How Shel Silverstein found a way to stay positive after getting drafted.

At 25, Shel Silverstein was drafted by the U.S. Army, put on a military ship and sailed through choppy waters for Tokyo to assist in the Korean War.

Before he became every child’s favorite author, his shipmates knew him as a mighty seasick soldier capable of cheering up those who missed home.

To pass the time, every night he would chew on pencils, draw cartoons and scribble on tiny scraps of paper to capture the humors around him.

One of his shipmates said he had a simple process:

“His technique followed a simple pattern. First, he thought of an object–say, his first sergeant. He’d concentrate until he would come up with 20 or 30 gags on the one subject.”

With that many gags, he had a series of drawings and witty one-liners; soon after, it became his first published book called "Take Ten."

I feel that his origin story highlights a key point within one’s personal growth—finding it in you to stay optimistic in moments that feel dark.

Because—amidst massive layoffs, crypto scams and warfare—if you can find a silver lining, then getting through your day becomes easier.

They say you can only enjoy the sun’s warm rays after you've sat in the cold pouring rain.

I think the real challenge lies in finding joy in being drenched and shivering.

— George