Teach Goodness

“Try your best to make goodness attractive. That's one of the toughest assignments you'll ever be given.” 
 
Fred Rogers
 
Goodness.  It’s a difficult word to define but we know it’s a quality we should strive for. Being “good” is a daily challenge.  As adults, we generally insist that our children “be good,” but we sometimes send the opposite message – that goodness isn’t fun. 
 
Mr. Roger’s quote seems to acknowledge that our natural inclination is NOT goodness.  None of us is truly good unless we make the effort to do good things.  And inspiring others to do the same is not an easy task.  In fact, Fred Rogers says it is “one of the toughest assignments you’ll ever be given.” But don’t we all want to live in a world that is good?  Where people are kind to each other and treat each other fairly?  
 
“Try your best…..” As music teachers and directors of children’s theater, we have a tremendous opportunity to promote kindness in our casts and empathy in the audiences who attend our shows. In your rehearsals, are cooperation and caring valued and encouraged in actionable ways? When you have completed a performance, does your audience leave feeling inspired to take positive action on a personal level or communally?
 
“Good” is contagious.  We continue to return to the example of Mr. Rogers because we know, deep down, that “good” is good for us!  And the best way to promote that message is not to lecture, but to entertain.  Why settle for mediocre stories, stereotypical characters, and “fluffy” music when you could make people laugh, cry, and come out on the other side feeling hopeful and inspired?  Goodness can be both meaningful and fun.
 
Try your best to make goodness attractive.  Our kids deserve it!

Diane Beckstead is a composer and founder of Musicals for Change, a publishing company producing quality kid's musicals which partner with nonprofits to teach kids empathy and the power of their own voices. 
​https://www.musicalsforchange.com/