The following is an excerpt from an email I received from a wonderful friend on Wednesday, which also happened to be the first day of Spring. I removed a bit of information specific to my friend’s work*.
“Hi Laura,
Hope all is going well for you. Welcome to spring, even if it’s a little dreary! I’m copying and pasting *(the following) … because it made me think of you, too!
“As I was scrolling through social media this morning, it came to my attention that on March 20, 1928, Mr. Fred Rogers was born. I’ve enjoyed seeing a few tributes to him and especially loved a post by Brad Montague that made me think of all of you. (Brad is the innovator behind Kid President and a great encourager in his own right.) He created the artwork below and shared this quote from Mister Rogers:
“If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person.”
I just keep going back over those words, especially that last line. How does it change our interactions when we realize we leave a part of ourselves at every meeting with another person? What do we want to leave with someone else? Who are the people who have shaped your life and left a part of themselves with you? How can we thank them or honor them today?”
So I just wanted to say thanks for being you, and I hope you have a great afternoon!”
This was so lovely and unexpected, it truly made my day. I’ve been thinking about it quite a bit ever since — and not just because it was so, so kind. At the surface:
- How appropriate is it that Mr. Rogers’ birthday is on the first day of Spring?
- How much more appropriate is it that the first day of Spring is also the International Day of Happiness?
- And how perfect is it that Mr. Rogers’ birthday is the International Day of Happiness?
But when you dig deeper, there’s just so much food for thought in there:
- What difference do you want to make in the world?
- What are you doing about it?
- Who has helped to shape your world for the better?
- Do they know? Have you told them?
The last two questions are the ones that continue to roll around in my head. I can immediately identify the individuals who have shaped my life through hurtful actions — no reflection time required. But what about the people who have been forces for good? Can I readily identify them? And do they know?
Lots to think about.
Happy Spring and thanks for being you.