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.