Friday- The Application of Mr Rogers' Legacy:
I have been challenged to write a column about applying Mr Rogers' principles to everyday life and this week I am tasked with talking humility.
This is an interesting subject to me as I started life in a religion that asked its members to be very humble. Mr Rogers, as we well know, was an ordained minister. It is reported on his deathbed, he asked if he was a sheep - referencing the parable where Jesus separated the useful sheep from the useless goats. Certainly we see Mr Rogers as trying to be as true as possible to his christian ideal of loving your neighbor. He endeavored to be inclusive to all people and puppets, and showed respect to everyone’s feelings. He was soft spoken, and often interviewed the interviewer more than the reverse. I doubt any of us could argue that Mr Rogers didn’t live up to his ideal of humility, but after several internet searches to find material on this subject, I’m not sure we did.
Many of us grew up with Mr Rogers as a surrogate parent - sometimes the only adult that would listen to us, but I think Mr Rogers would be disgusted with our behavior at not listening to others now. Over and over again, I found articles commenting on Mr Rogers and the current state of American politics. I saw his words and lessons twisted to “prove” that this side or that side was fundamentally wrong. Worse yet, most of these articles then digressed into calling the other side names. How is that loving our neighbor? Mr Rogers did participate in politics, and the best example is his testimony before a senate hearing on funding PBS in 1969. Mr Rogers came before a blustery individual and used his innate calm and humility to simply be himself and testify for the needs of the children. I believe this is what we need to remember of Mr Rogers - more is accomplished with calm reason and exchange, than yelling and threats. If we approach a discussion with humbleness towards the other, we will show both sides the respect that is deserving. We should be humble - because we are on this earth, and we might be the only people in the universe - certainly it seems silly to not listen and speak with each other. We may find we are arguing over trivial things, but we will only figure that out if we take the time to get to know our neighbors.
I'll fill up the kiddie pool, come stick your feet in.
What do you think? Is there is room in this world for the kind of humility Mr Rogers showed us at the senate hearing? Do you think that kind of humility is old fashioned and we need something new? Please join the discussion below! Thank you, neighbor!
Posted Oct 11, 2019, 4:33 AM UTC
———————- I love your comments on the senate hearing, and whether or not we have room this day and age. i would dispute those who would scorn those who are all about “number one.” If anyone has seen the video for “bittersweet symphony,” this man is determined to make it through to the his goal, even though people ignore him and he makes his his own path.
Mr Rogers wasn’t through the path, but that wasn’t his way, I think. But the lyrics, “a bittersweet symphony, that’s life.” As you said, I fear that Mr Rogers was becoming aware of his mortality. He didn’t think he could do anything in the 9/11 speech, but he gave the infamous advice about the “look for the helpers.”
In this speech, nervous quaking like an aspen leaf, Mr Rogers called in his ability to speak with children. He told them about the helpers, and how to look and be one. Thats’s humility.
Do a good deed, when you can.. That’s humility. -–__________
Thank you so much for writing this column, Mielelf. Another next Friday??
I loved his advice about looking for the helpers, I know I've mentioned that before, it's just such a good idea. I know when events in the world seem too big, I'm still taking that advice and then, really internalizing that I too, could be a helper. Then I try if I'm able.
Great insight in how Mr Rogers was probably feeling his own mortality, especially around 9/11. I think a lot of people were pretty shocked around that time. But as you said, even though he was clearly distressed, he did what he did best. I think I can safely say, Mr Rogers was clearly a good sheep and not a silly donkey. Thanks for sharing!