Interesting. I mostly agree with your take, but I want to add a wrinkle. What I think Phil had to show for his 'day' was an appreciation that he wasn't alone

Interesting. I mostly agree with your take, but I want to add a wrinkle. What I think Phil had to show for his 'day' was an appreciation that he wasn't alone in the world, and that fulfillment came through helping everyone he could along the way. I think the 'become the best person you can be' part only serves the 'do what you can for others' part, evidenced by the cycle ending on a day where every virtuoso performance, from changing a tire to playing piano, to ice sculpture, was for the benefit of someone else.