Dr. Seuss and Spring Break
March 2nd is Dr. Seuss’ Birthday. Remember, I have young children, so I am immersed in Dr. Seuss week. I am taking cupcakes with marshmallow “Cat in the Hat” hats on Thursday.
Dr. Seuss always reminds me of complexity disguised as simplicity. When youngsters read Dr. Seuss, they are mesmerized by the rhyming words, “Hop on Pop” or “I do not like green eggs and ham, I do not like them Sam, I am.” University scholars write article about anapestic tetrameter and the complex meters that underlie the “simple” verse. Dr. Seuss has a way of writing a quick little line that has a lot to unpack.
When you read, “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose,” the first reaction is to agree. But when you think about it, there are deep philosophical and theological implications. Do you believe in predetermination or do you believe that humans have complete autonomy?
When you read, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go,” do you believe that knowledge is the only factor in success? In this era of understanding systemic racism and the implications of generational poverty, we know that reading will only get you so far.
When you read, “So, open your mouth, lad! For every voice counts!”, do the voices from the experts (see the reading reference in the last quote) count equally with those who get their data only from social media?
When I read, “A person’s a person, no matter how small,” I can’t find anything to argue with.
So for my article this week, I would like to leave you with a few precious words of Dr. Seuss wisdom to think on.
- “Why fit in when you were born to stand out?”
- “Think and wonder, wonder and think.”
- “If things start happening, don’t worry, don’t stew, just go right along and you’ll start happening too.”
- “With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet, you’re too smart to go down any not-so-good street.”
- “Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment, until it becomes a memory.”
- “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
The semester is amping up towards Spring Break…but let’s face it, it isn’t a break for many…rather a week before the final push towards the end of the semester and commencement. Everyone is either writing a paper or grading a paper. As Dr. Seuss says, “Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.” Please remember to take time for yourself. Get enough rest and play a bit. The complex becomes more manageable with self-care and perspective.
Have a safe Spring Break Week! And one more Seussism, “Step with care and great tact, and remember that life’s a great balancing act.”
Blessings, Stephanie