The Riches of Content

Every night before bedtime I read a book to Jayla.  I’ve read  her my favorites as a child, we read the books that have been made into movies, and sometimes we start a series.  One of my favorite series, that I didn’t read until adulthood, is The Marvelous Land of Oz.  Whenever I read and come across a passage, a phrase, or a few lines that resonant with me I make a copy of it.

All of the perceived ‘things are going wrong’ had to be abandoned so I opened my folder and scrolled until I got to a passage that helped change my outward thinking.

This is one of my favorite chapters in the 2nd series of the Marvelous Land of Oz , Riches of Content:

“I think,” said the little Queen, smiling, “that your friend must be the richest man in all the world.”
“I am,” returned the Scarecrow, “but not on account of my money. For I consider brains far superior to money, in every way. You may have noticed that if one has money without brains, he cannot use it to advantage; but if one has brains without money, they will enable him to live comfortably to the end of his days.”
“At the same time,” declared the Tin Woodman, “you must acknowledge that a good heart is a thing that brains can not create, and that money can not buy. Perhaps, after all, it is I who am the richest man in all the world.”
“You are both rich, my friends,” said Ozma, gently; “and your riches are the only riches worth having — the riches of content!”

I’m still learning to let go of control.  Everything will not be seemingly perfect and I need to focus on the good.

Here’s how I’m doing it now:

Lost luggage

I have the means to repurchase clothing.

I was already thinking about how to downsize the amount of things we had and I was the one rolling two bags and carrying a backpack.

Jayla only has to be concerned with her backpack.

Eventually, she’ll get her things back.

Poor Wifi = Canceled Classes and Poor Location = Staying In

I have been able to focus on other ventures/opportunities.

I’ve been able to catch up on my reading.

I have to train myself to look for the beauty in every ugly situation.  The greatest part is using my daughter as a guide.  After we completed some shopping at the nearby Carrerfour, we stopped for ice cream.  I wanted to sit outside and eat and as we were sitting on the bench she said, “We are in Barcelona and we’re eating ice cream!”

That simple statement made me realize I had nothing to worry about.  I am doing what I never expected.

Reference

Baum, L. F. (2008). The marvelous land of Oz: Oz #2. North Hollywood, CA: Ægypan Press