The month of March brings about many things. As a teacher and mom to littles, I always associate Dr. Seuss this month. There is a lot that comes to mind when I think of Dr. Seuss. Perhaps you think of the wacky characters, his brilliant use of made-up words, his eccentric writing style, the classics that have become hallmarks in our homes, baby nurseries and holidays.
As a child, I enjoyed reading his books and loved feeling smart because if he could make up words, so could I. As a teacher, I appreciate how he shows kids that you can be different and think outside of the mold when it comes to writing. In my adult life, though, Dr. Seuss has meant more to me than just his beloved books and characters.
The quotes that belong to him are so meaningful and resonate deeply with me. One of my greatest joys is reading. I love the fact that he makes it fun and has books that make kids feel smart. They can take a chance when reading his books and because some of his words are not real, they are safe to make mistakes.
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” The more we educate ourselves on the world happening around us, the more we will know.
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
“It’s high time you were shown that you really don’t know all there is to be known.” I think this quote is so impactful because of the humility one must have. Sometimes we think we have all the answers and are reminded that we still have a lot left to learn.
“If you keep your eyes open enough, oh, the stuff you will learn! The most wonderful stuff!” How much of your life are you missing out on with your nose in your phone? How much could we be taking in, feeling, and learning from each other if we paid more attention?
“Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.” Perhaps most of all, this quote hits home the most for me. We never know the impact a moment has and the power in time spent with others until we are left with the realization that our time with them on earth is done.
As you go about this month, take some tips from Dr. Seuss. READ and THINK, be wacky and weird, WRITE, pay attention to the world around you, don’t be afraid to be silly and try new things, care about people no matter how small they seem, and appreciate every single second you have with the people you love.
Megan Rathz is a wife, mother, and teacher. She says everything she has ever learned in life came from her Master Gardener mother.