So who else wins a Lifetime Achievement Award and then uses it as a chance to make it about you and me?
A glitzy self-aware industry celebration is transformed into a calm gathering of generosity and appreciation. Imagine the same transformation in your family.
Here are four things I learned from Mr Rogers about creating calm and gratitude in our families:
1. Be the same person always. This is the same Mr. Rogers you see publicly and privately. It take a lot of emotional energy when your family has to work to know which ‘you’ will show up, and to know which you is the real you. Keep it simple and humble and honest.
2. BE calm, don’t just talk about it; and the same with generosity, gratitude, patience, selflessness, and all the stuff we wish for our family. Mr. Rogers doesn’t teach it, it just comes out of him. Talking goes to the head, BEing goes to the heart and inspires.
3. Give credit to others when you deserve it. Especially when you deserve it. “So many people have helped me come to this night.” We all naturally know this feels better than taking credit. Your family will copy you; you’ll never need to teach or lecture.
4. Help your family give credit. “Ten seconds of silence. I’ll watch the time.” Create opportunities and expectations for your family to purposefully express gratitude for the help of others. Make it seem normal.
The message starts at :42. You can read the brief transcript after the video, but you’ll miss FEELING the message in Mr Rogers’ presence.
So many people have helped me to come to this night.
Some of you are here. Some are far away. Some are even in heaven.
All of us have special ones who have loved us into being.
Would you just take, along with me, ten seconds to think of the people who have helped you become who you are?
Those who have cared about you and wanted what was best for you in life.
Ten seconds of silence. I’ll watch the time . . .
Whomever you’ve been thinking about, how pleased they must be to know the difference you feel they’ve made.
– Fred Rogers
Who has loved you into being, and helped you become who you are?
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A Family Like Yours is 31 Days of encouragement to help you appreciate, influence, and love the family you have (no matter what).
This is day 11.
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