefore, I’d like to pose a few questions to you, the reader/subscriber:
- Do I shut down the blog and keep keep it online as an archive of things that once were but are no longer, thus freeing me to take up other writing projects?
- Do I go back to the original intention of the blog and lay my life out there for everyone to see? There will be consequences, embarrassment, relief and freedom on my part but for those in my life it could be uncomfortable and even upsetting because from time to time they may end up as a subject of a post or two.
- Do I go back to the original intention of the blog and lay my life out there for everyone to see, but password protect it and limit access to just friends and family whom I trust? This may still be uncomfortable for some but at least it won’t be out there for the entire world to see.
- Do I continue to heavily censor myself and end up not blogging at all because I rather be silent than be restricted to only those thoughts, feelings, topics and that are deemed appropriate and Politically Correct enough for those in my life? I’d remain guarded and secretive in my posts and everyone but me will be happy.
- What do you thing should happen with this blog?
- Do you like one of the above suggestions?
- Do you have your own suggestion?
- Do you not really care what happens one way or another?
You’re feedback on this is not only essential, but it will directly affect the decision that’s made. So what that means is you’ll need to leave a comment below. You can also email me but it any emails will be posted here. A lot of you may read this through Facebook and comment there, but I’d prefer a comment below. It saves me the trouble of transferring it over here, plus I want your thoughts to influence and bounce off the other suggestions and their descendants (if any) here.
Cliff,
I would like to see a hybrid of those options, as a suggestion of my own.
Use the blog, dont give it up. I know it is very hard for me to write sometimes, but I have found that often times if I come and read what other people have written, it sparks my own thoughts, and I have come to really appreciate that about your writing.
That being said, I would suggest that you keep on writing, and as you write certain things you want the whole world to not know, they should be password protected. Make it selective, but try to write some posts that everyone can see.
Also as you pick topics and thoughts, try not to dredge up too much of the past. I know for me personally there are many times where if I am exploring where I am at right now, I can very safely say almost everything I want to. Granted there are days where I write whole posts and then never publish them for some of those personal reasons, but as a rule I have found that just by writing it out I have managed to purge some of those frustrations and pains from my system for a while.
I would say just to write what comes to mind, and after you have finished a post, go back through it and see if you want the whole world to read it, or maybe just that select group of family and friends that have been given permissions.
As always I am more than happy to get together with you and talk in person!!
I’ve never been good at blogging. I rarely have the motivation to write much at all. But one thing that keeps from writing a blog too is the fact that it’s so public. My blog probably wouldn’t have had as much personal turmoil as yours, but it might have been slightly more controversial if I always posted what was on my heart.
I really don’t need everyone I know (and don’t know) to see that. I censor myself on FB for example. Yes… that’s censored Kenny. I also have to worry about things like employers — current and future. And like you said, the privacy of others like my family and friends. Does Luke want private things I said to be publicly available to his friends when he’s 13?
I know you’re looking for suggestions here, but I don’t know that I can offer much. I think you have to do what seems best to you. I don’t think censoring yourself is bad — as long as you can be real and open with someone (it doesn’t need to be the world). I also don’t think sharing is necessarily bad, but I think it can be. So I guess I’m #8. Not because I don’t enjoy reading your thoughts, but because ultimately I’m not invested in this blog like you are — and I think it’s ultimately your choice.
Cliff,
I feel like blogging has been a good outlet for you even if you have felt frustrated at not being able to fully express everything at times. I would keep it if you still find it therapeutic and helpful for working out your thoughts. What Kenny said above is a great point, though–I would be careful what you post because information sharing is crazy. Some employers DO check blogs, etc. My mom always said, “Never put down in writing something you wouldn’t want the whole world to know”–wise words I’ve always kept at the back of my mind and that I do let control my actions. My most private and intimate troubles and conversations are kept verbal with trusted friends. I’m not saying this is necessarily the path *you* should take, but it’s one I think wise.
As far as sharing everything, including information about other people… simply be cautious not to gossip, share private information, or things that would embarrass others. That is never good, kind, or Christ-like… even if that person wronged you. If you MUST share a story because it inextricably involves you and you HAVE to blog about it, perhaps censor the names of others in a way that keeps them perfectly anonymous. If that is not sufficient to disguise their identity, then password protect it for yourself or perhaps don’t post it.
Just some thoughts!
~*Emily*~
My Brother,
I know that journaling which is now blogging online is very therapeutic. You have always been a reader and writer and communicate very well in written and spoken language. Words have always had a great way of allowing you to outlet and think through things. I think that it’s great you have a way to think through things and work out solutions to life’s travels, as you have put it. I know too that it feels good sometimes to let people in and get feedback, ask for prayer and fellowship in those travels whether extremely joyous, difficult or even the everyday. I think you are right in seeking balance though. Not just because it will make others happy, but because it’s good for YOU!
I actually think I like Amos’ suggestion the best. Write to your heart’s content as you blog and then decide one of three things:
1) Keep this post completely to myself. This may be a choice that can allow you to find therapy in just getting your thoughts out on paper before yourself and God.
2) Share this post with close family and close friends whom you can trust.
3) Share this with the WORLD. – Remember though that the world is a very very large place and though we should trust God with all things we should not be irresponsible either. Think of it this way: I know I should trust God with my money but posting my social security number on the side of my car would be unwise.
One other thing, I think what Emily said about keeping some things on a conversation only basis may be good too. Writing isn’t the only way to let things out. Sometimes you may not want to share with even some of your family or certain friends what you are thinking or feeling about specific topics, but you need someone to use as a sounding board and to ask for prayer maybe. Those are the posts you keep private if you feel the need to get it out in writing and then share in person with a person whom you want to seek counsel or prayer from.
I know you and I know that you need an outlet, everyone does and yours just happens to be writing and sharing. Again though I think it’s wise to seek a balance between sharing your “social security number with the world” and being so closed up that no one knows who you really are and what you really think about anything.
CONGRATULATIONS! You are the 150th comment! Free Starbucks next time we hang out!
not being a blogger, I’m don’t have much to offer. Hope your life continues to move in a positive, others-centered direction, my friend.
Cliff,
I first must say that I have enjoyed reading your blog every once in a while. You have a way with words that allows your readers to see your heart even when you don’t completely express it. And it is really neat to go back through the archives and see the different areas you have grown in over the years.
That said, words are powerful things. When you really think about it, most of the time in life, we’re not completely/brutally honest with people. Though it may be hard at times, there is a reason for that: we are called to build others up rather than tear them down.
My advice to you would be this: be as honest as you can without causing discouragement to others. Write the things that will build others up. Now obviously, life is not always candy and roses, so what do you write then? As I read your entries regarding your mom, I was constantly struck by the way that you always brought the focus back to the Lord; that is what was encouraging! Even in a trial, you encouraged me with the things you said. Keep writing those things, because you never know who you may encourage.
Something that I have begun recently and have found immensely helpful is the practice of journaling. I went through many of the same questions you are asking only a few months ago, and I decided that in my case, the best option would be to write my thoughts in a place where I could regulate who read it. I may never show my journal to anyone, but it remains as a way to unload those thoughts from my head that I need to get out. And, it serves as a timeline of my growth in Christ.
I respect you a lot, and I’ll be praying for you and the decision you make
James Phillipps
P.S. We need to hang out sometime