Today is Dr. Seuss' birthday! I wanted to celebrate the good doctor in some way so I figured I would share some lessons from my favorite Dr. Seuss book.
Oh the Places You'll Go! is one of the most inspirational books I've ever read. Every time I read it, I want to go out and accomplish everything I've ever thought about accomplishing. When I was reading over quotes I wanted to use for this blog post, I actually teared up (shocker) because truthfully even at 30ish, the lessons of that book hit me in exactly the right spot.
"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..."
I have five major goals in life.
1. To finish my Bachelor's and then get a Master's degree
2. To lose at least 50lbs.
3. To become a published writer
4. To keep the princess out of the champagne room.
5. To fall in love
I think about these goals pretty much every single day. I think about them as time keeps moving on and they seem further and further away. I think about them as I keep on aging but I know that I'm the only one who can make them happen.
"You'll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You'll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life's a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left."
I've had so many setbacks. In fact I often make the joke that I don't know how to function in life unless I'm surviving something. I don't believe in whining (much). Stuff happens and life isn't fair. I won't ever make my own dreams come true if I spend my life resenting all of the crappy things that have happened to me or being envious of those who seem to have it easier in life than I do.
"Onward up many a frightening creek, though your arms may get sore and your sneakers may leak. Oh! The places you'll go!"
I'm afraid to show my writing to anyone.
School is incredibly expensive.
The princess is the product of a broken home.
Fatty fatty two by four can't fit through the bathroom door.
Love is for chumps. Who needs that kind of hurt?
Those are the bad thoughts in my head. The ones I have to drown out constantly to keep myself hopeful. It's not easy to not let the negative thoughts take me over. Can you imagine what a miserable person I would be if I did? The lonely life I would lead makes me shudder at the prospect.
"Oh the places you'll go! There is fun to be done! There are points to be scored. There are games to be won. And the magical things you can do with that ball will make you the winning-est winner of all."
I just found out yesterday that I've been accepted to a (much cheaper) school and have enough money via grant and scholarship to start in May! Yay!
The princess has mastered subtraction! She's on the kickball team! She wants to be an anesthesiologist when she grows up! Yay!
I wrote a book! It's finished and needs just a little more editing before I (gulp) ask one of my amazing writer friends to critique it! Yay!
I lost 4 pounds in the last two weeks! Yay!
The love thing...hmm. I lost 4lbs! Yay!
"You're off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So... get on your way!"
Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss.
