Magnolia Institute

Practice Being: The Mr Rogers Challenge

Close relationships, especially children, can stir all kinds of emotions. Wonder and joy can be equally present while experiencing anxiety and pain around our enoughness. The shadows of our childhood interactions with parents can loom large when we hold a new life in our arms. 

Late in the film “It’s A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood” Fred Rogers and Lloyd Vogel are sitting in the restaurant sharing a meal. After some discussion about Lloyd’s challenging dynamic with his father, Fred invites Lloyd to join him in an exercise. 

Lloyd shies away from the challenge but Mr Rogers pauses for a moment and Lloyd reticently complies with the gentle words. At the invitation, a hush falls on the whole room and a collective pause. There is a deep sigh from Lloyd and all of a sudden he is PRESENT. 

While we often associate home with a place or collection of people, home really happens first inside of us. We are the starting point of legacy and when we start there our children discover a new place to rest.

This free seven-day challenge will surprise you and move your heart. Mr Roger’s answer is surprisingly simple but if you take one minute every day to practice this challenge you will be amazed at what it uncovers for you and your sense of peace. We love sharing practices that help you to discover more fully the value of presence. Please join us! Just drop your email in the form and we will send you the free Mr Rogers Challenge.