I grew up reading Dr. Seuss books. Cat in the Hat, Hop on Pop, and Green Eggs and Ham were some of my favorites.
Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel is the number one children’s author of all time having written and illustrated 44 books. But did you know he was rejected 27 times before being published? So, what enabled him to become one of the most loved and respected authors in the world? His perseverance.
He never gave up on his dream. And the words and stories he left behind can teach us a few things about pursuing our wildest dreams despite the obstacles we face. Here are some of my favorite Dr. Seuss quotes that inspire us to persevere.
1. “Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!” What do you do when life’s challenges bog you down? What do you do when see a roadblock? Don’t give up. Dig deep. Keep looking for creative solutions, whether they are left, right, low, or high. A new idea might take you down the right path…if only you try.
2. “Think and wonder, wonder and think.” We want to do it right the first time, but sometimes returning to the drawing board time and time again can give us a better idea. Always keep your mind open to a new approach. Reflect on the possibilities. Even though your schedule is jam packed, stop for a moment so you can think and wonder and wonder and think.
3. “When he worked, he really worked.” Some people give up before they ever really work toward their goal. In our culture today, many don’t appreciate the value of hard work. We were all created to work and work is good. Work is necessary for a productive life. Work is not only healthy for the body, but also healthy for the mind. When we work, we should do it with all our heart.
4. “Did he run? He did not. Horton stayed on that nest. He held his head high and he threw out his chest, and he looked at the hunters as much as to say, shoot if you must. But, I won’t run away. I meant what I said and I said what I meant, an elephant’s faithful one hundred percent.” When verbal bullets come your way and when others want to hurt you, stay the course. Stand strong for what you believe. Remember that God is ultimately in control.
For the original article, visit markmerrill.com. Mark Merrill is the president of Family First.
Joseph Mattera 
BJ Foster 
Shelby Bowen 
