Someone this past week asked me who my favorite author was, and without even thinking, Dr. Seuss way my automatic response. Growing up with my mom as a kindergarten teacher, now school psychologist, Dr. Seuss has always been in the house, and was often my first choice for bedtime stories. It seemed silly at first; stories like "Green Eggs And Ham", "The Cat In The Hat", and "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" aren’t typically considered fine literature, but to me, these stories teach the best lessons in life. Here are 13 Dr. Seuss quotes we should all live by:
1. “Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you.
This in one of my all-time favorites! We live in a world where social media is at our fingertips, and with that, we often find ourselves comparing our lives to the ones on the internet. At the end of the day, it is good to have a reminder that you are a special individual and you are the only you! No one else is exactly like you, isn't that beautiful?
2. “You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And you are the one who’ll decide where to go…”
3. “Will you succeed? Yes, you will indeed! Ninety-eight and three-quarters percent guaranteed. “
No matter where you go in life, keep the attitude that you will be successful. Most of the time, the plan we have for ourselves doesn't go the way we want it to, but that doesn't mean we should give up. Keep a good attitude and that will take you far!
4. “A person’s a person, no matter how small. “
This always reminds me of the golden rule we all learned in kindergarten: "treat others the way you want to be treated." Treat everyone with respect and kindness and you'll be surprised what the world gives back to you.
5. “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not. “
For the world to change, it takes someone caring enough to make a change. Why can't that someone be you? You can make the world a better place!
6. “Why fit in when you were born to stand out?”
While living in a world that wants you to conform to its expectations, remember that you are special and different, and that is perfectly okay. Be yourself and stand out.
7. “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.”
Not everyone in life is given the same opportunities, but everyone does have the same decision to make: what will I do with the life I have been given?
8. “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go”
Always challenge yourself to learn more. You are never too old or young to learn more about the world around you.
9. “If things start happening, don’t worry, don’t stew, just go right along and you’ll start happening too.”
Life almost never goes the way we plan for it to, but if you continue to fight it, you will never find happiness. Sometimes you have to roll with the punches and take what you are given. The right doors will open and you will end up where you are supposed to be.
10. “Step with care and great tact, and remember that life’s a great balancing act.”
Life is crazy, and often you are juggling school, work, kids, personal life, and more. But don't forget to take a step back and enjoy the little things.
11. “You’re off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!"
Wake up everyday with a positive attitude. I know this is hard because sometimes you wake up and just want to roll back over and go to sleep, but take every day you are given and make it the best you can.
12. “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind."
If we live our lives trying to make everyone around us happy, we will never be happy. Live your life for you, and do what makes you happy.
13. Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."
In life, it is sometimes easy to live in the past and wish we were still there. But the past is the past for a reason, smile because it did happen and then look to the future and be joyful for what is to come.
