When The Wiz Preaches
This past week, I wore my ruby red glittering sneakers. They would take me on my journey to see The Wiz on Broadway. My choice was intentional. Just like Dorothy’s shoes. My sneakers represented inner strength, the journey to self discovery, and the importance of home and identity.
Believe in Yourself
“Believe in yourself when there's nobody else, You know how to survive
Take your hand, take your heart, don't lose your faith And when you feel alone in the dark
Believe in yourself”
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” - Psalm 139:14
“You are your best thing.” Toni Morrison
Glinda, the Good Witch, sings this to Dorothy when she is seeking guidance on how to return home. I love it because she reminds Dorothy of the strength and faith that is already inside of her. It also reminds me that I must be the first to believe in myself, if I expect others to do the same. It reminds me of the importance of encouraging ourselves. Believe in myself.
Don’t Bring Me No Bad News
“If you're gonna bring me something, Bring me, something I can use, But don't you bring me no bad news”
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” - Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)
“If you are silent about your pain, they’ll kill you and say you enjoyed it.” - Zora Neale Hurston
Evilene may not have always had the right motives, but this message was on point. It’s important to guard our hearts, minds and spirits. It’s important to be around people who speak life and light. This doesn’t mean a blissful ignorance, but being intentional about regularly speaking and being the bearer of good news. Zora’s quote reminds us about the importance of speaking life and not allowing negativity or another false narrative (bad news) to take root.
What kind of news am I bringing into the world?
Home
“When I think of home I think of a place Where there's love overflowing”
“Returning home to ourselves is an art. It’s a process that requires us to recall the parts of ourselves that we buried, rediscovering the value we hold outside of the things that caused us to stray”
There’s power in being home - the place where you can be your authentic self. The place that safely protects you yet encourages you to continue to grow outside of your comfort zone. It speaks to the grace and compassion that awaits us when we seek to return to our true selves, much like Dorothy’s yearning to return home in the song.
How can you create or find a 'home' within yourself that nurtures your growth and allows you to thrive?"
Ease on Down the Road
Don't you carry nothing that might be a load, Come on, ease on down, ease on down, down the road
“It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.” - Lena Horne
Our life journey is a continual experience. I’ve learned that my journey means regular luggage checks, and knowing what I have to release and what I need to keep. It’s knowing when something is too heavy to move, yet too empty to unpack. I remember watching a video where the flight attendants were instructing passengers to leave the plane immediately. But the hold up was that some passengers were too busy trying to retrieve all of their luggage and holding up the process for everyone else. It literally made me sick to my stomach. The person recording was at the back of the plane, almost as incredulous as I was. Despite screams of we have to evacuate the plane, the hold up was with those who were focused on getting what they needed and holding up the journey.
What load am I holding onto that stops me from continuing my life journey?
Everybody Rejoice/New Day
Freedom, you see - Has got our hearts singing so joyfully,
Just look about You owe it to yourself to check it out
Can't you feel a brand new day?
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” Isaiah 43:19
Each is a new beginning and an opportunity to start again. Freedom comes from gratitude and embracing new opportunities along the way. My new friend told me that serendipity and miracles are a part of life, if we pay attention. Welcome each new day with gratitude, recognizing it as a chance to realign with your purpose and passion
I began my journey with my ruby red glittering sneakers
To look for the gift of wisdom and ardently seek her
I eased on down the road along with Dorothy
And discovered the wisdom right in front of me
Through the music, poetry, dance and song
I heard the sermon from the Wiz that was waiting all along