Should I Thank Dr Seuss?

As a 24 year old graduate student hoping to attain her doctorate in the future, I would label myself as a pretty driven person. Throughout life’s dips and spills I’m one to keep my head up and continue to look to the future. I’m aware of this quality that I posses, but lately I’ve been curious as to where I acquired it from. Naturally, I give the credit to my parents first, and then I assume organized sport played a role due to my extensive history. However, a gift I was given on my 21st birthday makes me consider another contributor. On my 21st birthday my parents gave me the children’s book, “Oh The Places You’ll Go” by Dr Seuss.

Have you read this inspiring story lately? It’s incredible.

It’s a book of rhymes which instills a message that is valuable at all ages. You are in charge of your life and the direction you choose. You’ll have tough times, and things wont always go your way, but you will eventually succeed. You’ll keep pushing forward and “KID, YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS”.

What a powerful message! It’s a vital belief when conquering the ebbs and flows of life. How lucky I am to have learned it during the years I was shaping my perspective on life. Children’s books are of the upmost importance when teaching kids life skills; a fact I wasn’t aware of until a life-long friend told me this:

“Picture books are the most important books anyone ever reads–or doesn’t read: Interaction with books at the beginning of life has SUCH an impact, and it’s absurd the tiny degree to which that responsibility is taken seriously. It’s a huge responsibility! The author and illustrator become the kid’s conduit to a new way of seeing the world for five minutes, and if they’re not careful, this can have a huge (and potentially negative) impact. I think people see the tiny page count and the dearth of words and think “easy!” But it’s not, and it shouldn’t be. Picture books need to be given the weight and consideration of the true art form that they are.”

I never considered that a children’s book would resonate with me so deeply at the age of 24. It’s amazing how relevant the message is to my life now, even though it was written for a child. With quite a few books under my belt, “Oh the Places You’ll Go” is still one of the best books I’ve ever read. So thanks Dr Seuss, and of course mom and dad, for the courage, drive, and perseverance to chase my passions.

Quote of the day:
“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 guy who’ll decide where to go.”- Dr Seuss