Making Goodness Attractive

Making Goodness Attractive: Cultivating, Planting & Propagating Goodness in Ourselves and In Others to Serve the Greater Good

By Elisa Garcia

Fred Rogers once said, “I believe that appreciation is a holy thing, that when we look for what’s best in the person we happen to be with at the moment, we’re doing what God does all the time. So in loving and appreciating our neighbor, we’re participating in something sacred.” These words remind us that goodness is not just an innate quality, it is a practice, a verb, and an ongoing commitment. In both our personal lives and the larger world, we have the opportunity to cultivate, plant, and propagate goodness for the well-being of all in each moment.

From an Ayurvedic perspective, we can understand this process through the Kosha system, which views the human experience as five interconnected layers: physical (Annamaya Kosha), energetic (Pranamaya Kosha), mental-emotional (Manomaya Kosha), wisdom (Vijnanamaya Kosha), and bliss (Anandamaya Kosha). When we nourish each of these layers with intention, we embody wholeness and radiate goodness outward.

Goodness is a Verb: A Practice of Purpose. Goodness flourishes when we actively practice it. Just as we tend a garden with care, we must nourish our inner and outer landscapes through action. In Ayurveda, we align our purpose (Dharma) with right action (Karma Yoga), ensuring that what we cultivate within becomes a source of nourishment for others.

Every day, educators, parents, and community leaders have the opportunity to reinforce the practice of goodness through intentional actions. Teachers can set the tone in their classrooms by fostering inclusive and supportive learning environments, modeling respect and kindness in every interaction. Parents can create home environments where kindness is celebrated through shared rituals like family gratitude circles and acts of service to the community. Community leaders can develop initiatives that encourage youth engagement in meaningful service projects that build a sense of shared responsibility for our world.

Techniques to Develop Purpose:

• Educators & Administrators: Implement mindfulness practices in the classroom, create trauma-informed learning spaces, and integrate service-learning projects.
• Parents & Caregivers: Encourage reflective storytelling with children, model acts of kindness in everyday life, and create space for open dialogue on values and ethics.
• Community Leaders: Develop service-based programs that engage children in volunteerism and civic responsibility, and promote mentorship programs that cultivate leadership and integrity.

Resources:

• "Mindfulness for Teachers" by Patricia A. Jennings.
• CASEL's Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) framework for fostering purpose-driven education.

Identity & Identification: Developing Clarity. Fred Rogers believed in the deep dignity of every person. In his Neighborhood, identity was not something to conform to but to be explored and honored. The Manomaya Kosha (mental-emotional body) teaches us that when we understand who we are, we can embody and extend goodness more authentically.

A child’s sense of identity begins with feeling seen and valued. Educators can support students in discovering their strengths and passions through identity-based learning projects. Parents can cultivate environments of belonging by honoring their child’s individual interests and allowing space for self-expression. Organizations that work with youth can promote diversity, equity, and inclusion through mentorship programs and community engagement opportunities that celebrate unique cultural and personal identities.

Techniques to Develop Clarity:

• Educators: Encourage student-led discussions on identity, foster inclusivity through literature and media, and provide space for storytelling and self-expression.
• Parents: Validate children’s emotions, help them navigate identity formation with compassion, and expose them to diverse perspectives that expand their worldview.
• Organizations: Promote DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives that celebrate individual and cultural identities, ensuring that leadership opportunities are accessible to all.

Resource:

• "The Identity-Conscious Educator" by Liza A. Talusan.

Grounding into Our Essence: Deepening Understanding. The Pranamaya Kosha (energetic body) reminds us that breath and presence anchor us in our true essence. Fred Rogers modeled this in every slow, intentional interaction. To cultivate goodness, we must first be grounded in our own presence.

Grounding is essential for anyone working with children. Teachers who practice mindfulness and self-regulation techniques can create classrooms where students feel safe and engaged. Parents who center their own well-being through simple breathwork exercises can respond to their children with greater patience and understanding. Community leaders who prioritize grounding can make more thoughtful and compassionate decisions that serve the greater good.

Techniques to Develop Understanding:

• Educators: Implement breathwork techniques to help students self-regulate, use calming transitions between activities, and practice mindful presence in the classroom.
• Parents: Practice mindful listening, teach children self-soothing techniques, and model emotional regulation through deep breathing and stillness.
• Community Leaders: Integrate wellness practices into public initiatives, such as community yoga and meditation spaces that foster connection and reflection.

Resources:

• "Breathe Like a Bear" by Kira Willey for child-friendly breath practices
• Conscious Discipline's Five Steps for Self-regulation. The steps include identifying it (I am), welcoming it (I calm), befriending it (I feel), soothing it (I choose), and resolving the core challenge behind the emotion. (I solve)

Essentials: Setting Goodness Goals. Just as a gardener must plan before planting, we must be intentional about cultivating goodness. Setting clear goodness goals both individually and collectively ensures that our efforts are aligned with our highest values.

Strategies for Success:

• Educators: Integrate kindness initiatives into lesson plans, create classroom charters that emphasize respect, and celebrate the outward demonstration of empathy.
• Parents: Set family kindness goals, such as performing weekly acts of service and practicing gratitude journaling together.
• Community Leaders: Develop measurable social impact projects, such as mentoring programs or community efforts that align with fostering collective well-being.

Putting Children First in Everything We Do. Fred Rogers always asked, “How does this serve the children?” His work reminds us that the most vulnerable in society should guide our purpose. When we design systems, policies, and daily practices that prioritize children’s emotional, physical, and social well-being, we set the foundation for a more compassionate world.

Practical Applications:

• Educators & Schools: Advocate for student-centered policies, mental health support, and holistic learning models that address emotional well-being.
• Parents: Create nurturing environments where children feel safe, seen, and supported in their personal growth.
• Community Leaders: Develop child-first policies in public spaces, ensuring access to education, healthcare, and enrichment opportunities.

Serving the Greater Good. Fred Rogers knew that goodness extends beyond individuals to society at large. The Kosha system teaches that true wellness is collective wellness. Goodness is not just for ourselves, it is meant to be shared. When we extend our goodness beyond our immediate circles, we contribute to a more just, compassionate world for all.

Ways to Expand Impact:

• Support organizations that uplift children and families.
• Engage in policy advocacy for equity and access in education.
• Foster intergenerational connections that pass down values of kindness and responsibility.

By cultivating, planting, and propagating goodness in our daily lives/work, we become active participants in creating a world where every child and every person can thrive. As Fred Rogers demonstrated, even the smallest acts of goodness ripple outward, shaping a future built on love, kindness, and shared humanity.

Fred Rogers made goodness attractive not through grand gestures but through small, intentional acts of love. As we plant, cultivate, and propagate goodness, may we too, become stewards of a kinder world one simple, heartfelt moment at a time and see that growth reflected in others.