If this doesn't make you smile.....

I have such a great story to tell you! The day after I sent out my e-mail inviting you to participate with this project, I went into New York City, and met up with my aunt and her 2 girlfriends. We walked miles around Chinatown, Little Italy, and lower Manhattan. We had no agenda but to enjoy the weather and each other's company. We wandered down streets I had never been... and to the cobblestone roads of the charming South Street Seaport area. One of my fellow travelers noticed a storefront that opened in the back to a courtyard.

We walked through the dim room to the soft afternoon light of the courtyard. The air had just a touch of Fall, and it was so peaceful. To our right, there were large windows showing the back room of a dress shop where tailors and designers were collaborating.

Around a corner to our left, was a bench with something on it. I found that it was a canvas turned over onto a note. I read the note first which stated, "This painting is yours if you promise to smile at random people more often".

I was flabbergasted.

I looked at the painting, and found a picture that you couldn't help but smile looking at it!

I was thrilled to see that the person who left this awesome gift, also left a website! www.bataclan.com

Please go and check out this man's mission. He started a project called the "Smile Boston Project" several years ago.... and has since left hundred's of paintings all over the world. If you go to his site, you can see pictures of his "drop-off" locations, recipients, and many articles in which his project has been featured.

How many people have smiled and laughed because of this man? How many dreary days have been made bright because of one of his paintings? He is just one man, and he has probably made a positive impact on thousands of people.

We can't all do what Mr. Bataclan does, but we can help. What if we all smiled at random people more often?