Eventually you have to decide what to do with this desire…
““Eventually you have to decide what to do with this desire. Do you tamp it down in yourself, or do you chase after it? Should you quit your job to pursue your dream, or hang on to that steady paycheck? Stay in an okay relationship or find a better match? Do you plunge into a Technicolor riot of what might be, harsh and delirious and confusing? Or do you accept the humble beauty of ordinary life, where nothing ever changes, and everything is simple? Which will it be—Kansas or Oz? Life as it is or life as it could be? Soon enough, life will offer you an answer. But for the moment, you are like Dorothy, sitting up in her bed, trying to decide which pair of slippers she wants to wear today. Black or ruby? Black or ruby? Until she decides, she’ll be caught in a maddening state of tension, trying to live in two worlds at once—padding around the farmhouse as it spins inside the twister, with rubies shining in her bloodstream, her auburn hair slowly turning gray. Spare a thought for poor Dorothy, the orphan girl of Kansas, who dreams in color but lives in black and white.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A metaphorical dilemma between choosing a vibrant, risky dream (Oz) and a safe, ordinary life (Kansas), reflecting indecision and tension.
In simple terms: Choose between daring dreams and safe routine.
Key Takeaway
Reflect before committing to a path.
Themes
choice
dreams
routine
indecision
tension
fantasy vs. reality
Mood
contemplative
melancholic
Type
Black and white:1
Brilliant:0
Decide:1
Favorites:0
Life:1
Ordinary life:1
Pursue Dream:1
Like Dorothy:1
Eventually Decide:1
Decide Desire:1
When to use this quote
- novel excerpt
- philosophical essay
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
career decisions
relationship choices
personal aspirations
Questions to Reflect On
- What does your 'Oz' look like?
- How can you balance safety and adventure?