Cat in the Hat Personal Progress

Our theme for Evening of Excellence was "Oh, the Places You'll Go" from Dr. Seuss.  As YW president, I was asked to talk and since I was dressed as the Cat In the Hat, I wrote a little poem to inspire.  The girls and adults loved it, so I thought I'd share it here.  Feel free to use it in your wards and families too!

Cat in the Hat Personal Progress

If the sun does not shine.

And it’s too wet to play.

Do not sit in the house

All that cold, cold, wet day

Personal Progress is something

For one and for two.

Lots of wonderful projects 

You will love to do!

So pull out your book

It’s for short and for tall.

Don’t just sit in your house.

and do nothing at all.

For if all that you do is to

Sit!

Sit!

Sit!

Sit!

You will not like it.

Not one little bit. 

So listen to me!

I’m the Cat in the Hat!

Listen to me!

And you will not fall flat!

There is lots you can do

and it starts just like that.

Begin building your faith

It is fun that’s not funny.

Plant a seed that will grow

In the sun that is sunny!”

To your faith add patience, kindness,

temperance, and love

These things are all in you,

from your Father above.

As His daughter you are cherished,

He knows and loves you.

Your life’s mission to fulfill

Is what you must do.

Does this seem like a lot?

For I’ve still more to say.

Don’t be discouraged,

Just start today.

There’s so much to learn,

Reading lights up the way!

“Knowledge is power,”

So the wise people say.

Choose the right not the wrong,

Choose the right above all. 

Choose the right not the wrong,

On you consequences fall!

Serving others is key.

Let your light shine so bright.

While you’re helping another,

You’ll be filled with delight. 

Live as you say you believe,

Keep your promises true,

Like our Savior who did

All He promised to do.

One more value to learn

And then you’ll have them all,

One more value to learn,

This is no time to fall!

The temple is your goal,

Pure and worthy you must be.

As a virtuous woman,

Worth more than a ruby.

Chaste in thought and in deed,

Creative power you possess,

Treat yourself as a temple, and

Future lives you will bless.

“Look at you!

Look at you now!” says this cat.

Your Personal Progress all done

I give you a tip of my hat.

A grand path you have trod!

A grand woman you’ll be!

I’ll give you this necklace!

With a shining ruby!

And look!

You get a plaque!

But that is not all!

Oh, no.

That is not all...

To your fellow young women,

You can lend a hand,

Help them walk the path too

And earn all that is grand!

You’ve learned all about prayer,

Taking the sacrament.

You’ve learned of teaching,

Of cooking, and of talent,

Of Atonement and tithing,

Of motherhood and home,

Of standards and blessings,

Of making your gratitude known.

So when your mother comes in

And she says to you,

“Did you have any fun?

Tell me. What did you do?”

I hope that you will know

Exactly what to say.

I hope that you will tell her

All that went on here today.

How you learned and you grew,

And came closer to God,

Prepared to enter His House,

His Son’s path you have trod.

© 2013 Kris Crowther