Having a 7 year old, I’ve been given the opportunity to get
reacquainted with Scooby Doo. I can remember many a Saturday
morning plopped in front of the TV in my pajamas watching Scooby
Doo and his friends. What I remember most was that at the end of
every episode, the masked villain would be revealed as an ordinary
person looking humbled and embarrassed. I remember being so
relieved to see that the scary monster didn’t really exist, and,
like in the Wizard of Oz, the great and powerful monster was really
nothing other than an ordinary person hiding behind a curtain or
mask.
When I think of what made Scooby so loveable, I think of his easy
going way, his loyalty to his friends, his not taking life too
seriously, and his love for Scooby Snacks. Even when he wasn’t
trying, Scooby and his scruffy friend, Shaggy, inevitably found a
way to save the day, proving once again, that with Velma’s brains
and Daphne and Fred’s good looks, it’s a goofy dog and his trusted
friend that win in the end. Giving us all hope that, like Scooby
and Shaggy, without great looks or brilliant minds, we, too, can
save the day. I like that.
Although I can relate more to Velma than I can to Daphne, I’d
really like to be more like Scooby: A little goofier, a little more
authentic in expressing the entire range of my emotions, a little
more adventurous, and to enthusiastically and guiltlessly enjoy
more Scooby Snacks.
I’d also like to remember that no matter how scary a person or
situation can be, behind the curtain is often a scared little man
(or woman) just trying to get their needs met by pretending to be
something they are not. And, that in pulling off the mask (or
drawing back the curtain), we’re now blessed with the chance to
really get to know that person. In the end, the Wizard turned out
to be a really nice guy from Kansas. I’m so glad that we got to
meet him aren’t you?
I challenge you this week to do one of two things: Either be a
little more Scooby-like and lighten up or have the courage to draw
back the curtain and reveal more of your authentic self to the
world. Either of the two will make the world a better place, would
you agree?
Wishing you a playful and authentic week,
