I love Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel)–I’m guessing that nearly everyone who knows me has figured out that fundamental fact. After all, Dr. Seuss writes about all those essential realities: life, loss, hardship, smiles, and (yes) tears… He writes about birthdays, fantasy, reading, standing out, and utter nonsensical witticisms. For all of his colorful characters and fabulously frenetic antics, Seuss touches something at the core of each of us–with heartfelt lessons and special meaning.
He says:
“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” – Dr. Seuss
It’s all a matter of perspective, and this quote makes me remember the bittersweet realities of love and loss, of moving on and saying “Goodbye.” It’s not something we ever want to do. And, change so often is the hardest thing to do, but we can smile (remembering). There’s a fundamental reality: when we change and grow, we move forward (even at a snail’s pace). The process of moving onward sometimes necessitates leaving some things behind… We must leave things as we go. Never forget, but also don’t stand still.
“I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living.” – Dr. Seuss
Sometimes, we think too much, and other times… we don’t think nearly enough or in the right way! After all, what did Dr. Seuss say?
“Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.” – Dr. Seuss
We should take the example of Dr. Seuss: so free and unabashed with his fantastic flights of the imagination. He was writing for children (supposedly) and playing with language, so he could include anything. But what if you didn’t worry about what people thought if you let your grandest desires be your guide? What if you weren’t afraid? What would happen if you let yourself dream and follow your wildest imagination? What wonders would you discover?
“Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it’s a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope.” – Dr. Seuss
After all, who’s to say how you look at the world is wrong? Perhaps the “wrong end” is really “right”… “Down” could be “up”… When you start to see the world from different perspectives, you may see whole realms of new possibilities open up before you.
“So be sure when you step,
Step with care and great tact.
And remember that life’s
A Great Balancing Act.
And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed)
Kid, you’ll move mountains.”
– Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go!
We’re all walking on that high-up tightrope of life. It’s scary. It sometimes seems impossible and dangerous. Dr. Seuss’s quotes remind us that we’re capable of much more than we usually believe. Whatever we want to call it: hope, faith, or no fear. If we move forward with (even a tiny bit of) faith or hope, we could accomplish “impossible” feats…
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!
I also love that education and reading were so vital to the success that Dr. Seuss always talks about. As a successful writer, he knows better than most how important education is. He knew many grand and wonderful experiences could be opened via imagination and reading.
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…” ― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
We must take the smarts and capacity we’ve been given in this world and then take ourselves where we want to be. I know (from personal experience) how many hardships one can experience in this life. It often seems unbearable–particularly amid the most terrible (and terrifying) moments of your life.
Somehow, someway… (I don’t honestly know how)… the days go by. One day melds into another. We survive. We live. We breathe and can continue to move in the direction of our dearest hope. That doesn’t mean we won’t experience those 10 steps back before we can get to the one-step-forward. But, as we sit here (in tears?), you may feel like there is no hope. (I’ve heard others say it and thought it myself).
There’s always hope… And I know: there’s always some way to make a difference in this world.
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
Nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
― Dr. Seuss, The Lorax
We have to care and hold on to that hope (or vision, or whatever we want to call it). So much lies ahead… And Dr. Seuss says it best:
“You’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So… get on your way!”
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
By now, I hope it’s pretty obvious why I love the works of the infamous Theodor Seuss Geisel–better known as Dr. Seuss–(and I hope you love them too). Please continue to peruse these fabulously memorable lines. Take them to heart. Share them.
I hope these words bring you a little taste of hope and meaning…
