Mr. Rogers Was a Brilliant Example of Radiant Empathy

Mr. Rogers displayed Radiant Empathy - the highest form of empathy where a person holds dear the feelings of others, while keeping personal boundaries clear. For over 30 years, Mr. Rogers quietly and calmly entered our lives, as he put on his sweater and changed his shoes. He radiated kindness, goodness, acceptance and hope to every child he met. It wasn’t an act. His life was a reflection of his firmly held values and beliefs that we are all valuable just the way we are. Even in his last recorded message to his fans, he said,

“I would like to tell you what I often told you when you were much younger. I like you just the way you are. And what’s more, I’m so grateful to you for helping the children in your life to know that you’ll do everything you can to keep them safe. And to help them express their feelings in ways that will bring healing in many different neighborhoods. It’s such a good feeling to know that we’re lifelong friends.”

His faith-based approach to viewing the world as a neighborhood helped him look for the positive in people and see their potential for healing of the world in their own small way. Making a difference doesn’t require big acts. His gentleness was the antithesis of the violence, abuse, and brutality that feeds the minds and hearts of children today.

He recognized the strength that comes from childlike humility, trust and vulnerability. He didn’t buy into the slogans of today – “Win at all costs;” “Do your own thing;” “Might makes right;” “I’ve got to look out for #1;” “The winner is the one who dies with the most toys;” “Weakness must be hidden;” “Winners are better than losers;” and “You’re nothing if you’re not rich”.

No matter what was happening in the news, he was able to hold dear the feelings of others, while at the same time keeping his personal boundaries clear. And that is the very definition of Radiant Empathy. It gave Mr. Rogers a gentle strength that is sorely missed today.

Radiant Empathy helps us let go of the negative and shift to the positive more quickly. I’m busily developing a new resource for you to learn more about Radiant Empathy. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter, then you’ll be one of the first to have access to it.

In the meantime, if you’d like to enlarge your empathic skills, read my new book, “WHEN EMPATHY FAILS,” which is a practical guidebook for enhancing self-awareness and making decisions that protect yourself, while contributing to the betterment of your neighborhood. This is what EmD-5 or Radiant Empathy is all about.

One Reply to “Mr. Rogers Was a Brilliant Example of Radiant Empathy”

  1. Dear Kathy,
    you have touch a vulnerable part of my soul. I recently read about Radiant Empathy in your news letter that I receive.

    Many years ago I believe I was married to an Asperger man, I loved him very much, we were married for 14 years and had three little boys. It was very stressful. After struggling to protect my three sons, the youngest got killed going to the mailbox on the other side of our farm road. I believed for many years that because my husband encourage my three sons to do things way beyond their years, not protecting them and being very abusive when I tried to remonstrate with his behaviour, he was just a arrogant and unfeeling man. It has taken me a life time to come to terms with that marriage and the loss of my son. I never gave up searching for an answer. Back in the 70’s we did not have the understanding and knowledge we have grown to have now. Your article in your news letter has given me a difference perspective, yes, he was ‘Mindblind’ and could not see the dangers he put my children in. I am at peace now and have come to know and practice RADIANT EMPATHY.
    We are indeed evolving as humans! Thanks again for all that you do.

    In kindness and love, Valerie Palmer

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