Pocket Inspiration: The Truth About Gathering Hope
Nov 28, 2022
Mister Rogers would be the first person to tell you he wasn’t perfect. In fact, his widow, Joanne, in her foreword to The World According to Mister Rogers, begins with a quote by Bessie Anderson Stanley:
He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much; who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men, and the love of little children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has left the world better than he found it whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem or a rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of Earth’s beauty or failed to express it; who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had; whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction.
Joanne explained,
There were always quotes like that tucked away in Fred’s wallet, next to his neatly folded bills, or in the pages of his daily planner. Perhaps he liked having words of wisdom close to him as if he wanted—or needed—to be constantly reminded of what was important in life. The outside world may have thought his qualities of wisdom and strength came naturally to him, but those close to him knew that he was constantly striving to be the best that he could be. He was as human as the rest of us.[1]
I take tremendous comfort in knowing that Fred Rogers was a collector of wisdom. I’ve filled countless journals with inspirations like the one above. My desk is littered with sticky notes of insights, declarations about my purpose, and reminders of how to be a better teacher, mother, wife, friend, and human being.
Because let’s face it: Some days we aren’t inspired. We’re grumpy, overwhelmed, weary, discouraged, and unsure of the next step to take. We forget who we are; we forget our worth, giftings, and resilience. Surround yourself with reminders. Affirm yourself out loud if needed. Apply those same affirmations to others, seeing them through the eyes of compassion. What would they have been like as a child? What type of an adult is the child in your care becoming without a compass?
Like Fred Rogers, I have the same desire to leave the world a better place than I found it.
There’s no one you couldn’t love if you knew their entire story.
Learn more about the upcoming release here.
[1] Rogers, You Are Special.
