In his delightful book, Becoming Better Grownups, New York Times bestseller Brad Montague

shares an incredibly touching story about Mr. Rogers. Quoting from his book,

At the end of each speaking event, he would close by inviting everyone in the room to spend

one minute silently reflecting on specific

individuals who would help them become who they needed to be.

The people who, as he said, smiled you into smiling, people who have talked you into talking,

sung you into singing, loved you into loving. No surprise to any of us

if there was one person we would ever bestow the title, Mr. Humble, it would be Fred Rogers.

In his quintessential cardigan redirecting the focus to others rather than himself, he took

what could have easily been all about him and selflessly turned it into all about someone

else.

That's like noticing there's only one chocolate chip cookie left, and not only does he offer

it to you, but he even warms it up a bit

in the oven and then hands it to you along with a cool glass of milk.

Some people just seem to smile bigger when it's not about them.

At the end of his 60 seconds of reflection, he would then say to the audience,

Whomever you've been thinking about, imagine how grateful they must be that you remember

them when you think of your own becoming.

Again, the focus from him to them, from them to others.

He didn't just give you a cookie.

He taught you how to bake one and then share it.

That was his way. So who would your person be? Who smiled you into smiling, as he put it?

...