...the power of well intentioned words:

        This has been one of those days when we had an extra important appointment change, one that will determine some of our near future.  OK...so it got rearranged to this coming Monday.  Now what?

        Rarely do I have the luxury of unexpected time.  Frankly, it's been a gift for this day.  Getting some extra communication done and exploring some blogs I've saved up to puruse has been almost like being on vacation for a few hours.

        Since our schedule got changed, from my home office, I've texted, phoned, Skyped and emailed...what miracles these methods are!  I've communicated with people in Canada, Ireland, South Africa, Belgium, Austria, New York, Michigan, Alaska, Kansas, California, Flordia, Nevada, Arizona, Washington DC, Georgia, Tennessee, all over the Denver area, CSprings, Grand Junction, Fort Collins, and a man who lives about a mile from here, whom I've yet to meet...but will soon over coffee.

        This is a stunning array of good, creative, radical, intriguing, real-deal, world-changing people!  We need more like each one of them.  That may even be you.......

        One of the groups I'm fascinated in finding and exploring  is simply called Q.  Gabe Lyons, an exceptional thought leader with whom I hope I can also do coffee one of these days, has created a web site that I've explored thoroughly today...what a treat to have the extra time to do just that.

        Today, one of the contributors to that site wrote about how, in 1969, {...like 42 long years ago...} PBS was in danger of losing its $20 million federal funding allotment due to national budget cuts {...sound familiar with today's news?...}, so Fred Rogers went to Washington to articulate his mission before Congress.  In just six minutes, he shared his philosophy with the grizzly Senator John O. Pastore.

    “I give an expression of care every day to each child to help him realize that he is unique,” he said.  “If we in public television can only make it clear that feelings are mentionable and manageable, we will have done a great service for mental health.”

        Pastore responded that Mr. Rogers’ words gave him goose bumps, and that he “just earned the 20 million dollars” for PBS’s budget.  {...remember, this was way back when in the last century...}

...click here to watch...

        What impressed me in watching Mr. Rogers speak, as he spoke to anyone, not just children, was that a well-time, well thought through, non-defensive, sincere, warm, creative, focused, clear word has great power.  Thank you, Mr. Rogers, for the momentary mentoring on this stormy day here in Colorado.  I hope to do likewise in future conversations I'll have today and beyond.......

...that's my friend, Andrew, when we (along with his wife and other friends) were in Columbia, just about a year ago now, on a trip to see the exceptional work of Compassion International.  Kids will be kids, no matter their age.  :-)  Our hearts were deeply stirred from all we experienced.  How thankful I am for how Compassion advocates for children in the extraordinary ways they do...just as Mr. Rogers did during his life time.

 

© Three3rdsMedia 2011...in association with LeadershipDesignGroup