Thanks for the reply! : )

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I think that you nailed both of the morals that I saw, very eloquently…

The man behind the curtain:

"Perception is not always reality. People are not always what we envision or make them to be in our own minds".

And as Dorothy chanted, "there is no place like home":

"There is no place like home. Home is where your heart is. You will always have it, and it follows you wherever you go".

That never became more apparent to me, prior to living 2000 miles away from home.

Mark

Here's some of what I've learned:

We often focus on the destination, yet the journey is where life is captured. Life is not measured by a starting or ending point, but what we have done, believed, experienced, how we felt, acted & stood for along the way.

Perception is not always reality.  People are not always what we envision or make them to be in our own minds. Many times failing to live up to our expectations, in other times, exceeding them.

People often hide behind curtains. We see only what they choose to reveal, unless exposed by accident. I do my best to try to embrace people for what they are, regardless of whether it is what I'd have them be.

Real power can not be given to you by another. It comes from within & is usually not realized until the end of the journey, or at least after a significant journey.

Keep one foot in front of the other, moving in a forward direction. Without retreating, until you reach a safe place.

If you have good friends you can survive anything by sticking together. A true friend will never let go of your dreams, even if you are willing to.

You carry home with you, whereever you go, as it truly is within your heart & head. We often go searching for things that we imagine are missing from our life, only to find out, we just lost sight of what is really important & that those things, noone can ever truly take away.

Believe in yourself no matter what. There is no magic man/woman, pill, or award that can give you what God didn't already gave you in birth-YOURSELF & all the beauty that lies within that is yet to be unborn.

One should keep a song in their heart & a spring in their step to help them stay on the path. It is not only a good way to stay positive, it helps you avoid distraction from goal.

Sometimes pretty things are actually very bad for you, as in the example of the beautiful poppy fields. If it only contains beauty, you will surely soon fall asleep. If one has ever seen the play Wicked, you might also realize that sometimes the most unique ones have the most to offer if given the chance to shine.

Never rejoice in an enemies demise, there may just be a worse one in your path, with a bigger nose & longer broom.

It is ok to be afraid, no matter who you are, even if you are a proud, brave lion. One should be more concerned when they are unable to feel, than what they feel.

Dreams can be fun & exciting, and also take us to dangerous places we never imagined. Remember, no matter what…..good or bad, it will pass, appreciate both, as it is in these experiences personal growth occurs & as such, is it really bad?

There are good witches and bad witches. Some people will be there to help you reach your goals, while others will not only stand in your way, but attempt to make them impossible to attain.

There is no place like home. Home is where your heart is. You will always have it, and it follows you whereever you go. It does not matter how far the journey, as John says 'you take it with you when you go'.

Monkeys really can fly!!!!!!!!!!!!

When in doubt, throw a bucket of water on your problems & watch them disapper….believe in the impossible & always expect a miracle. Sometimes the answer/solution is easier than we'd ever imagine.

A girl must have a pair of killer shoes, that are comfortable, sharp, magical & the talk of the town! 

So, what did you see?