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====== 2001 Commencement Speech by TV Personality, | ====== 2001 Commencement Speech by TV Personality, | ||
- | Words of Wisdom | + | Words of Wisdom |
- | By FRED ROGERS, TV's Mr. Rogers | + | By FRED ROGERS, TV's Mr. Rogers |
- | Marquette University - May 20, 2001 | + | Marquette University - May 20, 2001 \\ |
- | For a long time, I wondered why I felt like bowing when people showed their appreciation for the work that I've been privileged to do. What I've come to understand is that we who bow are probably - whether we know it or not -acknowledging the presence of the eternal: we're bowing to the eternal in our neighbor. You see, I believe that appreciation is a holy thing, that when we look for what's best in the person we happen to be with at the moment, we're doing what God does. So, in loving and appreciating our neighbor, we're participating in something truly sacred. Thank you for your warm welcome. Some of you I've known for just a little while. | + | |
- | mentally disabled. All nine of them assembled at the starting line; and, at the sound of the gun they took off - but one little boy stumbled and fell and hurt his knee and began to cry. The other eight children heard the boy crying. They slowed down, turned around, saw the boy and ran back to him - every one of them ran back to him. One little girl with Down Syndrome bent down and kissed the boy and said, "This will make it better." | + | For a long time, I wondered why I felt like bowing when people showed their appreciation for the work that I've been privileged to do. What I've come to understand is that we who bow are probably - whether we know it or not -acknowledging the presence of the eternal: we're bowing to the eternal in our neighbor. You see, I believe that appreciation is a holy thing, that when we look for what's best in the person we happen to be with at the moment, we're doing what God does. So, in loving and appreciating our neighbor, we're participating in something truly sacred. Thank you for your warm welcome. Some of you I've known for just a little while. |
+ | |||
+ | I'm mindful of the variety of feelings - the variety of blessings - which you bring to this moment, and I'm very grateful to be with you. Early in the morning of every work day, before I even get to my office, I see someone who influences me greatly. This person has a job, which many people might consider unglamorous and tediously mundane. He's the locker room attendant in Pittsburgh where I swim each day. His name is Jeff. We recently celebrated Jeff's 25th anniversary working at the pool - 25 years cleaning sinks and sorting towels and caring about everybody. For his anniversary, | ||
+ | |||
+ | Well, a few weeks ago, I told Jeff about writing this commencement speech, and I asked him what he thought I should say. "Tell them to be glad of who they are. They might get to be president or a teacher or a doctor or just themselves whoever they are. Everybody can do something." | ||
+ | |||
+ | A few years ago, I was asked to be part of a White House meeting about children and television. Many broadcasters from all over the country were there. Since I was supposed to be one of the speakers, I was seated beside Mrs. Clinton, who afterward said, " | ||
+ | |||
+ | I heard him whisper, " | ||
+ | |||
+ | Well, as far as I'm concerned, the major reason for my going to Washington that day was that military guard and nourishing the memory of his great uncle. What marvelous mysteries we're privileged to be part of! Why would that young man be assigned to guard that particular room on that particular day? It's slender threads like that that weave this complex fabric of our life together. I wonder if you've heard what happened at the Seattle Special Olympics a few years ago? For the 100-yard dash there were nine contestants, | ||
+ | |||
+ | All nine of them assembled at the starting line; and, at the sound of the gun they took off - but one little boy stumbled and fell and hurt his knee and began to cry. The other eight children heard the boy crying. They slowed down, turned around, saw the boy and ran back to him - every one of them ran back to him. One little girl with Down Syndrome bent down and kissed the boy and said, "This will make it better." | ||
+ | |||
+ | The little boy got up, and he and the rest of the runners linked their arms together and joyfully walked to the finish line. They all finished the race at the same time. And when they did, everyone in the stadium stood up and clapped and whistled and cheered for a long, long time. People who were there are still telling the story with obvious delight. And you know why, because deep down, we know that what matters in this life is much more than winning for ourselves. What really matters is helping others win, too, even if it means slowing down and changing our course now and then. There' | ||
When I graduated from college, I had little notion of how I'd ever be able to put together all the interests that I had. It took a good deal of time, and my parents probably wondered if I'd ever be able to make anything of all I'd been given; but after a lot of help from a lot of people, I'll never forget the sense of wholeness I felt when I finally realized what, in fact, I really was: not just a song writer or a language buff or a student of human development or a telecommunicator, | When I graduated from college, I had little notion of how I'd ever be able to put together all the interests that I had. It took a good deal of time, and my parents probably wondered if I'd ever be able to make anything of all I'd been given; but after a lot of help from a lot of people, I'll never forget the sense of wholeness I felt when I finally realized what, in fact, I really was: not just a song writer or a language buff or a student of human development or a telecommunicator, | ||
we finally discover whom we're best equipped to serve, when we can best appreciate the unique life we've been given. | we finally discover whom we're best equipped to serve, when we can best appreciate the unique life we've been given. | ||
- | One day, I was privileged to sit in on one of Yo-yo Ma's master cello classes. | ||
- | interest. Finally, Yo-yo said, " | ||
- | Anyone who has ever graduated from a university, anyone who has ever been able to sustain a good work has had at least one person - and often many - who believed in him or her. We just don't get to be competent human beings without many different investments from others. I'd like to give you all an invisible gift; a gift of silence to think about those who nourish you at the deepest part of your being . . .anyone who has ever loved you and wanted what was best for you in life. Some of those people may be right here today. Some may be far away, some may even be in heaven; but if they' | ||
- | have a silent minute to think of them. One minute: I'll watch the time. . . . Whomever you've been thinking about: just imagine how grateful they must be that at this extra special moment in your life, you're remembering them with such thanksgiving. You know, the Greek word for " | ||
- | television neighborhood - some as children, some as parents - and I'm proud of the way you've grown. Before I say goodbye and bow again to the eternal within you, I'd like to give you the words of one of my favorite neighborhood songs. This song is called " | ||
- | |||
+ | One day, I was privileged to sit in on one of Yo-yo Ma's master cello classes. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Finally, Yo-yo said, " | ||
+ | |||
+ | Anyone who has ever graduated from a university, anyone who has ever been able to sustain a good work has had at least one person - and often many - who believed in him or her. We just don't get to be competent human beings without many different investments from others. I'd like to give you all an invisible gift; a gift of silence to think about those who nourish you at the deepest part of your being . . .anyone who has ever loved you and wanted what was best for you in life. Some of those people may be right here today. Some may be far away, some may even be in heaven; but if they' | ||
+ | |||
+ | One minute: I'll watch the time. . . . | ||
+ | |||
+ | Whomever you've been thinking about: just imagine how grateful they must be that at this extra special moment in your life, you're remembering them with such thanksgiving. You know, the Greek word for " | ||
+ | |||
+ | The way we say "thank you" to God and to each other is the greatest imaginable form of appreciation. In fact, the reason we are created in God's image - in God's tzelem - is to be God's representatives on this Earth . . . to do here what God would do . . . to take care of the land and each other as God would take care of us. | ||
+ | |||
+ | You don't ever have to do anything sensational in order to love or to be loved. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Before I say goodbye and bow again to the eternal within you, I'd like to give you the words of one of my favorite neighborhood songs. This song is called " | ||
+ | |||
+ | It's not the way you do your hair, but it's you I like. The way you are right now the way down deep inside you not the things that hide you not your diplomas . . . they' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Congratulations to you all. |