Three Themes From Three Books
If you look close enough, you’ll find that the deepest of lessons are found in the simplest of stories.
Stories like that of Dr Seuss.
Dr Seuss, real name Theodor Seuss Geisel, was kind of a literary genius of children’s books. Everything you want in a book—colourful illustrations, energetic vocabulary, cute characters—Dr Seuss had done it.
Theodor Seuss Geisel, aka Dr Seuss
Strip away the illustrations and focus solely on the theme behind the book, the best authors are those who invite you into a sea of wisdom and deep thought.
Today's newsletter is a mini-dedication to one of the greatest children's authors ever lived. Never read any of his books? No worries. I’ve extracted three themes from three books that I hope would inspire you and your children.
Oh, The Places’ You’ll Go (1990)
In this story, the main character drags on for miles toward the most useless place: The Waiting Place.
Here's an excerpt of my favourite part of the book:
Everyone is just waiting
Waiting for the fish to bite
There's an air of sadness in this one. Sad because it describes a group of people stuck in an imaginary space, either because they were scared to take a leap or to try something new.
They're just sitting around, waiting.
This is the reality for many of us. A harsh reflection of the world we live in—how we all keep waiting and waiting and waiting for that "perfect" moment. What makes it even more melancholic is that the reader knows that this moment will never come.
I'm certain of this because it was talking about me.
And I reckon it could be talking about you, too
Maybe it has been at the back of your mind for years and you haven’t quite gotten down on it. Or maybe you’re just waiting for the right conditions—the right time, the right bank account balance, the right amount of mental preparation—before taking a step forward.
I was tricked into thinking that it’s the safest place I could ever be.
But the what you’re looking for is found just outside The Waiting Place.
The moment you realise your actions, no matter how small, catalyses more action, will be the moment you realise that everything is in arm’s reach. Keep in mind:
To do is better than to not
The perfect time is an illusion
Treat risk and reward equally
Humans tend to give too much credit to risk while relegating the potential upsides. We fear loss over gain. That’s a terrible mindset. Fulfilment will only come when we fight our intuition, control our fears, and be courageous to defy logic.
What you need to do: replace "waiting" with "doing". And that's what Dr Seuss meant on the next page when he wrote:
NO! That's not for you.
Because you're that kind of a guy!
I Can Read With My Eyes Shut (1978)
In this book, Dr. Seuss’s iconic character—the Cat in the Hat— returns to encourage a young boy named Young Cat in his reading journey.
This is something I wished I could do: travel back in time to remind little me that I should have read more. Not because reading will get me better grades. Not because reading will make me smarter. Not because reading is what every kid “should” be doing.
But because reading is an adventure.
A journey of the mind.
The more that you read, the more things you will know
Far, far behind
There are literally a million types of books in the world. Weave your fingers across the library shelves and you’ll be surprised with a topic you know nothing about. You can read almost anywhere and about almost anything! And that's what your kids should be exposed to. New, unheard knowledge lying between the pages.
In one neurological study, researchers used brain scans to examine what happens inside people’s heads as they read fiction:
“Readers mentally simulate each new situation encountered in a narrative”, reports Psychological Science. “Details about actions and sensation are captured from the text and integrated with personal knowledge from past experiences, mirroring those involved when people perform, imagine or observe similar real-world activities”.
Reading is by no means a passive exercise. The reader becomes the book.
It's also a habit of highly successful people.
Take for instance, Harry Truman.
He assumed the mantle of presidency in the wake of his predecessor’s sudden death in April 1945. Without warning, he found himself confronted with the atomic era and the Cold War. Though unprecedented, Truman, an avid reader since a child, drew upon the wisdom from the books he read. He famously said, “every leader is a reader.”
And if I may add, every creator is a reader.
But if you don't read, you're likely to find yourself lagging behind, struggling to catch up.
Dive into the ocean of literature and you’ll unearth wisdom and creativity that leads to original ideas. Leaders, much like curious children of imagination, pick up reading from a young age.
Keep your eyes wide
Green Eggs and Ham (1960)
A story of Sam-I-Am’s persistent efforts to convince the main character to try green eggs and ham.
It sounds delicious. Why wouldn't anyone eat them?
Despite the repeated refusals and the various situations in which Sam-I-Am presents green eggs and ham, the main character remains a stubborn, foolish brat. Sam-I-Am then suggests trying green eggs and ham in other locations, such as in a box, with a fox, in a house, with a mouse, and so on.
I do not like them, Sam-I-Am!
Sounds pretty much like a family member or friend we have—refuses to change, refuses to embrace new technology, refuses to take take control of their lives. Dr Seuss wasn't making all these up. He was writing about a social plague that was infecting human society. Still so relevant today.
But that breakthrough moment, that freedom from a bad habit, that success you’ve been looking for your entire lives?
It's one green egg and ham away.
This simple story ends on a high when curiosity overcomes the main character's resistance to try something new. He did eventually eat the green eggs and ham, which he, to his surprise, actually enjoys.
I like green eggs and ham!
Consider that one action you or your child could take—one that has the potential to alter the trajectory of your life. Imagine the outcome if we had the courage to actually do it.
We all need a bit of encouragement and patience to step outside our comfort zones. Don't let fear grip you. Let curiosity push you forward. Exemplify it in your own lives first before you expect your children to do the same.
But don’t sit on it for too long. Try those green eggs and ham as soon as you can.
I'm sure you'll like it.
Be well,
Miss G (@gladyssoh)
