45 of #100daychallenge: mister rogers

I just watched the Mister Rogers documentary and I am reminded of the good that one person can do and be for so many others.

One of the things that I feel inspired by is his relationship with 143 or I love you. He weighed 143 for many many years. It is stunning and brilliant that he figured out his own equation to literally be the embodiment of love! It seemed like his own way of confirming his own brilliance and purpose.

It was a different experience observing Mister Rogers as an adult and realizing the social and political issues and realities he addressed. As a child, I had no idea how progressive Mr. Rogers was, because he showed love for all people. He was a real person who interacted with other people, especially children, in very real ways. Even though, I think I understood that he was there to teach good things, I knew that what he was doing was different. Sometimes, I think I was confused by Mister Rogers, because there really was no one like him. I remember noticing that everything was very slow with Mister Rogers, it always seemed like the longest show and that was very different. I also remember having curiosity about what would happen each time I watched. Sure, there was a consistent structure, but I never knew what to expect.

I am still so enthralled by 143 and that perhaps, he had created or discovered his own equation to how he could be the perfect embodiment of love. Or, his own way of reminding himself that he already was the perfect embodiment of love. The weight of love on earth in human terms. It's really beautiful and has that childlike brilliance. Something so simple and obvious that most people don't see or consider. Something that may or may not have any meaning to anyone else or in reality, but a child believes in what feeds their sense of self and has no interest in negotiation, because someone else says so.

Fred Rogers demonstrated that we can be loving and kind to ourselves and each other always. He was living proof that it is possible and serves our purpose individually and collectively. I felt sad listening to each person talk about how some people chose to criticize and discriminate against him, because it was unbelievable and/or unacceptable that a man would be sensitive, kind and loving. There was no one to compare him to, to positively validate him.

This is something I get fiery about, because we rely on outside validation, comparison and likeness all the time. We've lost our depth, we aren't willing to take the time to think or feel or imagine. We like concepts, but we demand data and proof in order to believe. We no longer do our own research. We do not believe in each other indefinitely, because we don't take time to know one another. We know about each other. About is relatively vague. Think about it in terms of measurement and whether or not "about" inspires confidence.

I think that if I can listen to and look at myself and others the way Fred Rogers listens to and looks at people, that will be a different experience. I always thought it was my role and my goal to make people feel more comfortable, but I'll be okay if I make some people uncomfortable similar to the way Fred Rogers did. More and more, I am realizing it's uncomfortable is where comfortable begins.

I hope you'll find time to watch the documentary and notice what resonates with you.

Follow @blueprintwellness.life to see my #writing #alltheloveandnoexcuses #100daychallenge unfold.

Brightly,

Laura

L -->R The Peppin family tiger, younger brother Nick and me, on my first day of half-day Kindergarten.
We watched Mister Rogers in the afternoon.