I just returned from seeing the movie, A Beautiful
Day in the Neighborhood. Tom Hanks portrays Fred Rogers from the Mister
Rogers’ Neighborhood television show back when I was a child. I used
to watch his show every day.
In his television show, Mr. Rogers would teach children
how to voice their feelings and how to deal with them on an individual basis.
There were a lot of life lessons taught that somehow seem to have been lost
over time.
Since I do not know and have never met Fred Rogers, I can
only write what I am thinking based on Tom Hanks’ portrayal of the man in the
movie.
The one thing that has always impressed me about Fred
Rogers is that what you saw is what he was. Mr. Rogers was not a character that
he played. They were the same person. I wish more people would remember who
they are. Over time, whether due to circumstances or some other reason, we tend
to hide who we are. We begin to wear masks where we protect who we are.
In the movie, he is asked why adults often struggle with
understanding their children. His answer was simple. It is because we as adults
forget our experiences as a child. We forget where we started and expect our
children to behave differently than children should act at their age.
We also do that with others who have gone through similar
experiences as we have. We expect them to respond in a way different than we
have. They do not have the hindsight that we have after going through it, but
we expect them to behave according to our knowledge of the past.
The one major lesson that I think this movie teaches is
this; the most critical person in the world is the one to whom you are
currently speaking.
We live in a world where there are so many distractions.
When someone speaks to us, we do not even divert our eyes from the television
or phone. This is a problem in our society and one that I am trying to change
in my life.
When you are speaking to someone, do not just listen to
their words but understand why they feel and act the way they do. Do not listen
to them while trying to figure out your next response. Take a deep breath and
pay attention. They may be hurting. They may be sacred. Love them for who they
are. Some people may feel like they are broken. You are not broken.
Some people are looked upon as not worthy of your time.
However, every person is essential. Every person has a story. Every person has
feelings.
The disciples of Jesus did not always understand why Jesus
spoke to certain people. The children (Matthew 19:13-15) or the Samaritan woman
(John 4:1-27) were vital in the eyes of Jesus. Unfortunately, his followers did
not feel the same way. The disciples were wrong.
Let’s make people feel like they matter. Put down your phones. Quit hiding from them. Be the real you and love the real them.
