Recently, I was at the movies and noticed a poster promoting an upcoming documentary on the life of Mr. Rogers. Immediately, I was transported back to my childhood and let the wave of nostalgia take me back to a simpler time when we could all escape our daily troubles in our favorite neighborhood. An article from NYU sums up why now is the perfect time to reminisce on this beloved classic. During a time in which the film and TV industry is plagued by issues of abuse of power, especialy in sexual assualt cases, the mere concept of Mr. Rogers, the host of the long running children’s television show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” seems almost alien. It feels unbelievable that at one point, there was someone so genuinely compassionate, who sincerely and earnestly just wanted to use television to help kids grow and learn.
Fred Rogers, the man behind Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood, dedicated his life to serving children. His relentless commitment to all that is best in people led to an astonishing array of honors, from induction into the Television Hall of Fame to The Presidential Medal of Freedom. Fred Rogers was a TV pioneer and a PBS icon. But his impact has gone far beyond the television screen. His legacy is still felt today in the hearts and minds of children, families, and professionals who continue to be nurtured and inspired by his timeless wisdom.
Whether you’re five or 55, there’s no doubt that the wisdom and unconditional kindness behind Mr. Roger’s message will still resonate with you today. On that note, here are a few of Mr. Roger’s most memorable quotes and life lessons.
- The importance of empathy. “We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It’s easy to say, ‘It’s not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.’ Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes.”
- The importance of love. “You know, I think everybody longs to be loved, and longs to know that he or she is lovable. And, consequently, the greatest thing that we can do is to help somebody know that they’re loved and capable of loving.”
- The importance of forgiveness. “Forgiveness is a strange thing. It can sometimes be easier to forgive our enemies than our friends. It can be hardest of all to forgive people we love. Like all of life’s important coping skills, the ability to forgive and the capacity to let go of resentments most likely take root very early in our lives.”
- The importance of self-reflection. “Discovering the truth about ourselves is a lifetime’s work, but it’s worth the effort.”
- The importance of knowing your self-worth. “If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person.”
