Just a few weeks ago, I watched A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood for the first time. And since then, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Mr. Rogers.
The movie is based on a true story. It follows a journalist who has a reputation for interviewing celebrities, finding skeletons in their closet, and then publishing them for the world to read about. A lovely guy, I’m sure. Anyway, this journalist is assigned to Mr. Rogers and everybody is waiting to see… What skeletons are about to see the light of day? What secrets does Mr. Rogers have?
I don’t plan on ruining the movie for you. It’s really good and I think you should watch it! But about halfway through the movie, the journalist is watching Mr. Rogers talk to some kids on a busy street in New York City. The journalist leans over to Mr. Rogers’ wife and says, “How do you feel about your husband being a saint?”
She looks at him and says, “I hate when people call him that.”
The journalist’s eyebrows raise. He’s probably thinking, “OH!! THIS IS MY MOMENT! THE WIFE IS GOING TO TELL ME HOW BAD HE REALLY IS WHEN NOBODY IS AROUND! LET ME GRAB MY NOTEBOOK.”
The journalist looks at her and says, “Why’s that?”
She responds…
“Calling Mr. Rogers a saint makes it seem like his life is unattainable. But that’s not true. Anybody could be like him. It just takes work.”
That’s a whole sermon right there. And if you don’t believe me… just hit play and you’ll see what I mean.
Training > Trying