by Ethel Canty Bothuel
Do you remember this phrase from the song that Fred Rogers sang to introduce his successful TV show, “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood”? This children’s show aired on PBS from 1968 to 2001. It taught kindness, good manners, basic things that children should know, interesting things in science and so much more. Fred Rogers taught children to love themselves and others and even addressed some of the fears that children experienced. When revisiting “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” (I did on YouTube), some of the ideas of his show are useful not only to children but to adults as well. If it is true that we reap what we sow, then even with our busy lives, we can take some time to sow kindness to the people who live in our neighborhood. Kindness matters!
With so much division all around us today—in education, politics, the secular and the sacred, it’s time to have a “kindness movement.” Let’s spread kindness everywhere starting in our own neighborhoods. In our suburban communities, our high-rise apartment homes, our condos, and wherever our neighborhoods happen to be, show some kindness right where you live. Be the one who makes your neighborhood a part of the kindness movement. So if we begin where we are, in our neighborhoods, perhaps we can realize and help others to realize that kindness matters!
A smile. A “hello and have a nice day.” An invite for tea or lemonade. A “Hi, my name is … and I live across the street. Just wanted to let you know that I’m glad to be your neighbor.” Give away your kindness to others and very likely you will receive kindness in return. It is refreshing to experience a good neighbor’s kindness when you arrive at home, pull into your driveway or get into your high-rise elevator and see a friendly neighbor who says “hello hope you’re having a good day.”
As I write this blog from my new apartment that I moved into about five months ago, I wonder if I’ve passed the good neighbor test. We have exchanged names, but everyone seems so busy. One neighbor is a stay-at-home Mom who takes care of the kids and the dog while her husband works, and the rest of us are out and about during the day. One is a physician and the other travels extensively. So I’m thinking about how I can begin the “kindness movement” in my neighborhood. How can I be a good neighbor in the midst of my busyness? Hmmm, I think I’ll bake a batch of cookies, show up at their door, and share it with them. Maybe they will sense I am asking that question in Mister Rogers’ song: “Won’t you be my neighbor?”