oh the places you'll go .... so get on your way!

Congratulations!
Today is your day!
You're off to great places!
You're off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.'

You're on your own.
And you know what you know.
And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go.

You'll look up and down streets.

Look them over with care.

About some you'll say

"I don't wish to go there."

With your head full of brains,

And your shoes full of feet,

You're too smart to go down a not-so-good-street.

And you may not find any you'll want to go down.

In that case, of course, you'll head straight out of town.

It's opener there, in the wide open air.

Out there things happen, and frequently do,

To people as brainy and footsy as you.
And when things start to happen, don't worry, don't stew.
Just go right along, you'll start happening too!
Oh the places you'll go!
You'll be on your way up!
You'll be seeing great sights!
You'll join the high fliers,
Who soar at high heights.
You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed.
You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you’ll be the best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

• Except when you don't,
  Because sometimes you won't.
  I'm sorry to say so
  But, sadly it's true
  That bang-ups and hang-ups
  Can happen to you.

You can get so confused that you’ll start in to race
Down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace
And grind on for miles across weirdish wild space,
Headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.

The Waiting Place… for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go or a bus to come,
Or a plane to go or the mail to come
Or the rain to go or the phone to ring,
Or the snow to snow, or waiting around for a Yes or No
Or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.

• 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.
With banner flip-flapping, once more you’ll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky.

• 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.

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 Ale Van Allen O'Shea,
  You're off to great places!
  Today is your day!
  Your mountain is waiting.
  So... Get on your way.

I was reminded of this spectacular book at Lexi's school program last night (which was adorable - all Dr. Suess songs and costumes), and had to come home and look it up.  I'm astounded at how much truth resides in the words of this silly book.  Not so silly, indeed ... 98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed!