The Mr. Rogers Guide to a Better Life
With PBS rumored to be going away, I'm thinking about a favorite from my childhood
I grew up with Mister Rogers and His TV Neighborhood.
I loved the comfort of knowing that things were ok for about 30 minutes as he visited with puppets called King Friday and Daniel Tiger, and visited the musical instrument store down the street.
His cardigans and shoe swapping reminded me that he liked me just the way I am.
I like YOU too!
So, I wanted to give you some insights from Mr. Rogers that are helpful for our lives in 2025.
The Mr. Rogers Guide to a Better Life
Fred was fully present.
In the book ‘I’m Proud of You’… and in the documentary, Mr. Rogers and Me, they both mention Mr. Roger’s focus.
Not just focus on his show, but his focus on people.
He was fully present with every person he engaged in conversation.
It seemed as if nothing else mattered or existed.
He was asked, “What’s the most important thing to you right now?”
His response was: “The person I’m talking to is the most important person right now.”
Question: Do you give people your full attention (with no devices around)?
He Liked Us “Just the Way We Are”.
His show was a place where kids felt safe.
They knew that they were liked — even loved — for being themselves. He didn’t want to change us, he loved us as he found us in front of the TV each day.
Question: How often are you guilty of trying to change people and not accepting them as they are?
He Believed God For Holy Ground.
In “The Simple Faith of Mr. Rogers”, the author talks about Mr. Rogers praying before for every show.
He’d pray that God would create “holy ground” between the tv set and where the child was sitting. He asked God to minister to young hearts and minds.
When Fred would receive letters about his show, people would mention feeling hope or relief, because of something he said during an episode. He would often go back to rewatch the episode mentioned, and there would be no ‘specific mention’ of the issue from the letter.
A true moving of the Holy Spirit.
Questions: Are you asking God to be present in your life and relationships? Are you expecting God to heal areas that only He can — or are you trying to shoulder all the burden?
Your Feelings Are Ok.
Fred acknowledged that people have feelings — and many times, those feelings aren’t good.
But, instead of stuffing his bad feelings, Fred made songs! He addressed feelings of fear and anger, confusion and identity — and he talked about them thru themes in his shows.
He made it safe to talk about things that seemed forbidden. A phrase he used was “Anything that’s mentionable is manageable”.
If we can talk openly and honestly, without being offended with one another, we can better navigate our lives.
‘Remember that feelings are natural and normal, and that happy times and sad times are part of everyone’s life.’ — Fred Rogers
Question: What are you NOT mentioning that needs to be dealt with honestly and openly in your life?
Deep and Simple vs. Shallow and Complex.
Our Lives get crazy. The Law of 9,388* is a real thing.
(*The Law of 9,388 is this: there always seems to be 9,388 things screaming for our attention!)
Yet, truly important things — are simple.
We need to take time to think - to slow down for deep conversations. “Shallow and complex” happens when you’re moving so fast that you can’t take the time to hit the brakes. To PAUSE to process the events in your life.
Questions: Where can you simplify your life? Where can you take the time to go deep and work on an area that seems complex?
Become a Member of the 143 Club.
Fred Rogers weighed 143 pounds most of his life.
He loved that number because, it takes “one letter to say I and four letters to say love and three letters to say you.”
Fred created a legacy of love.
Question: What creative ways can you say ‘I love you’ to your friends and family today?
Your Past Informs Your Present.
Fred was bullied as a child.
Before beginning his TV career, he hated watching shows where people (young and old) were demeaned. He, in turn, created a show where people were encouraged and inspired— not made fun of.
Many times, we create out of our own life experiences. BUT, if you don’t acknowledge your past, you can’t use those tough moments as stepping stones to a new future.
Question: Have you acknowledged and dealt with your past so it doesn’t hold you back?
So, to sum up:
Be Present with People
Accept people as they are
Look to God to help solve your problems
Its ok to have feelings — and to talk about them
Tell friends and family that you love them
Acknowledge and learn from your past
I believe Mister Rogers’ messages of love and acceptance are even more important today than they were when he was on TV.
I don’t think anyone can grow unless he’s loved exactly as he is now, appreciated for what he is rather than what he will be. — Fred Rogers
Did you ever watch the original Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood?
I’d love to know in the comments below!