Muppets and Accountability

Watching the Muppets movie recently brought back a wave of nostalgia and sentimental ideals that I never even realized I’d lost. It’s difficult to express the types of feelings that come with watching a movie that honors such a close memory as a show that you grew up with. A show that was more than just that; it was a teacher and a friend.

The Muppets wasn’t the only show like that to me. Mr. Rogers, Fraggle Rock, Looney Tunes, Wishbone, Bill Nye, and many other shows I grew up with made me who I am today. They all brought wonderful messages to my life. But lately the world has grown into a place that seems to suggest these old values are equivalent to non-existence.

Kermit started in on one of these ideas. It was a short speech that he never even got to finish the first sentence due to being interrupted. A friend of mine mentioned this scene in particular stuck with her because of what Kermit was starting to say. He mentioned something along the lines with how kids are smarter than what we give them credit for, and they deserve so much more respect. Think of many years ago. Kids used to work by the age of 7 or 8. Those growing up on farms were up at dawn and asleep by sunset every day. They found work, games, and ways to learn to fill their day. And in all honesty, these children were probably much healthier and balanced, and grew up feeling less entitled than recent generations. Today we coddle toddlers. They can’t go outside, hold anything sharp, or even learn how to get over falling down because their overbearing parents feel they must protect them from everything. By making a “child-safe” world, we’ve stripped away their childhood.

Respecting children is just a small part of what these shows displayed. They were also teachers for children. It was a “feel good” atmosphere, without being cheesy or thoughtless. These shows were clever, and enjoyable for adults (just like classic Disney movies) and not just for children. They never talked down to us when we were growing up. They encouraged learning, and being kind to others, and made us laugh.

They also instilled a sense of accountability. Part of a song in the new Muppets movie says ‎"You’ve got everything that you need – right in front of you. Nothing’s stopping you, nothing that you can’t do that the world can throw at you." People today have taken to blaming everything wrong in their life on anything they can that’s not themselves. I can’t count how many times I’ve had to remind family and friends that they are the only one responsible for making themselves happy. No other person, place or thing can give them the sort of happiness they deserve. You must allow yourself to be cheerful , and until you give yourself that permission, then you will remain in the sad, unfulfilled place you hate being in.

Seeing the Muppet movie reminded me of these old sentiments (and more). And I’ve been in a content way lately because of it. My problems haven’t disappeared, and I still have many hours of homework each night regardless, but I’m not drowning under a heavily growing weight of responsibilities. I’ve remembered what it feels like to be a kid. I’ll do my chores, but I don’t need to dwell on them all night and day. There are other, better things to do with my spare time.

I think sometimes we need a reminder of what used to be important to us. To me it was catching an episode of Barney, and then going out to our swing-set to work on sticking my landing when I jumped off from the highest height. It was listening to my Mickey Mouse cassette tapes and then seeing who could run down the hill the fastest. It was playing pretend with my stuffed animals, and then helping my Mom bake in the kitchen. And then riding my bike until I couldn’t stand up because my legs hurt.

My life never used to be about being so bored I wondered what was on TV, and then watched shows I didn’t care about for half the night. It wasn’t about living at a computer screen waiting for facebook to update. It wasn’t about reminding myself what I’m “supposed” to be eating. It wasn’t about lying awake at night for hours wondering if I’m doing the right thing with my life. And it wasn’t about being so frustrated at the end of every day that I need to blow steam with a walk around town just to be okay for another day. And your life shouldn’t be about your trivial problems either. It shouldn’t be a letdown, and we are the only one’s letting ourselves feel this way.

The Muppets movie wasn’t only great for its story, the acting, choreography, songs, cinematography, characters, or even for reviving a wonderful show. It was great for reminding us that when things get bad, like when Fozzy was working for a second rate casino in Reno, that we can take charge and make everything right. That when we don’t know who we are anymore (are you a man or a Muppet?), that only by looking inside can we find out. The Muppets movie was great because it reminded us of our youth and what once was important. And it reminded us of all those lessons we once learned and have forgotten over time. The movie was great because of what it brought with it.

And they brought it in a package that everyone can enjoy.