On a recent flight, I was finally able to watch the movie, It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, a movie based on the inspiring work and life of Fred Rogers.  If you haven’t seen the movie, you can decide whether to read this blog before you watch it. If you’ve watched it, I’ll be curious if the insights I share resonate with your perspective of the movie.

As we get into our conversation, I should let you know that I worked for a local PBS station for 10 years. Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood was part of my life for a long time. It wasn’t just my kids who loved it, I did, too. Mr. Rogers was a warm, friendly, gentle man who was non-judgmental, accepting, and encouraging. He was full of compassion, empathy, and love. I mean, seriously, even I questioned whether this was real or just a “brand.” Turns out, it was very real. 

The bottom line is that it’s a beautiful day in every neighborhood…if we choose it to be.

It’s so easy to get discouraged, frustrated, or even mad about things. We criticize the behavior in others. We justify some of our own behaviors because everyone else is doing it. We avoid. We isolate. We could go on and on. I mean, even Mr. Rogers had his moments, as demonstrated with the pounding on the piano in one scene.

But what if we chose the lens of beautiful? Seeing the beauty in people. Beauty in the world. The kind actions. The compassionate actions. What if we ARE that neighbor and we inspire others to be that neighbor?

Friends, it is not about doing more, it’s about BEING more. 

Being is the way we show up in the world. It’s our interactions, mindset, intentions, and so much more! The world needs more of us shining in our brilliance. Imagine the streetlights in this neighborhood!

I invite you to grab a sheet of paper and jot down the “way of being” you have witnessed in either Mr. Rogers or others in your life that reflect the type of person you want to see in the world. Look over the list. What stands out to you? What do you notice on that list that already represents the way YOU show up in the world? What are some traits that you know you have in yourself, but could do a better job exhibiting? Pick one way that you would like to augment your own neighborhood. Set an intention to keep focused on bringing this into your daily way of being. Capture the impact.

Friends, it is a beautiful day in ALL our neighborhoods. The streets are just calling for more of US! One way we can honor the work Fred Rogers brought into the world is by bringing our best brilliance to our neighborhoods.

Would you be mine? Could you be mine? Won’t you be…my neighbor? I’m certainly ready and willing to be yours.

Keep SHINING in Your Brilliance!