With all the craziness in the world right now, I feel like featuring a book that has uplifted me and inspired me to be a kinder person; kinder my friends, family, those who I may not always get along with, and myself. This book of quotes and anecdotes is from one of my heroes, Fred Rogers.
"The World According to Mister Rogers: Important Things to Remember" is one of those books that I love to flip back through, not only when I'm sad, but also when I'm in a mood to improve myself.
Here is the official blurb from Goodreads:
There are few personalities who evoke such universal feelings of warmth as Fred Rogers. An enduring presence in American homes for over 30 years, his plainspoken wisdom continues to guide and comfort many. The World According to Mister Rogers distills the legacy and singular worldview of this beloved American figure. An inspiring collection of stories, anecdotes, and insights--with sections devoted to love, friendship, respect, individuality, and honesty, The World According to Mister Rogers reminds us that there is much more in life that unites us than divides us. Culled from Fred Rogers' speeches, program transcripts, books, letters, and interviews, along with some of his never-before-published writings, The World According to Mister Rogers is a testament to the legacy of a man who served and continues to serve as a role model to millions.
I love Mr. Rogers. As a child, I adored his show. I loved the pacing, the way he would talk to me, and the way he would acknowledge my feelings. He talked about such important things that all kids--and adults--need to hear. As an adult, I've come to value his insights and I admire his attitude toward others. I want to be like him when I grow up. (You know, if I ever do grow up :)
How can you NOT love him?
For such a small book, "The World According to Mister Rogers" packs in so many great insights. I want to share a couple of my favorites.
The first is about making your dreams come true. Here's the quote from Mr. Rogers:
"What makes the difference between wishing and realizing our wishes? Lots of things, and it make take months or years for a wish to come true, but it's far more likely to happen when you care so much about a wish that you'll do all you can to make it happen."
This is a sentiment I completely agree with! I have often been asked variations of the question, "How did you become a published author?" My response has been some variation of this: "I didn't give up. I wished on birthday candles and the first star each night, but I also sat down and wrote a book. I revised that book. I shared that book. I kept sharing it, even when I was rejected. I kept writing. I kept wishing, until one day, it happened. And that's how I continue to achieve my dreams."
The second and final thought I want to share from Mr. Rogers is about the importance of self care. Here is the short story he shares:
"It's important to know when we need to stop, reflect, and receive. In our competitive world, that might be called a waste of time. I've learned that those times can be the preamble to periods of enormous growth. Recently, I declared a day to be alone with myself. I took a long drive and played a tape. When I got to the mountains, I read and prayed and listened and slept. In fact, I can't remember having a calmer sleep in a long, long time. The next day I went back to work and did more than I usually get done in three days."
It's so easy to get caught up in everything we need to do, everyone else we need to take care of, that we forget to take care of ourselves. I find it easiest to find small, daily ways to slow down, be mindful, and take a moment for myself. This can be as simple as going through my morning or bedtime routine with a little more mindfulness, good music, and positive self-thoughts. But I also love to occasionally do what Mr. Rogers suggested: dedicate a day (or afternoon, or morning, or evening) to spend time with yourself. Get reacquainted. Realign your goals. Re-find your center.
I hope these thoughts from Mr. Rogers help you as much as they help me. And remember, you are the only person in the world who is just like you. You are important. You matter. And you can help others know that they matter by the way you treat them. Kindness is never a mistake.
Thanks for reading!