Enough with the negativity! Time for some positiveness. Is ‘positiveness’ even a word? It doesn’t look that great on paper. Screw it, I’m too tired to even bother looking it up.
Tonight, I was reading a book to our hyperactive 4 year old*. After about 1 minute, she lost interest in it, but I enthusiastically finished it. It was a book with a bunch of quotes by various famous people. Many of the quotes were from Dr. Seuss and they were all pretty great. Today, I’d like to share some of them with you.
Be who you are and say what you feel,
because those who mind don’t matter
and those who matter don’t mind.
Surround yourself with the best people who will be your friend. Together, you will make each other better. Leave the negative ones behind.
Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.
Sometimes, I spend time looking back with regret or wisfulness. This is a complete waste of time since the past is over. Learn from the past, but don’t live in it.
Why fit in when you were born to stand out?
Many of us spend too much time trying to conform. The most interesting and successful people in the world make their own path.
You’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So… get on your way!
With hard work, anything is possible. Stop complainin’ because times a wastin’!
You’ll miss the best things if you keep your eyes shut.
A couple years ago, I was driving in horrible traffic in the concrete jungle that is I-290 outside of Chicago. I was in a foul mood, cursing traffic when I glanced over and saw something incredible. Growing out of a crack in the shoulder was a huge sunflower. It was amazing and I’ll never forget it.
Be awesome! Be a book nut!
One of my passions in life is reading. I could easily live without TV. I wouldn’t want to live without books though. If this 1500 days thing really works out and I retire, the first thing I’m going to do is haul my butt down to the library and get a big stack of books. None of them will be about plumbing.
Sometimes you will never know the value of something, until it becomes a memory.
Don’t forget to live in the present. Appreciate the people and experiences today. You never know when they will be gone.
It’s not about what it is, it’s about what it can become.
Your past is your past. Don’t let it hold you back or define you.
How did it get so late so soon? It’s night before it’s afternoon. December is here before it’s June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?
Nothing lasts forever; not even you my friend. Get off your butt and get at it!
*Our older child is quiet and introspective. She’ll sit down with books for hours. Our 4 year old is the opposite. She runs around like a nut and never stops talking. Seriously. Even when she is by herself playing, she continues to talk. In her sleep, she talks. At the age of 4, I think she has spoken more words than me.
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Oh, the wisdom of Dr. Seuss, combined with an engaging rhythm, creative word play, and an intriguing plot. Every child should have a double dose every day. Many times, when faced with a task I’m tempted to give up on — eating correct food portions including dessert, organizing the chaos in the attic, convincing my husband he can put his own dishes in the dishwasher — I remember Horton and his egg and think, “I meant what I said, and I said what I meant, an elephant’s faithful 100%.”
Yes, we was brilliant. The books have something for children and adults alike.
“…convincing my husband he can put his own dishes in the dishwasher”
That never happens in our household…
“I meant what I said, and I said what I meant, an elephant’s faithful 100%.”
I love that line. One of the greatest in children’s literature? In all literature?
My daughter used to love to hear me read his “Oh Say Can You Say”. More tongue twisters than an an adult can get through without messing up. The joy they feel in hearing the words and you failing to make it through without a mistake.
Ha, I’ll have to try that one!
Solid quotes! Oh, and just for future reference (not to be “that” internet guy): positivity
Dave @ The New York Budget recently posted…Cheap Events: Division III Basketball Near You
<3 If you weren't going to be that guy, I would have considered it. =)
My yoga instructor reads an inspirational quote at the end of every class and the first quote you showed was our quote a couple weeks ago!
Mrs. Pop @ Planting Our Pennies recently posted…How We Lowered Our Cell Phone Bill By Over $100/Month – Part 2
Nice! Your yoga instructor is a good person!
And no problem; both of you! I love good criticism. I’d much rather have someone tell me I’m wrong than continue to make the same mistakes.
