60 SECONDS OF CHANCES
LETTER #7
Dear Susan,
The idea of being successful solely to fill a bank account isn’t the fuel that will keep the midnight oil burning. It is not what will persist in exhaustion or cultivate good craftsmanship in areas of life, writing, drawing, business, or in relationships. I want to be successful. I want to be successful in telling stories well. I want to successfully remind the world that who we are and how we dream matters — and what we do with it matters even more. Indeed, success is nothing without purpose.
There is a reason why Seuss didn’t write just one book. There was more to tell. There were moments to be shared, principles to be taught. It couldn’t all fit into one book, nor did it need to. There is always room on the bookshelf for something new, for a fresh perspective or the reiterating of courage, ideas the world will always need to hear and be reminded of. There is a reason why writers are still writing today — there is more to tell. With new generations, new ideas, new discoveries, new trends, there will always be a story to tell. Always something to say.
I have read hundreds of books ranging from novels to Children’s Literary Classics by authors such as Margaret Wise Brown, A. A. Milne, Beatrix Potter, Lewis Carroll, and of course Seuss. Their stories erase time with their captivating illustrations and timeless wisdom woven with wonder. There is a reason why their stories inspire. They cut through culture and traditions to the core of who we are. They explore and portray ideas that matter — courage, faith, joy, creativity. There is a reason why I am pursuing a career among Children’s Books — there is more to be said. More stories to be told, more Wonderlands to be found. I am not intimidated by what they have written or feel that it makes my imagination irrelevant. I know that who I am and how I dream matters, and what I do with it matters even more. I have stories to tell that no one else can.
There is a reason why I want this internship with Seuss Enterprises — there is more to learn. There are opportunities to learn with this company that cannot be found or offered anywhere else in the entire world. The fact that Seuss Enterprises has not yet offered an internship does not make my ambition irrelevant. Just as there are always new stories to tell, there are always new opportunities to be discovered. This is a new opportunity for both myself and Seuss Enterprises. An opportunity for me to grow through hands-on experience and an opportunity for this Enterprise to play a role in training a capable, diligent intern in the process of Licensing and Marketing within the publishing world.
What story will you choose to tell? Will you join with me to grasp this opportunity that is at our fingertips?
This is the last letter I wrote to Susan Brandt. Just two days after sending it, I received a phone call from San Diego, California, from none other than Susan herself. The phone call lasted 60 seconds. In 60 seconds what I have spent weeks and months weaving was undone. I believe that my letters were full of the spirit, whimsy and bravery of Seuss himself. Regardless, Susan made clear to me that Seuss Enterprises will not be offering an internship. Seuss Enterprises desires to cultivate the unique creativity found in young, passionate artists, and despite how poorly this situation was handled on behalf of Seuss Enterprises, I continue to wholeheartedly support Seuss Enterprises and its work. I wish Susan and Seuss Enterprises nothing but the best.
The phone call lasted a total of 60 seconds before the Marketing Director of Seuss Enterprises hung up.
60 seconds closed a door, but 60 seconds even when paired with a 'no' does not make my ambitions irrelevant. I had no control over that minute, but the 60 seconds after? Those were all mine. The 60 seconds, the hours, the days, the time following one rejection is all mine. It is not dictated by a ‘no’. It is not dictated by those who don’t dream as I do.
I wanted an internship with Seuss Enterprises. I wanted to challenge myself and be placed in an environment to learn new things (Not to mention doing it surrounded by all things Seuss!). I did not get the internship…. And the day after, I woke up and went back to my illustrations, painting like I do every day; I kept writing my story. A few days later I applied for another internship in San Diego. (For which I already have an interview for in July!)
I was looking to learn something new and I did just that. I learned how to write 7 letters full of persistence and courage. I challenged my own writing skill by pursuing this endeavor. I set out to be an intern at Seuss Enterprises; however that door has closed for now. It was a dream… and I am a dreamer. There are plenty of more dreams out there for me — and for you too. It is never too late or too much.
There are 86,400 seconds in a day and a dream for every 60. A yes or maybe a no. And maybe a day can’t be calculated by the mere seconds it holds. Maybe it’s so much more than that, and maybe we are too. Maybe life is so much more about what we do, than about what has happened.
So, don't give up! Don't be discouraged! In the words of Seuss,
"If things start happening, don't worry, don't stew. Just go right along and you'll start happening too."