oh, the places you'll go!

Tonight as I was reading this book to my boys, I had tears streaming down my face. Although I have read this book many times before, suddenly, the words were so profound to my life right now.

Today was one of those days!

I woke up early because I had big plans for today. I was going to get many, many things accomplished. Today was my day! I knew that I was off to great places, off on my way.

I had brains in my head and feet in my shoes. I also could steer myself in the direction I choose. I am the gal who decides where I go!

Just as Dr. Seuss warns, there were streets that I didn't want to go down today. I was going to be a patient, loving, kind mother while getting my ten million things accomplished on my to-do list and keep a sparkling clean house and make the most wonderful dinner, without going down the wrong street!

I was on my way up, getting many things accomplished and having genuine fun with my boys. I was right on schedule and never lagged behind. I was the best of the best and got to the top with the rest.

Except when I was derailed, because as Dr. Seuss says;

I'm sorry to say so
but, sadly, it's true
that Bang-ups
and Hang-ups
can happen to you

You can get all hung up
in a prickle-ly perch
And your gang will fly on
You'll be left in a Lurch.

You'll come down from the Lurch
with an unpleasant bump.
And the chances are, then,
that you'll be in a Slump.

And when you're in a Slump,
you're not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself
is not easily done.

Honestly, as I read this, I thought about my crazy day. How could there possibly be so many dishes all over the kitchen? How could I be so impatient with my boys when I had adored playing with them just hours before? How did I get here? Not just today, but everyday. Is this really my life?

I was relating so much to the words of Dr. Seuss, I couldn't hold back the tears as I read on:

You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.
Some windows are lighted. But mostly they're darked.
A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin!
Do you dare stay out? Do you dare go in?
How much can you lose? How much can you win?

And IF you go in, should you turn left or right...
or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite?
Or go back around and sneak in from behind?
Simple it's not, I'm afraid you will find,
for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.

You can get so confused
that you'll start in to race
down long wigged roads at a break-necking pace
and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space,
headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.

I have so many days where I feel this way; especially being a Mother. I often feel lost and confused on my journey. I feel like I'm running at a break-necking pace in weirdish wild space towards a useless place.

I feel like I am at The Waiting Place...waiting to figure out what in the heck I'm supposed to be doing. Waiting to feel like I've really got a handle on my life. Waiting for life to begin. Just like Everyone is just waiting.

But then, Dr. Seuss reminds me that I will somehow escape and once more I'll ride high! But then I will fall, and be All Alone! However, he reminds me that no matter how crazy my days get or my life seems:

But on you will go
though the weather be foul.
On you will go
though your enemies prowl.
On you will go
though the Hakken-Kraks howl.
Onward up many
a frightening creek,
though your arms may get sore
and your sneakers may leak.

On and on you will hike.
And I know you'll hike far
and face up to your problems
whatever they are.

You'll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know.
You'll get mixed up
with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life's
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)

So...
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So....get on your way!

This is obviously not the entire book, but just a few of my favorite parts. I love the message of this book. Life brings its ups and downs, but in the end, we will all succeed. We just need to start climbing our mountain. I've got to get on my way...because today is still my day and it's not over yet!