What are we teaching
our children? I’m not speaking about societal mores and values - important,
yes, though obviously not all of us are on the same given page in “The
Book Of Life. I’m talking about things even more fundamental than
this - how we turn the pages, how we describe, instigate and encourage
investigation into “The Big Picture” -- (or do we?) -- whether it’s The
Front Cover, or ‘the last page’. How are we making it real and relevant?
Have we studied it ourselves? Initiation into varied Faiths and History
covers a lot of ground, but again, few of us seem to actually identify
with the characters portrayed, and whose accounts are told… and
whose accounts we ‘faithfully’ pass on…
This question coincides with two books I recently happen
to be reading - opposites one might think, yet even with my love of Paradox
- I haven’t yet seen any conflict. It only leaves me smiling. One is “Women
Who Run with the Wolves” by Clarissa Pinkola Estes PhD (1992 - Ballantine
Books), which explores the mythology, themes, dream meanings, and deeply
(very deep) abiding lessons of so-called Fairy Tales. Exquisite,
and very wise. No ‘Disneyesque’ aspects whatsoever. “Radical” to some…
Healing, altogether! But you won’t believe the second one. It’s by our
own beloved Dr. Seuss - called “Oh the Places You’ll Go!” (Random House
- 1990)
Now, while the former may have been an eagerly sought
best seller a decade ago for Adults, the latter (though still in publication)
is hardly part of any Top Ten ‘Children’s Essential Library’. And I wonder
why, but then I stop. It ain’t “Green Eggs and Ham” or “The Cat in the
Hat” where things are easily resolved between front and back cover, nor
quite in the realms of humorous and FUNdamental measures of acquiescence
in the young ‘uns, lessons learned. Rather, it’s about marching to the
beat of your own drummer, about flying high, and falling down -
about being in “The Waiting Place” where illusions are not meant to be
fulfilled, yet where so many end up. It’s about being ‘alone’ at times,
and it’s about being stuck in the dark, and on winding roads, and learning
to trust in finding ones way. It doesn’t point an accusing finger at God,
or The Fates, or ‘Karma-gone-wrong’, nor wallow in ‘punishment’ for ones
shortcomings that occur. It’s about the really kewl journey that
we undertake from the moment we ‘venture out’, seeking to find our place,
and finding it again even after becoming lost for a time. And about starting
over…
It’s about reconciliation with Life itself. It’s about
small deaths… and rebirths - and about some that are not small at all!
However you celebrate this season, no matter your faith, remember we pass
on what we’ve found, and that we are never done discovering ourselves…
and if we’re not afraid, we can pass on Courage…
“Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” - edited excerpt (Get the
book!)
You can get so confused
that you’ll start to race
down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace
and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space,
headed, I fear, towards 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 go
or waiting around for a Yes or No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
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.
Ready because you’re that kind of guy!
Fame! You’ll be famous as famous can be,
with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.
Except when they don’t.
Because, sometimes, they won’t.
I’m afraid that some times you’ll play lonely
games too.
Games you can’t win ‘cause you’ll play against you.
All Alone!
Whether you like it or not,
Alone will be something you’ll be quite a lot.
And when you’re alone, there’s a very good chance
you’ll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.
There are some, down the road, between hither and yon,
that can scare you so much you won’t want to go on.
But on you will go though the weather be foul.
On you will go though your enemies prowl.
On you will go though the Hakken-Kraks howl.
Onward up many a frightening creek,
though your arms may get sore and your sneakers may leak.
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…
