This is part three of our series on how to discover and nurture your voice.
In the first two parts – which you can read here and here – it’s all about figuring out how to develop a better relationship with your truth.
This week…oh, we’re going to take this in a different direction. This week, we’re going to get neighborly.
What or who inspires you?
Keep this in mind, the definition of inspiration is literally to breathe life into something. In other words, what gives you life?
Honestly, the most inspirational person I know looks at me in the mirror every day. I mean, it’s true. I have inspired myself (with a ton of support) to totally level up my life lately. And I’m just getting started.
Mister Rogers’s Neighborhood bucked the trend of kids shows being all flash and no substance. He spoke directly to preschoolers with intelligence, courage, and the warm demeanor of a man of deep conviction and faith.
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This week, let’s talk about one of the biggest inspirations that I had as a child. And someone who inspires me even now more than he did when I was a child. Especially reflecting on this person with adult eyes.
It’s time to talk about the biggest badass I have ever seen in the media. And for my money, one of the biggest badasses in the history of American Culture.
To do that, let’s go back to 1969. This was the first year of the Richard Nixon administration, and tensions in the United States couldn’t be higher.
Admittedly, the USA of 2018 may argue with that, but I digress.
Senator John Pastore of Rhode Island was the chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Communications. And part of their budget proposal was a drastic cut to the funding of PBS (Public Broadcasting Service.) The proposal was to cut funding from $20 million to $9 million.
Senator Pastore was seen as antagonistic and sarcastic at times. He was fed up with the witnesses who read prepared statements in lieu of actual testimony.
The final witness at this committee hearing was the creator and host of an upstart children’s show that had been on the air in its then current form for less than a year. It was produced in Pittsburgh – not exactly a TV creation hotbed.
The host was a tall, slender man who wore a simple black suit with a conservative red tie. And he spoke with the gentle demeanor of a man of deep conviction and faith.
The host had a prepared statement he intended to read. But instead he chose to speak from the heart. And did so for the next six minutes.
After he was finished speaking, the committee room fell silent. A gobsmacked Senator Pastore leaned back in his chair and simply said “looks like you just got your $20 million.”
The host of that upstart children’s TV show was the American badass named Fred Rogers.
For 31 years, Mr. Rogers was the chief writer, host, performer, and puppeteer on one of the gutsiest TV shows ever made. And he did it all with the gentle demeanor of a man who just wanted to live his life’s purpose of connection.
Hang on…a life’s purpose of connection. Kinda sounds like me. {smiley face emoji}
I recently watched the stunning and magical documentary on the life of Fred Rogers called Won’t You Be My Neighbor? If this movie doesn’t rack up at the Oscars, I’ll eat the hat I never wear.
Mister Rogers’s Neighborhood bucked the trend of kids shows being all flash and no substance. He spoke directly to preschoolers with intelligence, courage, and the warm demeanor of a man of deep conviction and faith. And I truly forgot how much that show helped to shape a young Ryan. Prince Ryan truly admired that man.
But the film helped me as an adult see just how special he really was. And how much he simply didn’t give a flying fuck about what people thought of him.
Consider this. The year was 1968. The country was as divided as it’s ever been (don’t look at me like that 2018 USA.) America was in a war in Southeast Asia that nobody wanted a part of.
And within a span of five years, the president of the United States was assassinated. And his brother – who himself was running for president at the time – was also murdered.
The show hadn’t been on the air but for a few months when Bobby Kennedy was gunned down on national TV.
Meanwhile in the Neighborhood, there’s a scene with an actress playing opposite a tiger sock puppet. In a high-pitched kid’s voice (voiced by Rogers) Daniel Striped Tiger asked, “What does assassination mean?”
I want you to be with this for a moment. There’s a YouTube clip of this very scene. It’s grainy and appears to be a black and white kinescope. But it’s amazingly powerful!
This is 1968. This isn’t exactly the days of Dora the Explorer here. This was a far different time in TV.
By the way, when you watch the documentary (and why you haven’t watched it yet is beyond me) there’s a scene between that same puppet and the actress Betty Aberlin (the same actress from the assassination scene) that turned into a duet. And this song had me in the fetal position I was crying so hard. Because both Prince Ryan and King Ryan related to it so deeply.
On his show, Rogers used simple but powerful metaphors to communicate heavy topics.
Through interviews with cast members, crew members, Rogers’ friends and family, and his widow Joann – Neighbor paints the picture of a complicated and complex man who lived his life for one purpose. In the words of Jesus of Nazareth “love thy neighbor as thyself.”
Speaking of Jesus, I’ve mentioned several times in this piece Rogers’ faith. Rogers was an ordained Presbyterian Minister. And in many ways, he used his show as his ministry.
But I sure don’t remember any religious references as I was watching his show as a kid.
I just remember that trolley, the puppets, and the amazing songs and the lessons I still use to this day.
I was afraid that this movie was going to portray Rogers in a light where he’s seen as perfect and flawless. There’s one scene of an apparent lack of acceptance for LGBT people. But even that ended up turning into a stunning lesson on love that left me gobsmacked.
Mr. Rogers inspired me as a child, and he inspires me even more as an adult.
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After watching Won’t You Be My Neighbor I left that theater emotionally drained, but amazingly inspired. I left that place inspired to live my life, and to love myself and my neighbors, on a deeper level than ever before.
What inspires you? 2018 Ryan can say this just as 1982 Ryan could say this.
Mr. Rogers inspired me as a child, and he inspires me even more as an adult. Especially after watching that film as I’m able to see his motives with adult eyes.
It’s not a perfect film. I wish they delved a little deeper into his childhood and how he ended up the way he did.
Here are my two biggest takeaways from watching that film. Y’know, other than the fact that if he could be reincarnated for modern days, he’s much needed.
- There are as many ways to be a man as there are men. And Fred Rogers was one of the manliest men I could possibly think of. Despite what Tom Snyder wanted to insinuate on his show back in the day. (Side note, this clip appears in the movie and I wanted to throw my popcorn at the screen.)
- Being kind, loving, and gentle – that’s one amazing legacy to be with. He embodied the spirit of 143. (Watch the movie! I’ll never see the number 143 the same way again.)
So, what inspires you? I’d love to know.
Email me at [email protected] or leave a comment on this article.
And if you want to get started on owning your voice in the world (as Mr. Rogers sure did), I’d love to support you through that. Send an email to that same address so we can arrange a sample coaching session.
Also, stay tuned. I’ve got a beautiful offering that I’m going to announce very soon about how to own your voice.
Now, to next week’s discussion question. In the spirit of 143 and discovering and nurturing your voice, here’s the question:
What or who do you love?
I’m not necessarily speaking in the romantic sense. But I’m speaking about the people, things, or ideas that make your heart flutter.
That’s next week. Start using your voices, Kings! And go love your neighbors…I’m just saying.
And watch Won’t You Be My Neighbor! And bring tissues. Y’know…all the tissues.