I’m sure that like me, most people have seen the iconic film, “The Wizard Of Oz”
It has been an enduring favourite of mine since I saw it as a young
child. I have a DVD copy and watch it, especially with the family when
one of us is under the weather, as it is a real emotional tonic.
I have to admit to naming my youngest daughter after Dorothy, although
the family on both sides is liberally splattered with Dorothys – many
believe this was my motivation, but I have never attempted to correct
them, being a sucker for a quiet life.
I adore the line towards the end uttered by Dorothy who is desperately
trying to get home to Kansas. Although not a verbatim quote, she says:
“If I look again further than my own back yard for my hearts’ desire, I
probably never lost it in the first place.” Lots of truth in that
statement.
However, we humans are easily disillusioned and look around for a
better deal I feel. The world of Miss Gayle belongs to a past era. We
globe trot and think the next big excitement fix is just a short plane
journey away. Whether you agree or not, there is an ever increasing
number of Britons seeking new locations throughout the world to settle.
They are most certainly looking further than their own back yards, for
something.
I recently read a piece on the Daily Telegraph, entitled “Dream Locations”and was delighted to discover that my home here in South West France has appeared as Number One of the Top Ten Dream Locations.
According to the Frank Knight Estate Agency who drew up the list “It has a diverse and established property market,
good range of international schools, easily reached by train, car or
plane. Rates highly for a relaxed lifestyle.”
It set me thinking, as I have never , ever lived in somewhere that
could be described as a prime location or a desirable area. However, I
wonder do we ever fully appreciate our home area? Greener Grass
Syndrome is something we are all guilty of from time to time.
Holidays are part of everyday life and we are able to travel further and further for ever reducing amounts of money it seems.
When we return, many of us experience the euphoric rush of seeing our
homes anew when we return from out unfamiliar temporary lodgings.
I know that the initial few hours back home for me seem to bring all
the positives into sharp focus that I so often overlook on a daily
basis.
Sadly that new vision very quickly seems to fade and everything takes on a humdrum appearance once again, which is sad.
If the statistics in the article are to be given credence, there is a
startlingly large number of Britons who want to move abroad, as I have
done.
Does this mean we all, unlike Dorothy Gayle are running away in the
hope of finding our Emerald City? I hope not, and hope that it is the
prospect of experiencing a new lifestyle that draws us to new places
and peoples.
A word of caution though: It is all too easy to slide back, and treat
the new location like the old one. All too soon, it could become a
place you want to move away from, like the last one, in the vain hope
of something brighter and better, further down the Yellow Brick Road.
Take a leaf out of Dorothy’s book: Look no further than where you are
to make you happy, and if you do move abroad, as I did, make sure you
enjoy every aspect of your new home, and when it rains and things are
not going so well, take it all in the round and know you have done the
right thing.