The creativity of a kid.

As trivial as it may seem, Dr. Seuss. Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat has been my favorite book since before I could remember. Still, decades later, I’ll grab it, unconsciously, from the book shelf whenever the kids want to hear a bedtime story. Astoundingly though, for a different reason than times passed before.

The notion that creativity comes from within encourages children to embrace their own creativity. This is imperative because often times as you grow through life you can lose your sense of creativity and purpose in the mayhem of adulthood and survival. Without creativity, though, there is no purpose. Where there is no purpose, there is no modicum of a chance to achieve your best self. How often do we fail to encourage the kiddies to hold onto dreams AND walk them through nurturing and cultivating those dreams to fulfillment? Some may do exceedingly well at it. However, a lot more see the dreams of an overly active child as nothing more than fairytales and wide noses. I do not criticize here. I simply encourage a deep dive into our true selves through the lens of a children’s book, with our younger eyes full of cheer and glee and expectation for great things. Ultimately, by getting adults to deep dive and resurface their true creative selves, their true and brilliant minds, we will have the honor of bearing witness to the kids flourish because of our example.

Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat profoundly expresses to easily influenced young minds there is depth to your otherwise “crazy” or “wacky” ideas and concepts. Seuss made creativity, where you make mistakes and achieve successes, a safe place. He made being human fun and witty. Instead of letting it be a lonely, depressed place because you feel weird or different because you think differently, express yourself differently, explore differently and circumstances are unfavorable. Seuss makes being your true self fun and enlightening. Even when mistakes are made.

There’s nothing more real and meaningful than cultivating and nurturing a child to explore their true selves. Whatever forces drive them to whatever explorations, encourage it, let it flourish into something amazing and beautiful. No one can ever take the things that make you innately you away from you. Creativity, something you’re born with, can only be given away. Who gives their best gifts away? Not very many people, especially overly possessive little people. Why then are the traits which make us who we are so easily sat on the sideline while we try to “figure out life”? Too often we stand idly by while our kiddos cast aside their greatest attributes. No worries though, all is not lost. Seuss encourages us to say “no more” and the kids to take their creativity by the reigns and soar beyond anything they could ever imagine or dream.

An old saying, “out of the mouth of babes”. As adults, we absolutely, unequivocally, do not have all the answers. Especially for the brilliant humans we have charge over. But, we can listen, observe and let them show us how best to help them navigate life their way. Through their lenses and in their time.

Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat gives me new perspective, taking me back every time I read it, as an instantaneous reminder, to slow down. Remember what was achievable at 5,6,7,8. Examine myself, in that very moment, to re-write the vision, back to purpose and creativity, hopes and dreams fulfilled, and make it plain. Then, gather my kiddies under me and ensure they have not lost their fervor. They have not lost their drive. Their creative abilities. Their hopes and dreams. Because that, creativity which breeds purpose, is what makes a life fulfilled. Not the materialistic things. Not the hustle and bustle of adulting. Not keeping up with the Kardashians or the Carter’s or Smith’s or TikTok or Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat or Twitter. Purpose birthed from the creativity you were born with.