I woke up this morning, as everybody did, thinking about yesterday’s tragedy. I looked at all the Muppet toys and posters in my room, a lifetime of collecting – and in that moment, all of it seemed pointless. Why do I spend my time thinking about and loving the Muppets when things like this can happen?
Then I started thinking about the values that the Muppets have taught me, which seem so relevant and crucial right now.
Love. Compassion. Respect for people’s lives and freedom. Understanding of other people, including people with really different experiences and backgrounds. Solving problems with thought, and heart, rather than with violence. Standing up for people who are smaller and weaker. Courage and strength in the face of evil.
These ideas and feelings are not “luxuries” that we can cast off in a crisis, just because we’re feeling anger and fear and grief. These are core principles that are at the heart of everything that we do, especially in a crisis.
This is the time when I’m glad that people in positions of authority and leadership watched Sesame Street and The Muppet Show and Fraggle Rock when they were growing up. This is the time when I’m glad that today’s children are comforted by Bear in the Big Blue House, and his gentle messages of understanding and compassion.
I’m so grateful for the Muppets right now, for Jim Henson and his peaceful, loving spirit. I’m so grateful for all of my Muppet fan friends, that we can be nourished by this spirit and inspired to go out into the world and make it a better place every day, in every way that we can.
Kermit, Miss Piggy, Grover, Red Fraggle – they’re on our side today. The side of peace, and justice, and building a better world every day. I hope you feel them with you as strongly as I do.
From a piece by Jim Henson, quoted in The Works :
Over the years, I’ve evolved my own set of beliefs and attitudes – as we all have – that I feel works for me.
I believe that life is basically a process of growth – that we go through many lives, choosing those situations and problems that we will learn through.
I believe that we form our own lives, that we create our own reality, and that everything works out for the best. I know I drive some people crazy with what seems to be ridiculous optimism, but it has always worked out for me.
I believe in taking a positive attitude toward the world, toward people, and toward my work. I think I’m here for a purpose. I think it’s likely that we all are, but I’m only sure about myself. I try to tune myself in to whatever it is that I’m supposed to be, and I try to think of myself as a part of all of us – all mankind and all life. I find it’s not easy to keep these lofty thoughts in mind as the day goes by, but it certainly helps me a great deal to start out this way.
At some point in my life I decided, rightly or wrongly, that there are many situations in this life that I can’t do much about – acts of terrorism, feelings of nationalistic prejudice, cold war, etc. – so what I should do is concentrate on the situations that my energy can affect.
I believe that we can use television and film to be an influence for good; that we can help to shape the thoughts of children and adults in a positive way. As it has turned out, I’m very proud of some of the work we’ve done, and I think we can do many more good things.
When I was young, my ambition was to be one of the people who made a difference in this world. My hope still is to leave the world a little bit better for my having been here.
It’s a wonderful life and I love it.
— Jim Henson, 1986
Thoughts from Muppet fans:
Kermit and his Muppet friends, the Fraggles, the Sesame residents and Bear’s buddies have always been examples for me. They taught me how to be a friend, a dreamer, a comedian, a musician, a teacher and, whenever necessary, a crazy character. They taught me, and millions of other people, what life is about and how you can enjoy living it.
Even if for some reason all of my Muppet posters, videos and toys would disappear, their ideas about life would still be with me, during both good times and bad times.
I am so happy that there are so many people who think alike. The world needs more of us.
— Jogchem Jalink
In light of the tragedy, I also thought about my love for the Muppets and why I have made them a huge part of my life.
I recalled the A&E Biography special on Sesame Street that I had seen a few months ago. I was so moved by the vision of Jim Henson, the dedication of Carroll Spinney, the gentleness of Kevin Clash when he spoke about his daughter, and much more. I cried throughout the entire show — not tears of sadness over the death of Jim Henson, but tears of joy and pride that I was doing my own little part to keep this incredible vision and dream alive.
In a time where hope and love are a must, I am so thankful for the fact that the spirit of Jim Henson is in my heart and the hearts of Muppet fans like you worldwide.
— Kristin Krause
I have so totally ignored everything in the house yesterday and today that Muppets and other things really haven’t entered my head until just this afternoon.
When we take it into consideration, JHC has done so many inspiring things for all of us. When I don’t feel like I’m inspired or I feel hopeless, I always watch The Muppet Movie and immediately I feel inspired and happy! That film has SO many points that it makes.
We are all a family, regardless where we are, who we are, or our color or creed or religion. That is a point of the Muppets.
“Peoples is peoples.”
— Foz
Only someone with real spirit of mind could have walked into work one day and said, “Let’s do a children’s show to bring peace to the world,” but Jim Henson did just that with Fraggle Rock. Peace, love, friendship, understanding, harmony, and a diverse bunch of people working together, all the values that should really matter in civilization, are something the Muppets at least have shown us. And yet they’ve shown it in a fun way. They’ve had a message, but at the same time they can also cheer us up. I always feel cheerful whenever I think of the Muppets (especially when I hear Jerry Nelson and Louise Gold singing); it keeps me going when times are a little hard.
When the Muppets did their own tribute to their founder, they included a jolly finale, perhaps showing that while entertainment may seem trivial at a time of sadness, there is room for it too. One has to be positive if one can, and the Muppets give us that kind of hope.
— Emma Shane
