Mr. Rogers’ “Garden of Your Mind” (or What I Learned in Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood)

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I heard this song on the radio yesterday while I was driving my daughter to school and almost had to pull over because I wanted to listen so intently. My daughter, who has loved seeing a few Mr. Rogers videos but who didn't “grow up on” Mr. Roger's Neighborhood like I did, couldn't figure out why I found this song so intriguing.

Of course, I'm dazzled by the technical wizardry it took to put this video together, but what moves me about it is that it has distilled Mr. Rogers Neighborhood down to its very essence in a few short quotes. This also happens to be exactly what I'm trying to teach my 5-year-old daughter right now:

“Did you ever grow anything in the garden of your mind? You can grow ideas in the garden of your mind. All you have to do is think and they'll grow.”

Don't worry about what others think – just be creative, curious, and imaginative.

It's okay to be alone sometimes. In fact, sometimes it's preferable to just be alone with your thoughts. That's when you'll come up with your best ideas.

 

This video fills me with great saudade. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

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3 Comments

  1. Love your post. I’ve been trying to find the right words to impart some of life’s great wisdoms on my young girls. This is it. The beauty and simplicity of Mr. R’s message is poetic.

  2. I love Mr. Rogers! I was wondering if you knew where his quote of “All you have to do this think..and they grow” came from? I am doing a research project on Mr. Rogers and I need the specific episode in which it came from.

    1. I’m sorry – I don’t know off the top of my head! I could research it, but likely would only come up with what you yourself have already uncovered.

      Good luck with the project! 🙂

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