Today, March 2, 2016, marks the 112th birthday of one of my favorite authors, Theodore Seuss Geisel---more commonly known as a the extraordinary "Dr. Seuss"! Although his voice was silenced in 1991, his life and writings continue to influence and entertain both children and adults alike. His poem, an "Ode To A Zode", has had a poignant effect on my thinking since I was a child, and for this reason I am sharing it with you today:
ODE TO A ZODE
By Dr. Seuss
Did I ever tell you about the young Zode,
Who came to two signs at the fork of a road?
One said: “To Place One,” and the other: “Place Two.”
So, the Zode had to make up his mind what to do.
Well, the Zode scratched his head, and his chin, and his pants;
And he said to himself: “I’ll be taking a chance!
If I go to Place One, now, that place may be hot,
And so, how do I know if I’ll like it or not?
On the other hand, though, I’ll be sort of a fool
If I go to Place Two and I find it too cool.
In that case, I may catch a chill and turn blue!
So, maybe Place One is the best, not Place Two.
On the other hand, though, if Place One is too high,
I might get a migraine headache and die!
So, Place Two may be best. . .
On the other hand, though, what might happen to me if Place Two is too low?
I might get some very strange pain in my toe!”
Then he stopped and he said, “Well, on the other hand. . .
But on the other hand. . . well, on the other hand, though!”
And for 36 hours and a half, that poor Zode
Made stops and starts at that fork in the road,
Saying: “Don’t take a chance! You may not be right!”
Then he got an idea that was wonderfully bright.
“Play safe!” cried the Zode. “I’ll play safe; I’m no dunce.
I’ll simply start off for both places at once!”
And that’s how the Zode, who would not take a chance,
Got to No Place At All, with a split in his pants!
Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!
How many of us end up at "no place at all" because we let fear, doubt and uncertainty paralyze our progress? Fear and doubt kill more dreams than failure ever will. Many, many successful people failed numerous times before they achieved success. Babies fall down time after time in the process of learning to walk. How sad would it be if a baby simply gave up along the way, saying to himself, "this walking thing isn't for me."?
Take a step TODAY toward your dream, even if it is a very small one. Don't fear failure. Fear being in the exact same place next year as you are today with your passion lying dormant inside you.

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!
What a gloriously fun post! Thank you so much for sharing this delightful poem. It simply made my day!
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