I’m asked all the time about my tattoos.
Everything from Won’t you regret them when your skin sags? (Nah, I await colorful-droopage) to May I touch them?? (typically asked by the under-5 crowd, it’s not really a query & I kinda the exuberant leg rubs).
Since Texas is often shorts weather my leg sleeve is the most visible. As a result, it’s the art I’m most frequently asked about.
People either adore it (point it out to their under-5 & leg rubs commence) or they adore Seuss but aren’t tattoo fans.
Both reactions make me smile because they spark people to reminisce about childhood.
I spent months selection each image on my leg as they all hold special meanings for me (e.g., one is how I explained adoption to the Child when she was small).
It’s also intriguing to me how the more I’ve chatted with strangers/friends about Seussian-stuffs I’ve chosen, the more I’ve learned the same images/quotes hold entirely different “special meanings” for them.
(I studiously avoid the politics of Seuss conversations although I find that facet of him fascinating, too.)
Tomorrow is Dr. Seuss’ birthday.
It’s the day we bring inflatable hats to school and celebrate the silliness he’s brought to our lives.
Today I want to share how the man who gifted us Bofa on the Sofa and Desert of Drize reminds at least me of the importance of healthy living.
Did I ever tell you how lucky you are?
What I learned:
Screw motivation. If we are physically capable of moving our bodies we are, indeed, lucky. No matter how much we wanna whine, lament or moan about how bad we have it or tired we are the fact we are ABLE to exercise makes us a lucky one. This book taught me MOJO? SCHMOJO. Just get out there and START.
And to think that I saw it on Mulberry Street.
What I learned:
Use your imagination. Get creative. Things are usually not as impossible or challenging as they seem (or even as boring as they initially appear). Choose to view life thru the lens of where can I squeeeeze fitness into my day? Mulberry Street taught me the complete lack of validity to the often uttered I have no time! whine and reminded me never to listen to those who scoff at my nontraditional methods.
The Sneeches
What I learned:
Don’t waste time or energy (or money) worrying about what anyone else is doing! Is “everyone” doing Whole30? Are friends training for a marathon when you can’t even run a mile? WHO CARES! No way is better than any other. There’s no single path to healthy living success. Focus on your belly and care not what others sport on theirs.
Pale Green Pants (AKA What was I Scared of? )
What I learned:
Embrace fear. When we expose what we fear to the light of day we often see there was nothing to fear in the first place! This applies to all sorts of fears. From fear of weight training (what if the people at the gym laugh at me?) to group exercise trepidation (what if I’m not good enough?) to changing the way we view food (what if I let myself down *again*?). When shown the light and scrutinized most fears are pretty misplaced. In addition, when we give ourselves the opportunity to take that first step, quite conquerable.
Horton Hatches the Egg
What I learned:
The importance of committing not quitting when things get rough. This book also taught me about service being the rent we pay for living. It reminded me the importance of helping others when they may not be ready, willing, or able to help themselves. It admonishes us to “sit on their egg for them if need be” and if nothing else you, too, will benefit through getting a fab helpers high.
Oh, the places you’ll go!
What I learned:
Lots, but what resonated most with me was the focus on overcoming problems. Seuss reminds us the importance of facing down our perceived obstacles. Through the story he emphasizes when we embrace negative emotions we discover we’re capable of working through the feelings with minimal destructive behavior. Whether the “problem” we bump up against is quitting working out or thinking we’ve blown our “diet” it’s important to plan ahead. We must avoid the trap of thinking dark times/challenges wont happen. They will. They happen to all of us. Deviating from what we’d thought would be our healthy living path and finding our way back *on* is part of the journey.
(gazes down at leg sleeve and decides to celebrate by wearing shorts today…and tomorrow.)
And that’s it.
The why behind my Seuss sleeve and 6 powerful ways Seuss’ books shifted my thoughts on healthy living.
You?
- Are you celebrating Theodor Geisel‘s birthday?
- What’s your favorite Dr. Seuss book and why?
Bea says
March 1, 2017 at 4:46 amI love this!!!!!
messymimi says
March 1, 2017 at 5:29 amLove the good Dr. Seuss! He taught me and my children to read. Thinking back, the lessons i unconsciously absorbed are teaching me still.
jennifer says
March 1, 2017 at 6:10 amHe had the best lessons . . .. we still sometimes reference them with our teenagers! You’re never too old!
Linz @ Itz Linz says
March 1, 2017 at 6:22 amyou’re amazing! i almost want to show this post to my fourth graders as we celebrate dr seuss’s birthday this week! so many wise lessons, as always!
Susie @ Suzlyfe says
March 1, 2017 at 6:26 amI think I need to take you in for show and tell at all of the schools 😀
Susan says
March 1, 2017 at 6:28 amLoved this! You brought back so many fond memories of my childhood and my sons. I loved so many of his books Green Eggs and Ham, Oh The Places You’ll Go, Are you My Mother?
Dr. Suess taught us so many life lessons his work will live on…
MCM Mama says
March 1, 2017 at 6:34 amI love Dr. Seuss. I have quite a collection of his books from when the kids were little and I have no intention of getting rid of them. And “Oh, the places you’ll go” is a go to graduation gift for me.
Leanne | crestingthehill says
March 1, 2017 at 7:56 amI love your leg sleeve (I think I’ve said that a gazillion times now!) Dr Seuss always reminds me of when my kids were little and reading with them. You’re right about all the positive stuff he inspires and the can-do attitude – that’s why it’s good for kids (and obviously for the grown-ups too)
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says
March 1, 2017 at 8:01 amI think that Dr Seuss will be required reading in college philosophy and literature classes.
When I was a kid, the stories were just fun. I loved Cat in the Hat. But I always felt anxious reading it, because the mom was coming home and the house was a mess! What does that say about me? And my childhood?
Beth says
March 1, 2017 at 8:03 amOh the Places You’ll Go has been a favorite, a guide, and the truth of my life. The good Dr is filled with adult wisdom and whimsy that we pretend are for children.
Karen Austin says
March 1, 2017 at 8:05 amGreat life lessons from Dr. Seuss. Thanks for sharing these stories / tats.
Shalama says
March 1, 2017 at 9:05 amInteresting take on the books, characters and messages. My all-time favorite is I Think I Saw it on Mulberry Street. I had a copy as a kid and have bought one for myself as an adult.
b+ (Retire in Style Blog) says
March 1, 2017 at 2:49 pmThis is so perfect. Dr. Suess’ books are a wellspring of inspiration! We could leave a stack of them beside our bed and read just one page upon waking. If nothing else, we would begin everyday with a smile.
Thank you.
Barbara
Lisa Ricard Claro says
March 1, 2017 at 3:59 pmLove Seuss, never seen Seuss tattoos. So cool! I have to remember to tell my daughters about these, because they both have multiple tattoos with more on the way. 🙂
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
March 1, 2017 at 10:10 pmI’ve always loved your tattoos. And Dr. Seuss. The older I get, the more I learn from his books.
I have “Oh, the places you’ll go!” tattooed on my foot. For me, it’s about embracing adventure.
GiGi Eats says
March 2, 2017 at 8:08 amI ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS consider myself insanely lucky thanks to the fact that I have all of my limbs, I wake up every day and I can move and talk! It’s the “little” things that are the most important, that people fail to realize !!
Lori says
March 2, 2017 at 6:32 pmAs a blogger who named her blog after one of Dr. Seuss most famous books, I love this post and you tattoos!!
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