Skip to main content

Just the Way You Are

In this episode - Just the Way You Are . . .

“Childhood lies at the very heart of who we are and who we become.” Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers)

What are you feeling this New Year 2021? Who are you? Do you feel hopeful, joyful, optimistic, or with the recent news events are you cynical, feeling scared, and ill-prepared for what’s to come?”

That’s OK, “I like you just the way you are.” - Mr. Rogers

“It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood, A beautiful day for a neighbor . . .”

I’ll admit in 1969 whenever I heard that song I would jump up from the couch and change the channel on the television. In my kid world, there were more important things to watch on television . . . Batman, Superman, Gilligan’s Island, I Dream of Jeannie, Bonanza, The Rifleman, to name a few.

Watch Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, that’s a little kids show - “No way, I’m too old for that.” Huh, was I really?

However, until recently, while recording poems and stories for this Podcast I began to wonder, “What type of stories DO children like?”

Honestly, not having raised children myself, I had no idea. 

Stories in this turbulent world we live in are confusing to adults. I can only imagine what little children think. And how they are affected.

For example, “Breaking News” . . . the COVID pandemic has taken over 372,000 lives, protests continue to divide our nation. The President is lying. It’s everywhere, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and of course television. The most powerful influencer.

Sadly, people only share stories of friends, classmates, and family that have died. Why? That’s demoralizing. And after the continued bombardment of such news, you simply lose any empathy (callused) you may have felt for those stories.

How do little children respond to all this? I’m sure they are scared and confused. Just as I was watching and listening to TV actors from the 1960s like Boris Karloff in the roles they portrayed.

So, I asked a neighbor, “What do your kids like, what do read to them?” To my amazement, this young family's favorite children's story on video was - “The Grinch.”

My first thought was . . . really? The Grinch? What a scary story. As a young child, the Grinch was a television animated feature that always frightened me. Why? Because of the terrifying voice of Boris Karloff. What a frighting man he was. He sounded evil.

You see, books were not something we had growing up. It was the profound impact of television that shaped my fears, my dreams, and my values.

Through Mr. Rogers though we learned that - “Feelings are our shared common ground.” When a loving parent or neighbor reads aloud to children, stories transport these children to the land of make-believe. This in turn creates a loving bond between the parent and their children.

We had never read the Dr. Seuss book, How the Grinch Stole Christmas. So, I did what I thought best, bought the book and began reading it into the microphone.

You may have heard the Podcast episode - The Grinch. 

Oh, what fun we had. It was pure delight, the fun of pretending to read to your child. The story was not scary at all. I discovered it was a story of redemption, hope, and pure joy!

So, as we move into this New Year I’m asking, “Please,  won’t you be my neighbor?” Let’s share the stories that have made a difference in your life for the better.

You will feel better, just the way you are.

If you enjoy our weekly visits, please share them with a friend.

This is Patrick Ball, thanks for listening. See you in the next episode.

Labels:

Comments

Anonymous said…
C6-5
January 9, 2021 at 12:14 PM
Post a Comment

Most Popular of All Time

The Art of the Annoying Question

In this episode, why "Cool" is the Enemy of Growth Last night, Lori and I joined our friends (team #1) in a professional kitchen at Sur La Table in Carlsbad, CA., for a "Date Night in Southern Italy." On the menu: Steak Tagliata, Sautéed Shrimp with Fried Capers, and handmade Garganelli. The experience was amazing, delectable food and an exceptional highlight: the Amalfi Lemon Gelato, complemented by the barrage of questions. When I’m with someone like Chef Gaetano, who’s incredibly patient, I tend to ask a lot of questions quickly. “Why use a fork to whisk the eggs and not a whisker?” “What exactly is the chemical transformation of a fried caper?” “If I roll this Garganelli a half-inch wider, does the sauce-to-pasta ratio collapse?” I could see the look on a few other students' faces: Is this guy for real? Just eat the shrimp, Patrick. But here’s the wisdom I’ve gathered after nearly six decades of being the annoying guy in the front row: The quality of your l...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Miller Effect

In this episode - The Miller Effect . . . The sun hung high in the sky, casting shadows across the desolate landscape of Huron, California. Dr. Vo, a brilliant yet witty electrical engineer, stood before the main breaker box of a massive 1.4 MW-DC solar array that had confounded everyone who had dared to diagnose its persistent issue. It had been six long months of head-scratching and ten failed attempts by others before the desperate call came into Dr. Vo's office. As the sun's rays bathed the vast array in an orange glow, Dr. Vo stepped up to the Main breaker box, his sharp eyes shaded by his green Cenergy cap. He wore his North Face jacket that billowed in the light breeze, and his presence exuded an air of mystery and intrigue that was as pervasive as the problem at hand. The solar array was a colossal assemblage of panels, wires, and inverters, but the main breaker kept tripping, sending the entire operation into chaos. The workers at the site were on edge, muttering, “We’...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Solar Time

In this episode - In Solar Time . . . We are thrilled to present a unique surprise for this week's podcast. We have composed a special tribute to Cenergy's V-Team in the form of original lyrics to the iconic Beatles song "When I'm 64".   One of Cenergy’s engineering team members is Vietnam’s Doan Vo (Dr. Vo). Dr. Vo - as we call him - is the team lead for Cenergy’s Electrical Engineering Operations. We want to thank the V-Team for their unwavering commitment and assistance to the US team. Your diligent efforts are truly appreciated. In Solar Time When I get older, losing my mind many years from now. Will you still be estimating power lines? Calculating modules in Solar time. If I'd been shocked at quarter to four would you close the door (circuit)?   Will you still teach me? Will you still reach me? When I'm eighty-four. You'll be older too. And if you say the word I could just phone you. I could be handy, changing the fuse. When your power’s gone. Cal...
Post a Comment
Read more

Sierra Reflections 2011

Wrapped in the cozy warmth of a down bag I’m jolted awake from a deep slumber - nature calls. The silence is shattered by the rustle of my sleeping bag. The sweet aroma of the mountain fills the air, and that ever-present biting crisp air on your cheeks!  The zipper moans as you free yourself, then the struggle to find your wool sweater, pants, and shoes to stumble into the brisk morning air. Another zipper whines as you crawl to escape the protection of your mountain shelter. Quietly . . .  do not disturb  is the invisible sign worn by your fellow campers. Photo: Robert Weldon Darkness surrounds you, it's early morning, late summer. It’s tranquil, except for the soft gurgle of the trout stream that lulled you to sleep the night before.  Finally - clear weather, the rains have stopped; millions of stars twinkle like tiny sparkling diamonds against a pitch-black sky. Orion, the hunter is clearly visible in the eastern sky; careful inspection you can see ...
Post a Comment
Read more