Oh, The Places You’ll Go!


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This past spring, I graduated from the University of Minnesota with a double major in Spanish and public relations. As the youngest in a fairly large family, I’d anticipated this day for many years. “What are your plans?” “What will you do?” The questions began to filter in as early as Thanksgiving, and it quickly dawned on me that (I guess) I needed a plan.

For several years prior, I had been attracted to agency life and all that came with it. The clients, the atmosphere, the fast-paced environment that kept everyone on their toes – I wanted all of it. Being bored in a stale office was the last thing I aspired to, but even knowing this, I wasn’t sure where college—and beyond—would take me.

The big day itself was wonderful. Although a bit of a rainy start, the afternoon sky opened up to sunshine, and pride from the ceremony carried me airily from celebration to celebration. I was floating on feelings of relief and excitement, and with my family there to congratulate, I felt ready to conquer the world adulthood.

In the evening, we had dinner reservations in Wayzata, where we sat by the lake with seafood and wine. The time quickly came for presents (hooray!), and I got handed bags and cards with thoughtful treats from my friends and family. But perhaps the best present of all was from my dad: Seuss-isms! – a collection of the best and most inspiring excerpts from Dr. Seuss’s children’s books.

“A guide to life for those just starting out…and those already on their way,” it read on the cover, with a picture of Cat in the Hat tipping a congratulations my way.

Later that night—on my own, in my childhood home—I perused the pages of this Dr. Seuss treasure, feeling nostalgic comfort from the riddled words and advice.

“Take a walk on the wild side,” it told me:

Did you ever
fly a kite
in bed?
One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish

And it got me thinking. I didn’t need a plan—not necessarily. I needed a feeling and a goal, a direction and some inspiration. I didn’t need to know what (exactly) I’d do tomorrow or the next day, or next month or next year. I needed to find a place where I felt surrounded by great work and great minds. And somehow, against all pessimistic worries I may have harbored through the years, I found myself at Fast Horse, a place with exactly that.

What I found at this agency is more than I could have asked. Creativity, intelligence, and inspiration around every corner. That’s the advice Dr. Seuss meant to give. Follow your gut and surround yourself with the best.

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.
Oh, the Places You’ll Go!