All I really need to know I learned from bumper stickers and Patch Adams

God bless the people of every nation
Stop continental drift
If you love ’em, hug ’em
Save the world—win valuable prizes
Eracism
Insatiable is not sustainable
Kill your television
Love your mother
Friends don’t let friends drink Starbucks

I was sitting in the audience at Rolling Thunder at the Asheville Civic Center a couple of weeks ago listening to Patch Adams—medical doctor, clown, social activist, and founder and director of the Gesundheit Institute, a holistic medical community that provides free medical care. Patch talked about the intention he had set in place at the age of eighteen to never have a bad day. He talked about going to hospitals in war zones to entertain kids and help them forget, if only for a few moments, their excruciating pain. But the statement that really startled me back to consciousness came near the end of Patch’s talk, when he spoke of the element that was truly essential in any effort to create a better world—love, a concept so simple yet sometimes so challenging. (more…)

Saturday, May 17th, 2003

Mr. Rogers offered kids genuine acceptance and a unique model of manhood

I like you just the way you are.

In a world in which men are seen as superheroes, testosterone-poisoned oafs, new-age sissies or simply clowns, Fred was the embodiment of a different image: a man who used his immense talent and commitment to his craft in service to humankind. He reached out to toddlers with unconditional love that seemed to well up from an inexhaustible source. Our lives are richer for his work, and for his example. He was a true man.

Last week we lost a compassionate and authentic man. Mr. Rogers, born Fred McFeely Rogers, died at the age of seventy-four.

“Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” was first broadcast in 1968 and became the longest running program on public television. Rogers “retired” in 2001 but continued working on projects for children. (more…)

Thursday, May 8th, 2003