During my morning shower I got to thinking about Sesame Street (the TV show, not some street in China town -- rimshot). Sesame street was divided into short segments, usually less than five minutes. I'm not sure if they were trying to cater to attention deficit or create it. It defiantly wasn't that slow-ass-talking snuffaluffagaus idea though.

Anyway, so all these segments had a transparent message they were trying to deliver. "This is the letter K". "Always share your toys". Lessons like that. Now then, what was the lesson of Ernie's famous "Put down the duckie if you want to play the saxophone"? Don't play like you have no idea what I'm talking about. Ernie wants to learn to play saxophone. He won't put down his rubber duckie and so his playing is less than effective. It turns into a huge music number with many celebrities cameos. I belive at the very least BB King, Kenny G (don't nitpick), Whoopi Goldberg, John Candy, Robin Williams, Danny Devito and Rhia Pearlman were in it. By all means, as segments go, a big deal for the Sesame Street producers. Sesame street has a finite budget, and their producers and writers must be wary of their bottom line. They of course always want the most effective content for their buck. What is so important about putting down your ducky that it justifies putting down the green for a host of cameos? Actually, I'm not sure. But I do have one theory.

I think "Putting Down the Ducky" was symbolic of letting go of your codependencies. Sesame Street was trying to get children ready for a world full of abusive narcissistic relationships. Witness, Ernie holds on to his codependency. He is ineffective in life. He let's go and experiences that he can lead his life individually, and be even happier.

To quote Mr. Hoots:
You didn't hear a word I said.
You gotta get it through your head.
Don't be a stubborn cluck!
Ernie, lay aside the duck!

In other words, lay ASIDE your sick, entangled, and mutually destructive feelings. Growth is change, and the only way to change is to let go.
In case you were wondering, there is a rubber duckie in my shower. So it's not so strange to think about Sesame Street while bathing
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