PAGE THREE ~~~ Another Poem (or Lyric or Rhyme)

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
--Dr. Seuss




How does one argue with that?  I guess you might say if taken to an extreme it could be tactless or even cruel but I don't think the good doctor was into extremes. Anyone who could write something like, "the tough coughs as he ploughs the dough" in order to illustrate the different "ou" sounds in the English language must have some sense of the absurd and be fun to hang with.  Even so I want to think about his quote.

Being who you are isn't as easy as it sounds. I will use me as an example. Even though I like who I am I know I'm still learning who that is. One way I learn more about me is by interacting with and being a part of what happens with other people. Although I have concern for people in general there are specific people I care about. When these people are joyful I feel joy and when they hurt I hurt. It also seems to me I'm not just who I think I am but also who others think I am so who exactly does that make me?

Saying what you feel is also difficult. Does this mean you should blurt out anything and everything that pops into your silly head? That would get old in a hurry and while you might get onto the Jerry Springer show you won't get invited to many parties. Thinking and considering before spewing allows one to say what is felt and still have friends. In short, a closed mouth gathers no feet.

Is it true that people who mind who you are and what you say don't matter? Conversely, is it true that people who don't mind who you are or what you say do matter? This one has me scratching my head.

I've been told one of my qualities is I treat people in a way that does not make them feel less than me. If that is true then I like that and would want to have that be a part of who I am. I've tried to be accepting and not judge people but I can't say it's an absolute. There are times when I will accept a person and still not condone a behavior. If this happens do I no longer matter to that person?

If someone doesn't mind who you are; or what you do or what you say, is it truly accepting and thoroughly non-judgmental or is it they just don't give a damn? It doesn't seem this attitude should result in this person mattering more than the one who does mind a bit. Can it be one person minds because he cares and the other doesn't mind because she does not care?

Even though I started by asking how this statement could be argued with it appears I have argued. To make up to the good doctor I must say I think I get what he meant and I do like the sentiment.

Allow me to end with another quote, one I absolutely have no quarrel with.

"Don't cry because it is over. Smile because it happened."
--Dr. Seuss


---Art Gomez