On the day of my high school graduation party, my mom tearfully gave me a book from my childhood. The book was Dr. Seuss’ "Oh, the Places You’ll Go!" I didn’t understand why it was given to me until I read it again, over a decade after it was first read to me. Here are 10 lessons we who stand on the eve of life should hear:
1. We control our destiny.
“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.”
Since birth we are inundated with influences from everyone around us; parents, friends, culture etc. It is imperative to remember, especially at this stage in life, that we are the masters of our fate. Our decisions are our own.
2. It is our destiny to leave our families and enter the wider world.
“Out there [in the world] things can happen / and frequently do / to people as brainy / and footsy as you. / And when things start to happen, / don’t worry. Don’t stew. / Just go right along. / You’ll start happening too.”
At some point in life we must set out to make something of ourselves in the world. Get up, get out and do something. Happen.
3. Get hyped.
“OH! / THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!”
This is a beautiful exclamation of excitement and ambition for what the future holds. Get hyped, friends; the best days of our lives are ahead of us. This generation – our generation – will conquer nations, usurp leaders, cure diseases, make millions and change the world. Where will you be?
4. Failure happens.
“I’m sorry to say so / but, sadly, it’s true / that Bang-ups / and Hang-ups / can happen to you.”
People our age, myself included, think themselves invincible; we are not. We will inevitably fail sometimes.
5. Confusion happens.
“You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.”
We are the trailblazers of our individual destinies, and all trails are different. No matter what people claim, there is no universal path to success – we must find our own, and there will be times when we don’t know what we’re doing. Just keep moving.
6. Avoid stagnation.
“Somehow you’ll escape / all that waiting and staying. / You’ll find the bright places / where the Boom Bands are playing.”
Get up and do something, big fella. You’ve been selling dime sacks for too long. Find some ambition and run with it.
7. Loneliness happens.
“Whether you like it or not, / Alone will be something / you’ll be quite a lot.”
There’s not a whole lot to talk about. At the end of the day, the path we walk is our own. We may have people accompany us, but at some point all paths diverge.
8. Life is about balance.
“Step with care and great tact / and remember that Life’s / a Great Balancing Act.”
A successful life lies at the intersection of humor and seriousness, work and family, emotion and reason, individualism and collectivism. Walk with care.
9. We are powerful.
“KID, YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!”
Give a mustard seed of faith and a helluva lot of effort, and, for you, Everest itself will move from the Himalayas to the Sierras. You’re too smart, too talented, too unique to waste your life.
10. Our mountains await.
“Today is your day! / Your mountain is waiting. / So… get on your way!”
What are you waiting for? Somewhere out in the wide world a mountain awaits you. Maybe it’s a degree or apprenticeship or lover; or maybe it’s something entirely different, something entirely unique to you. Get up, find your mountain and move it.
