Lions, tigers, and bears. Oh my!
Just a minute....I need a smile here.
Ok, raise your hand if you’ve ever watched or heard of The Wizard of Oz movie. Did you watch the original 1939 version, or a modern remake? I watched the original. I have to say, it wasn’t too bad considering the special affects weren’t computer generated as they are in movies today. Imagine having to do all those scenes for real, without the use of a computer to create a scene or an incident. Like having a whole house fall on the ‘wicked’ witch of the west. Ok, so if you saw the movie, what’s your favorite line that’s stuck with you?
Is it the cowardly lion talking about courage? Or is it the witch, yelling at Dorothy, “I’ll get you my pretty, and your little dog too!” Hey wait just a minute!
What did Dorothy’s little dog ever do to deserve vengeance from the witch? Was the old hag mad at him for being so cute? Or was it because Dorothy loved him so much….hmm….
Just because Dorothy wouldn’t give the old hag her ruby slippers, that doesn’t mean her poor little pooch should get threatened as well. Right?
Save the pooch! Ok, I’ll admit it. I have a soft spot for the poor little puppy dog. But I also have a soft spot for the cowardly lion too! Courage is a thing we all need, and usually have, but forget to apply it when it’s most helpful. Just like the lion. Can anyone else relate? I’ll give you an example from my own life.
I was at a picnic once where there was a rope climbing course. This thing went straight up, with only rope nets to climb to the top with. It wasn’t super high, around twenty-five feet I think. I wanted to do it because it looked easy and simple. From the ground. After I’d climbed about fifteen feet, for some reason my arms and legs were getting tired faster than I’d expected. It seems net climbing uses more muscle control than a simple ladder. Who knew! I wouldn’t just quit and come down. I needed to accomplish what I’d started, but I was afraid my arms and legs would give way from the strain. I decided to courage on and push myself. I actually finished! When I got back to the ground, I kicked myself for having done it, as I couldn’t hardly feel my legs anymore they were so tired and shaky! For me, it would’ve been better to have the courage to say no to doing it in the first place. Lesson learned. Sometimes, it takes as much if not more courage to decline something than to agree to it. And I smile, knowing I’m much smarter and have more courage now for those kind of things. Smile and courage on!
