Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

Today's the 106th anniversary of the birth of Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss.

A few Seuss quotes to rattle around in your brain today...

"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...

Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.

I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!

Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope.

You can get help from teachers, but you are going to have to learn a lot by yourself, sitting alone in a room.

Think and wonder, wonder and think.

Try them, try them, and you may! Try them and you may, I say.

Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.

Creative Half Halt

Hyacinth in the snow...photo by the Pilot Guy

There it is allllll stretched out in front of you, a fresh new month. A month poised with one foot firmly in the icy temps of winter while the other foot dips a toe in the warming pool of spring.

Today is a good day to revisit hopes, dreams, and plans. The last post remains valid...give credit for what's actually been done, but, today, let's also look forward. What do you want to accomplish this month (week, day)? How does that fit into your year-long or life-long goals?

In horseback riding, it's called a half halt, where the rider 'gathers up' the horse beneath him with reins, legs, seat, and voice. It's a quick maneuver that signals a horse to stop, then immediately to go forward again. The animal never stops, most witnesses might not even see the hitch in the stride. The result, however, is a more collected horse. Alert, with all four hooves directly under her...balanced...resulting in more nimbleness. A half halt is excellent when a change in direction is needed or to refocus both horse and rider.

A human half halt could be the two minutes you stand quietly, close your eyes, breathe deeply, and ask, what's the most important thing I can do right now? Really listen...what's important, not what's urgent. You'll open your eyes with greater vision and clearer purpose.

Take a moment...

What important goals have you neglected recently?

What actions do you need to take to put yourself back on the path toward your creative dreams?

Go for it!