THE WIZARD OF OZ as metaphor for our own hero’s journey … the epic adventure of coming
home to our true selves. Reflection Questions:
What “winds of change” cyclones have been the “call-to-adventure” on your hero’s journey?
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“If I only had a brain…” What is the thing that you wish you had, that would make your journey
easier? “If only I had ______________________________________________________________”
“If I only had a heart…” Your heart is that part of you that knows what to do, what you stand for,
what you dream of doing. When you stop to listen and give thanks for the beat of your own
heart, what message does your heart have for you? ______________________________________
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“If only I had courage…” Courage is about stepping into your bigger story, your grander self.
Are you afraid of making the wrong decision? Afraid of standing out or being noticed? Afraid of
losing relationships, support, friendships? What is limiting you from stepping into a larger, more
expansive version of your life? ________________________________________________________
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What would you do, if you knew you could not fail? ______________________________________
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“Nobody is ever ready until they start.” What would it take for you to START taking action on your
journey today? ______________________________________________________________________
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The Wicked Witch casts a spell so that the lush fields of poppies put Dorothy and her friends to
sleep. Have you ever been nearly to a goal, then “fallen asleep” before you accomplish it, so it
never quite got done? Have you started projects that you didn’t finish, embarked on paths that
you didn’t follow through with, made huge progress but then backed off at the last minute?
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Glinda the good witch sprinkles them with snowflakes and they awaken to continue their journey
to the Emerald City. Do you have supportive friends that can help you stay on course? What
can you do to you connect with others who will hold you accountable to your best self and your
best life? ___________________________________________________________________________
Upon arrival in the Emerald City, Dorothy and her friends discover that everyone is laughing and
singing, “ho ho ho, ha ha ha, and a couple of tra-la-las, that’s how we laugh the day away in the
Merry Old Land of Oz…” By laughing and singing, they are thriving. What can you do to ensure
that you laugh and sing and dance and play more during your days? ______________________
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The tired travelers are taken to the Emerald City Wash and Brush Up Shop, where they are
washed, brushed, cleaned, and fluffed. In what way do you need a bit of a tune-up? What can
you do to expand your self-care this week? Movement, exercise, healthy food, bodywork, time in
nature, time with animals… what will nourish your soul? _____________________________________
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In the Haunted Forest, the group ends up in the terrifying witch’s castle, where the witch lights the
scarecrow on fire. Without thinking, Dorothy pours a bucket of water onto the fire. This “water of
life” also douses the witch, who melts.
Our passion and purpose is often found in our “fire”. The things you complain about most, the
things that irritate you, the things you find yourself lamenting and wishing they were different –
those are the clues that there’s something for you to do there. You ARE the water of life. You ARE
the solution to the problem that you find so frustrating. You ARE the answer you’ve been seeking.
What is it that gets you fired up? What situation in the world, in your community, in humanity,
makes you so angry that you want to do something about it? What is it that you find yourself
feeling overwhelmingly in despair over, because this problem exists in our world?
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If you had a magic wand and could solve any SPECIFIC problem in our world today, what would
you resolve? _________________________________________________________________________
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YOUR YELLOW BRICK ROAD
On the back side of this paper, draw a dot on one side of the page that represents your birth, the
beginning of your life’s journey. Draw a dot on the other side of the page to represent where
you are right now.
Draw a “Yellow Brick Road” between the dots, adding dips and curves, bumps and swerves, as
you feel they are appropriate.
Think back on all of the challenging bumps you’ve had in your life – events or circumstances in
which you felt particularly sad or angry about what happened to you. Place a dot on the road
to represent each of those times. Above each dot write briefly the situation. Then think back to
how a person from that incident helped you to grow into the person you are today, by prodding
you to go places you didn’t necessarily want to go at the time. Write the names of these allies on
your path above each dot.
Now, imagine that you are like Glinda, the good witch, looking down upon Dorothy, and you
can see the broader perspective of your journey. From this bigger vantage point, can you see
reasons why the “bumps” might have been placed in your path? What wisdom did you gain
from the experience? Are you a kinder, more compassionate person because of that bump?
Did you learn to set more effective boundaries for yourself? Did you learn to trust yourself? Did
the experience force you to turn inward for answers? Write down the “gifts” you gained from
each bump, below each dot.
Is there a theme or pattern to the dots?
What is your superhero power that has emerged or is emerging as a result of your journey thus
far?
If you could choose a soundtrack for the “movie” version of your epic adventure, what kind of
music would you choose? Browse through some music this week to find a tune that can be your
Heroic Soundtrack for your life. ☺