The Wizard of Oz and the Soul's Awakening
Why chasing validation never works, and how the soul leads us home.
The Lie of External Authority
At first glance, The Wizard of Oz appears to be a simple children’s story. But look closer, and you’ll see it’s about the illusion that makes us believe we are not enough.
The illusion convinces us we’re incomplete. It suggests we have to earn our worth by competing, climbing hierarchies, and proving ourselves to external authority. Dorothy and her friends fall for the same lie: The Scarecrow doubts his intelligence. The Tin Man believes he can't feel, and the Lion is sure he's a coward. So what do they do? They set off to find the Wizard, hoping he would grant them what they lacked.
Sound familiar? We often measure ourselves against others, chase job titles, possessions, and approval, believing these will prove our worth. But that’s the trap: consumer culture keeps us comparing, competing, buying into the illusion that the next achievement, or validation, will finally make us whole.
The Man Behind the Curtain
Then comes the reveal: Toto pulls back that curtain to expose the great and powerful Oz as just a frightened man. The spectacle was smoke and mirrors.
It’s the same in real life. That intimidating CEO, the influencer with the perfect life, the “flawless” parent - behind the scenes, they're just people, often struggling with the same doubts and insecurities. The people we put on pedestals are just as human and uncertain as the rest of us.
Society’s biggest lie is that worthiness is a competition and must be granted by someone “better” than us. That’s never been true.
The Real Magic Trick
Here's the twist: Dorothy’s friends already possess the qualities they sought. The Scarecrow made the plans. The Tin Man showed deep compassion, and the Lion repeatedly acted bravely. They didn’t need the Wizard - they just needed to recognize their own strengths.
Dorothy always had the power to return home. Her ruby slippers could take her there any time; she just had to realize it. The same is true for us; no one else decides our worth. It’s inherent and always within.
Come Home to Yourself
Dorothy’s journey reminds us that external approval never brings lasting fulfillment. The world thrives on the illusion of “not enough”, urging us to chase the next promotion, possession, or status symbol. But what if you already are enough? What if, instead of climbing the endless ladder, you simply stepped off?
That’s when life changes. Success becomes about finding meaning and aligning with your values, rather than impressing others. Your worth was never for sale.
The Plot Twist We All Need
The real plot twist isn’t that the Wizard is an illusion; it’s that you were never broken. You don’t need more credentials to be smart, permission to be creative, or perfect confidence to be brave. The shift is simple; act as the person you truly are, not who you’re told to become. The Wizard—the voice that says you’re not enough—is just another illusion. You’ve had the ruby slippers all along.
How to Step Out of the Illusion
Moving beyond the illusion takes awareness and practice. Here are five steps to unplug.
Notice who you’re giving authority to. When you feel “not enough,” ask: Who am I letting judge me right now? Identifying the “Wizard” behind the curtain weakens its power.
Do the thing anyway. Courage grows through action, not before it.
Catch yourself in the hierarchy game. Notice when you shrink or puff up. Both are signs of the same illusion - hierarchy isn’t real.
Redefine success on your terms. Step off the hamster wheel. Ask yourself what truly feels meaningful.
Go home to yourself. “Home” is not a place; it’s a relationship with yourself and the realization that you are already enough.
Final Thoughts
The Wizard was never the answer. The curtain was never the truth. And you were never broken. You had the power all along.
What curtain have you pulled back in your own life? What illusion have you seen through? Your story might be the reminder someone else needs today.