This is how he fought the government and won
It was 1968 and Fred was unknown to the vast majority of Americans, especially those Senators to whom he was testifying.
Although they were originally granted 20 million dollars, these Senators wanted to cut federal funding for his program and other similar ones.
It was more than a cut. With the backing of the current President, these Senators planned to slash funding by more than half.
Fred was there to do more than soften the blow. He wanted the full 20 million dollar grant and this was not going to be an easy task.
He could have dazzled them with impressive charts and numbers about why this work was so important.
Or he could have made a series of philosophical statements to try to appeal to their intellect and gain their trust.
Fred decided to take another route.
The chairman of this Senate Committee was known as a tough guy, and many folks would not have expected Fred to succeed due to his mild mannerism.
Fred skipped the fancy charts and the high minded philosophy to tell the story about what his program was accomplishing with children.
How it was helping them to constructively cope with the stresses that they face in life everyday.
And then he read the words to a song that he wrote to help kids deal with anger.
The Senator was so moved that he had goosebumps and said, “I think it's wonderful. I think it's wonderful. Looks like you just earned the 20 million dollars.”
And in five short minutes Fred Rogers, Mr. Rogers as most know him, changed the mindset of a tough Senator and saved children’s television for a generation of youngsters.
Mr. Rogers knew that yesterday's solutions would not solve today's problems.
Our world (and the Nashville Real Estate Market) is in a constant state of change. We have to constantly update our mindset and strategies, if we are going to be successful.
And tomorrow, I am going to share with you one area where some need to change their mindset immediately.
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