Community: Lessons from "Arthur"
When I was a kid, I would get so excited for my teachers to read Arthur books. There was something about the glasses wearing aardvark that made me want to learn all lessons from him. Arthur lessons were applicable, understandable, and relevant to my life. As I got older, some wonderful people made an Arthur cartoon. The cartoon was so well done, and it had such a great theme song. If you have not heard it before you, it is worth a listen, however, in the meantime here are the lyrics:
“Believe in Yourself”
by Ziggy Marely and the Melody Makers
Every day when you are walking down the street
And everybody that you meet
Has an original point of view
And I say HEY! (HEY!)
What a wonderful kind of day.
If you can learn to work and play
And get along with each other
You got to listen to your heart
Listen to the beat
Listen to the rhythm
The rhythm of the street
Open up your eyes
Open up your ears
Get together and make things better
By working together!
It's a simple message and it comes from the heart
Believe in yourself (in yourself)
cause that's the place to start (to start)
And I say HEY! (HEY!)
What a wonderful kind of day
If we can learn to work and play
And get along with each other.
Hey what a wonderful kind of day hey!
Hey what a wonderful kind of day hey!
Recently, Mike was singing this song on repeat in his mind and because of that, it was on repeat for our family. As I was listening to him sing the theme song over and over, I became in awe of its lyrics and I realized Arthur has an incredible theme song for community. It is my dream for walking down the street in different communities.
Picture this with me… We are walking down the street making eye contact with people and say hey to each person we encounter. Our hello’s make each person feel seen and, because of that, it also makes them feel wanted. Our hellos are not limited to only friends, or people we know. Our hellos greet each person. The greeting becomes the norm for humanity, no matter what life has been, is, or will be. No matter our race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexuality, political party, marital status or age. Our hello is a fear breaker and a bridge maker. Some of us may say “Hello,” “HI,” “Hey,” “What’s up,” “How are you doing,” or “Good to see you.” Some of us may speak in our native tongue. Some of us may compliment a person or bless a person. No matter what our first interaction is, each encounter we have chips away the fear of difference and brings the bridge of love and value.
Hey, can be a powerful word. It can be life changing. In its simplicity… Hey, invites an opportunity for togetherness, willingness to connect, and and an invitation for community.
May we learn to be a people that “opens up our eyes, opens up our ears, and opens up our hearts” to one another so that we can encourage community with all the people we interact with.
