Oh, the Places You’ll Go! (Dr. Seuss)

Oh, the Places You’ll Go (published in 1990) was Dr. Seuss’s last book. Over the years, it’s become a somewhat predictable but still fun graduation gift and, since this is graduation season, what better time to write about this entertaining piece of inspiration?

I have owned three copies of this book. The first I bought at a particularly un-fun time in my life when I was working hard (and not very successfully) on “un-slumping” myself. Did the good doctor’s wisdom help? Well, it certainly did put things into perspective, reminding me—no, change that—teaching me for the first time that you can reach new and undreamed-of highs after you’ve hit the lowest of lows. No one had ever told me that before.

The second copy was given to me a few years later when I left an old, worn-out job. Was I on my way to bigger and better things with my “head full of brains” and my “shoes full of feet”? You bet! Before I knew it I was full of dreams and energy and hope. I wasn’t famous, but I certainly was “ready for anything under the sky.” Until the next lurch, slump, bump. Ah, but that’s just life, as I was now learning.

These two copies are lost now. My third copy of Oh, the Places You’ll Go! is included in the book Your Favorite Seuss. I pull it out and read it once in a while, when life looks bright—or dark; when I am hopeful—or not; when I am moving ahead, certain of my direction—or stalled in place, waiting for things to change. The reading always brings a smile to my face.

So what have I learned from this wise philosopher? Simply this: You never know what is coming next. It might be good, or it might be bad. It might carry your master plan forward, or it might send you in a new direction or derail you entirely. What’s to be done? Just keep going, keep trying. This is how mountains are moved. This isn’t a profound philosophy with a great mystery at its center, but it does work.

And the last part of my message today?

Your mountain is waiting.
So … get on your way!