Oh, the Places You’ll Go. This needs to be reading for all adults every few years. Teaches you not to sit on your butt and let the world go by you.
Yep, that is one of the best.
Oh, I love quotes! That first one is so important, and something I’ve really only learned recently.
It sounds like our kids are very similar — my oldest is a total bookworm, loves learning, can keep himself occupied for ages. The baby is showing every sign of being a handful.
I think this is some kind of evolutionary adaptation. If the first one was a pain, the human race would die out!
Our little one is like the cartoon Tasmanian Devil on steroids. She is full on and then she’ll crash and be instantly asleep.
It makes me think of a saying that I’ve come across lately..
“Kids are like blenders without the lid.”
It’s so true!
Yes, that is a good one. At least you can wipe off the blender and lock it away in a cabinet!
Great quotes 1500’s!!!
I’m so with you on the book thing… I have one reserved at the library but haven’t even had time to pick it up yet this week! Booo!
theFIREstarter recently posted…The Fresh Prince of Bel-Fire
I’d live at the library part time if I could!
First off, great quotes! Dr. Seuss was always a good read and has universal applications for most of his stuff. And I’m with you on the library! I’m there at least once a week if possible..
It is also amazing to me how different siblings can be. I have a twin brother and an older brother who is 18-months older than I am. The three of us are all reasonably bright individuals but couldn’t be further apart when it comes to personality and how we think. It will be very interesting to see how your two daughters compare 10-12 years from now as they get closer to adulthood.
writing2reality recently posted…How to Invest in Lending Club and Prosper – My 2014 Investment Criteria
This sibling thing is wild. Kids definitely aren’t born with a blank slate. They are programmed.
Dr. Suess is great! Such brilliance, written such simply. I think that is the mark of a great writer!
Jon @ Our Fine Adventure recently posted…Medium-Term Goal: Savings Account or Investment Account?
Yes, the best writers are short and sweet. Except for Stephen King.
So many gems! I like the book nut one.
eemusings recently posted…Crazy little thing called love
Yes, the nut one is great. Books are the best!
Love those Dr. Seuss quotes, I’ll have to get that book too. My son is only 7 months old but we still read to him…he might not understand the meaning yet but at least I’ll enjoy it..plus we’ll have it for the future.
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Check out the comment I left for jlcollinsnh. My wife read about it somewhere and its a wonderful idea!
Dr. Seuss has always been a favorite of mine, and he definitely speaks perfectly to adults and kids. He truly exemplifies “simple genius”. It’s nice to have such a positive Thursday Rant post too. One of my favorite Dr. Seuss quotes is from his Happy Birthday To You book: “Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”
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Yes, that is a great one too! I probably could have included 100!
Love the good doctor and always especially loved “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!”
I even stole one of those quotes you provided for my own post of them:
http://jlcollinsnh.com/2012/06/12/i-could-not-have-said-it-better-myself/
Somehow I hadn’t included any from Dr. Seuss. Shame on me!
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We have that book for each of our children. At the end of every school year, we have the teacher write a little blurb and sign it. We’ll give them the book when they turn 18.
Very cool idea!
Wish we’d thought of it when our daughter was young.
Heck. Wish my parents had thought of it for me!
jlcollinsnh recently posted…Case Study #8: Ron’s mother – she’s doin’ all right!
That man is just full of great quotes. I always giggle when I think about him trippin’, shall we say, when he wrote them. I wanted to pick a favorite but I’m not sure I can. I’d say the don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened is one I should take to heart more.
Thanks for sharing all these!
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I wonder if he really did? Seems like it with some of those wild pictures!
Those first two quotes are definitely ones I’ve looked to in my life to remind me of what matters. This article has brightened up my day!
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I know of him, but l had never seen anything by him. I didn’t grow up with that, but l do like those quotes. I will check him out, never too late! Right???
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She is a cutie. She just balances out the dynamic in the home 🙂
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