Oz and the Tin Man: self-discovery

I heard a "golden oldie" song today that I remember well from my teen years. The lyrics are mostly nonsensical babble, but they do contain this one interesting phrase:

Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man

That he didn't, didn't already have.

("Tin Man" by America, 1974)

That phrase has stuck with me through the years; most readers from my generation will also hear the music in their minds as they read the words. You have to be careful about trying to parse it grammatically: if someone "never did give nothing," does that mean they always did give something? That would spoil the meaning. But most of us realize that the intent of the line is that the "Wizard of Oz" didn't actually give anything new to the Tin Man, who had hoped for a heart so he could feel and express emotions. In the story, the Tin Man had already shown himself to be probably the most caring and emotional of Dorothy's new friends; it just hadn't occurred to him that he was showing his heart. When the Wizard gave him a token heart (a ticking watch), it was only a recognition of something that he already had.

Doesn't that sometimes happen to us? There are qualities or traits that we desire, but think we don't have, until we are in a situation where we are forced to express that trait. We might show courage in a situation involving danger; generosity in a time of need; frugality when resources are scarce; forgiveness in the face of unkindness. Sometimes, we surprise ourselves, just like the Tin Man.

It's a good exercise to consider how we'd like to grow or improve; what qualities we wish we had. Sometimes we know what we lack; sometimes we see traits in others that we admire and wish were more strongly present in our own lives. In either case, it's interesting to ponder whether we might already be expressing aspects of that trait that might be enhanced through our efforts - seeds that just need to be nurtured.

But sometimes, we have to admit that the seed simply isn't there, so we have to start earlier in the process. We have to change our behavior, change our nature, and invite the new trait into our life. We have to truly desire the change, ponder it, learn about it; and then put ourselves in situations where we can express the quality, difficult though it may be.

I also believe that we can "seek... earnestly the best gifts" that sometimes really do come as gifts, as endowments, to those who desire them for a worthwhile purpose.

I #GiveThanks for the lesson of self-discovery represented by a Tin Man and his companions. The fable of Oz provides a worthwhile pattern to consider!