howdy family,

i've spent years like a stone. heavy, weighted into a spot, only rolling when hurricane winds pulled me out of a stuck place. i believed that was the way you find success: pick something you like to do and force it to be done. brand yourself as a commodity to be plucked off the shelves or sold at auction. 

it worked well enough, but i often felt as though i was forcing myself into being rather than allowing myself to be. something felt off, i felt restless, but i didn't understand what.

as i've journeyed towards being open and receptive, i began to realize that being a weighted down rock was not allowing me the freedom to fly. the freedom to float in the direction of my compass and be pulled into the places that felt right to be.

i won't try to explain it as it feels unexplainable, but i feel light. i feel light enough to be carried to where i need to be rather than where i think i "should be". i allowed my hard stony shell to be broken down by the wind and water until i was like a grain of sand. strong, unbreakable, but light enough to float where i feel.

now that i feel light, now that i no longer force my direction, i am finally being pulled and i feel as though i have found my calling in life. it is a powerful feeling. it is a feeling of alignment and knowing that i am where i need to be.

i grew up with television mentors who gave me permission to be myself. permission to grow into the wild flower i am, without needing to compare myself to any other flower in the field, all while infusing a calm sense of kindness into the world. i grew up with mister rogers, with raffi, with bill nye. today i look at children's entertainment and i see this figure is missing.

there is no longer a consistent, fun, grown up friend who leads tots through art, foolish songs, puppet shows, and life lessons throughout the years of their development.

my loving family, through a series of inexplicable events i have been pulled into a position to take on this role. it's important, it's necessary, and it's happening. i am creating a children's television program that will focus on using art as a way of expression, as a way to develop our emotions and discover the special things inside of ourselves that make us who we are.

i cannot do it without my family behind me. i cannot do it without you. as i am a constant student of life, i am looking for people who will help me learn about children's education and entertainment. people who also believe there is a hole that needs to be filled and who will help me fill it.

here is my request: watch the video i've attached, if you feel you can help in anyway, with a book suggestion, a life lesson, a person to contact, a children's psychologist you know who i could talk to, please reach out to me. and if nothing else, please pass this video along by sharing this link (tepperstots.com) with your family and friends. somehow, someway, i know you can help me find the people i need to meet to make this important dream come true.

until then, as you ramble on through life, whatever be your goal, keep your eye upon the doughnut and not upon the hole.

your friendly fool,
tepper