Yes, I'll Be Your Neighbor

Yesterday, I saw the documentary "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" with some friends. If you're unfamiliar, it's about the children's program "Mr. Rogers Neighborhood" and it' creator Fred Rogers. I'm a child of the 80's and remember fondly watching this show.

 From the opening scene to it's closure, the entire theater was quiet and you could feel and see everyone was going back to their childhood.

Mr. Rogers message to children was that they were important. He truly was an advocate for young children.  He seemed to validate what they were feeling and addressed issues that most adults shy away from.  He discussed issues from assassinations to school shootings and did it a loving, patient way.  He didn't blame anyone or make kids feel ashamed for what they were feeling at that moment.

Another message he carried throughout the series was self-acceptance.  He wanted kids to be comfortable in their own skin.  He believed that we were all created as originals and we were special because of that.  He had many kids (and adults) with disabilities on his shows and the first thing I noticed when watching the clips was the feeling of authentic acceptance and kindness he showed.  He gave them his full attention and not once used sarcasm about their disabilities towards them.

This has me thinking, what if we all acted this way?  What if we all showed everyone kindness, acceptance and value?   During this day and age, I feel like we've lost the meaning of the adage "Love Thy Neighbor." Why is it so hard to just show kindness like Fred Rogers? Why are we teaching hate instead of teaching love?

Mr. Rogers wasn't naive with what was happening in the world, but he valued everyone, especially children.  Years ago, he received some backlash that he told his audience they were special too much. That hearing this gave us a sense of entitlement.  I'm a product of his show and I know that I don't feel entitled because of the show messages.  He did address this issue in a commencement speech and said when he said we were special it meant we can do anything and it doesn't have to be sensational. Just being us is being special in the world.

Needless to say, the show left me in tears. I miss him. The world today needs someone like him to talk with kids and adults (his formers kids) to let us know that what we are feeling is validated.  There's no shame in feeling scared, sad, angry, or happy.

I'll leave you with the lyrics to one of his songs, "It's You I Like."  I want you all to know that you are valued and validated.

It's You I Like

Written by Fred Rogers | © 1971, Fred M. Rogers

It's you I like,
It's not the things you wear,
It's not the way you do your hair
But it's you I like
The way you are right now,
The way down deep inside you
Not the things that hide you,
Not your toys
They're just beside you.

But it's you I like
Every part of you.
Your skin, your eyes, your feelings
Whether old or new.
I hope that you'll remember
Even when you're feeling blue
That it's you I like,
It's you yourself
It's you.
It's you I like.

 I've said it before that we've all been spoken over by God.  We are all here for a reason and I hope you use your reason to spread love instead of hate.