I’ve been rewatching the Lord of the Rings and that cringey scene in the third movie where Denethor is freaking out and screaming at his people to flee and fear… something struck me.
The wizard interrupted Denethor’s rant and told all the people not to listen to him. And because of the power structure there, everyone listened to the wizard. It really struck me how much everyone needs a wizard.
Everyone needs someone who will aggressively QTP them when they start to get worked up in fear. Sometimes with a stick like Gandalf, sure, but most of the time, we just need someone to remind us to keep our eyes on the bigger picture.
The issue is, we don’t always see the fear as fear. We see the distraction or the vice or the “pivot” or the “new shiny”. Or we see it as reasonable danger. Or just avoidance.
We all need a wizard who will say, “are you sure you need that cover” or “do you really need that conference or class” (including mine, so don’t think I don’t want people QTP’ing me too). “Should you be this worried about a bad release or bad series?” “Should you fear other people having something you want?”
Sometimes, the wizard is compassionate, like with Theoden in his possession, or with Aragorn as he worries he won’t be a good king, or worries for his friends as they trek a dangerous road.
And sometimes he upsets apple carts and knocks an idiot in the head with a staff. The goal is simply perspective. And finding your wizard(s). I know who mine are. I’m on a plane with one of them right now.
Who can speak sense to you? Who can have compassion for you where you are and give you perspective? Who reminds you that you have what it takes for this next phase? And that all will be well, even when it appears not to be?
I hope you have a wizard, my friend. Life is too short and too fraught to face alone.
– Becca
