Kid, you'll move mountains!

It's pretty much become a cliché for graduates to be given the Dr. Seuss book Oh, The Places You'll Go! So much so, that I doubt the majority of those who have received it in the past few years has even taken the time to read it. That's a shame.

I just finished working on a baby shower invitation with a Dr. Seuss them for one of my sister's friends. And while doing so, I took the time to read Oh, The Places You'll Go! I probably had not even looked at it since receiving it from my folks over 13 years (yikes!) ago.
What I found was not the simple book of rhyming platitudes I had come to think of it as, but a poignant and encouraging look at life. At success and opportunity, yes. But also at failure, loneliness, and waiting for change.
As one of the many who are waiting on a change in the economy, looking for employment, or any change in there circumstances right now, I found some encouragement there.

Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.

NO!
That's not for you!

Somehow you'll escape
all that waiting and staying.
You'll find the bright places
where Boom Bands are playing.

Anyway, I just thought I would share that. And I would encourage you, if you have a copy somewhere (I would bet that you do), to dust it off and give it a quick read.
Also, I'd like to share the invitation I did. The nice girl I did it for had seen one done like this and wanted me to try and recreate it. It's actually based on the cover for another Seuss book, The Lorax. It was a lot of fun to work on, and I even found a fun Dr. Seuss-themed font in the process.
Here it is, and I should say, all credit to the original designer and of course to Dr. Seuss for his incredible body of work and who continues to inspire.

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.)

KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

So...
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,
you're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So...get on your way!