A Lesson in Gratitude
In 1997, Fred Rogers of the children’s television show Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood received an Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award. His acceptance speech was 153 words long. Here is the speech:
“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 loved us into being. Would you just take, along with me, 10 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.”
While Rogers looked at his watch, the camera featured several people in the audience whose eyes shone with tears. He continued:
“Whomever you’ve been thinking about, how pleased they must be to know the difference you feel they’ve made. You know they’re the kind of people television does well to offer our world. Special thanks to my family, and friends, and to my co-workers in Public Broadcasting Family Communications, and this Academy for encouraging me, allowing me, all these years to be your neighbor. May God be with you. Thank you very much.”
Though he never mentioned the word, Rogers was of course speaking of gratitude. We could all learn a lesson from Fred Rogers on gratitude. We can begin each day with a prayer that takes less than 10 seconds: “Thank you, Lord, for another day. Help me to bring glory to your name through my words and actions.” There’s no better way we can start our day.
