Last spring, while exploring the biopic film *Michael*, which chronicles the extraordinary life and musical journey of Michael Jackson, I found myself quietly looking back on his artistry and the passage of time.
Tracing the footsteps of his career, I belatedly came across *The Wiz*, a 1978 musical film in which Michael Jackson starred in his early twenties. It was an imaginative urban reimagining of *The Wizard of Oz*, brought to life by an all-Black cast.
Following that spark of curiosity, I naturally found myself revisiting the original tale of *The Wizard of Oz*.
What began as an inquiry into Michael Jackson’s creative milestones unexpectedly turned into a pause—prompted by the enduring questions that *The Wizard of Oz* gently poses to each of us.
Dorothy Who Could Not Return Home Despite Wearing Magic Shoes
From the very moment she took her first step along the Yellow Brick Road, Dorothy had the power to return home right on her feet.
She did not lack the ability to return. Yet she could not go home immediately. Only after walking through an unfamiliar, perilous journey to its very end did she finally find her way back.
It was not because she lacked the strength; it was because she had not yet realized that the power imbued in those slippers was already entirely hers.
The companions she met along the road were no different.
The Scarecrow, who believed he lacked a brain, consistently devised brilliant ideas that rescued his friends from danger throughout their journey.
The Tin Woodman, convinced he had no heart, was already so gentle and tender that he wept in sorrow after inadvertently stepping on a tiny beetle.
The Cowardly Lion, perpetually trembling with fear, was always the first to leap in front of danger to shield his comrades.
What they desperately sought from the Wizard of Emerald City was not some brand-new virtue bestowed from the outside. Each of them already possessed those qualities deep within themselves.
The Time It Takes to Recognize What Is Already Yours
I often find that the way we live and work bears a striking resemblance to this journey.
When facing unfamiliar environments or daunting challenges, we frequently fixate first on our perceived shortcomings. We grow anxious, asking ourselves, *”Am I simply not skilled enough?”* or *”Should I search outside for proven model answers or better tools?”* and instinctively turn our gaze outward.
Yet looking back, in so many moments, we were not wandering because an answer did not exist.
“More often, the answer was already within us, but we had not yet learned to trust ourselves fully—or while we were capable, our hearts were not yet ready to embrace the weight of that truth.”
This is why the saying *”It takes time and lived experience to truly recognize what is yours”* resonates far more deeply than the simple platitude *”The answer lies within you.”*
Where Am I Looking Right Now?
Reflecting on these stories, a quiet question naturally surfaces:
“In my rush to fill voids from the outside, am I failing to see the potential that already resides within me?”
When navigating daily collaboration, navigating complex organizational decisions, and facing uncertainty with our colleagues, perhaps what we need most is not a flawless external silver bullet. Rather, it is the calm willingness to look deeply at the collective experience, resilience, and sincerity that we have already built within.
Amid the rush of daily life, this is one question I intend to keep close to my heart.