A friend posted the link on facebook. Wow. I haven't seen Mr. Rogers in over a decade, but his voice takes you way back way fast. In the clip, he is asking the government (in 1969) for public television funding and manages to get $20 million in 6 minutes. He does it simply by discussing his philosophy on children to a Congressman--with the same monotone gentility he used for his young audience. His recognition that children aren't feeling anxious or angry about large events, but rather small things like getting haircuts or sibling rivalry--and then showing children "bad" feelings are normal and can be channeled into activities like running--instead of biting or hitting--hit a nerve for me. They obviously resonated with the Congressman, who told Mr. Rogers he was giving him goosebumps. If adults could realize the same is true for them--it's okay--normal, even-- to get frustrated at the basics--making dinner, laundry, etc. The trick is to channel the energy into something positive, be that exercise, art, gardening...
