20/31 Things I've Learned from the Wicked Witch

Kids always laugh when they walk into my room. People always know what to get me for gifts.  I am a Wicked Witch fan.  I have cute little signs and coffee mugs with silly little sayings. I even have a flying monkey. One student said to me this year, "So, you like witches or something?"

Not really.

I like one witch.

I have always wanted to play the Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz (I'd love to be Elphana in Wicked, but I can't sing a lick).

But just because I can't be her, doesn't mean I haven't learned from her.

1. Speak up and tell people what you want and need. You won't always get it right away, but your voice needs to be heard! I know. The Wicked Witch was eventually melted, but it doesn't mean she wasn't right to speak up. The ruby slippers belonged to her sister, by rights they were hers!

2. Surround yourself with people who support you. Sometimes, it feels like you have no one in your corner.  It's nice to have friends who have your back! And don't forget to share your appreciation with them...

3. Get to know people before you judge them, and don't base your judgements on what others say.  If Dorothy, Glinda and the others had just taken time to get to know Elphaba, maybe they wouldn't have jumped to so many conclusions. In The Wizard of Oz they didn't even know her name! They took one look at that green skin and decided she was evil. Glinda's line about only bad witches being ugly didn't help matters. Everyone just took her word as gospel. Think for yourself!




4. Understand that everyone has a back story and that story matters. And that story affects who they are. Remember this with family, friends, students, people you just met.

5. Believe in yourself. Live for yourself. Don't listen to the gossip and those who talk behind your back.
Don't let the haters bring you down. Move forward in your life.

Defy Gravity.