Shel Silverstein Once Said… There is a Place Where the Sidewalk Ends

Sheldon Allan Silverstein was born on September 25, 1930 and died on May 10, 1999. Shel was an American writer known for his cartoons, songs, and children’s books, some of the first I read and still have.

There are no happy endings. Endings are the saddest part, So just give me a happy middle And a very happy start. – Shel Silverstein

Oh how we were always raised on the fairy tales where there is happily ever after and happy endings but it was Shel that pointed out that ends are usually the saddest part. It’s the stuff in the beginning, and in the middle that make everything worthwhile, and it is good to have peace before the end, but the end is always the saddest part. For me I started reading Shel while in elementary school and I remember it very well and it has stayed with me quite profoundly because his words aren’t just for children but people of all ages. Yes, much to be learned from Shel Silverstein.

Listen to the mustn’ts child, Listen to the don’ts, LIsten to the shouldn’ts, The impossibles, the won’ts, Listen to the never haves. Then listen close to me – Anything can happen child. Anything can be. – Shel Silverstein

I found Shel on my own when searching for something new to read in the library and fell in love with his words. I suppose that’s where my love of writing and reading began. So thank you Shel, I for one did listen to all of those things and do believe that anything can happen if you want and anything can be if you try.

To me, freedom entitles you to do something, not to not do something. – Shel Silverstein

Oh how I wish I could teach this to others. I feel very much that there are so many people in our world who feel that they are entitled… we were given freedom in the United States but that doesn’t mean we were given it to do nothing. We have to do things, we have to in order to make a difference, in order to make things better, in order for change and change isn’t bad.

The Voice There is a voice inside of you. That whispers all day long, “I feel this is right for me, I know that this is wrong.” No teacher, preacher, parent, friend Or wise man can decide What’s right for you – listen to The voice that speaks inside. – Shel Silverstein

I think we’re all guilty of not listening to that little voice inside of ourselves, it’s not always audible, there aren’t always words, sometimes it’s a gut feeling…. that sickness in your stomach, your body reacts to something that it doesn’t want you to do that you’re considering or someone is trying to push you to do. We often will be dismissive of our gut instincts but I have found more and more the older I’ve got that I listen ever so carefully and pay attention to little queues. What does your body tell you?? Have you felt it? Can you tell when it’s warning you? You should listen, I know I do now.