"So my takeaway from Fred Rogers is to be authentic. Even if not as completely as him, make sure in whatever you do, there is some aspect of your true self in i

"So my takeaway from Fred Rogers is to be authentic. Even if not as completely as him, make sure in whatever you do, there is some aspect of your true self in it. It resonates with people, and it probably feels good for you, too." I think this is a fantastic point, especially at a time where it seems like just about everybody has an angle and an agenda. When you're cynical and you're presented with somebody who seems authentic and genuine, you start looking for the "tells" and the weasel words...the cracks in the smiley-face veneer. The longer one has to look for them, the more astonishing the person seems to be (and, hopefully, turns out to be). I think the other captivating aspect of Fred Rogers is that he seemed truly concerned about individuals, and that was reflected in his ability to communicate. He didn't lump people into demographic groups, or political tribes, or any other types of social categorization that seems the standard nowadays. I'm sure he recognized such efforts, but they didn't matter when it came to making a simple human connection. I think this interest and drive to connect with people is equally as important as his authenticity. A Ron Swanson-type person could be authentic and admirable, but nowhere near as empathetic. By the same token, someone could be as empathetic, but if they were inconsistent they wouldn't be as admirable. Fred Rogers was a rare cat indeed, at least in terms of those who were/are in the media. As someone who feels nowhere near as consistent or empathetic, my respect for him has skyrocketed since having children.