What is the Make Someone Smile Project?

It was a typical Tuesday evening. I was sitting cross-legged on my bed, my computer in my lap. With Facebook in one window and my emails in another, I decided to read my daily dose of stories on sixbillionsecrets.com. After reading a few posts and commenting reassuringly on them, I read a story that made my heart drop.

“One day, a man jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge. When the police were searching through his house after, they found a note that said, ‘Today I will walk to the bridge. If anyone smiles at me, I won’t jump.’ I make it a point to smile at everyone now.”

This message touched me deeply on so many levels. A smile could have saved this man’s life. A simple smile, something I practically take for granted. A smile is free and a smile is easy; why had no one smiled at this man?

That got me thinking…how many people are suffering from depression right now? How many people are out there being bullied? How many people are self-harming, or self-conscious about the way they look? How many people are out there in the world who desperately need a smile?

The answer? A lot.

And even for those people who are thoroughly content with the way their lives are going…Don’t they deserve a smile too? Don’t they deserve some gentle little reminder that they’re absolutely wonderful?

I want to tell you, yes you, the person reading this sentence one thing. I have never seen you, and I probably never will. I don’t know your name or your history.I don’t know what color your hair is, if you have braces or not, or if you’re missing a leg. I don’t know anything about you, really.

But I do know one thing.

You are beautiful.

Now, some of you will believe me right away. That’s good. You should, because it’s the truth. But some of you will probably sit there and shake your head, scoffing a little. That’s a natural reaction to a complete stranger who knows nothing about you. You’re probably thinking, “No, I’m not beautiful.  I’m too fat or too loud or too skinny or too….me.”

But you’re wrong.

Everything about you is beautiful. You are an amazing human being. You are special. You matter in the world. 

Here’s a challenge for you. I want you to take one long, slow deep breath, if you can. Feel the air stretching your lungs. Now exhale slowly. Feel the life coursing through you. Feel the sheer joy of being alive; living in the now. Rinse and repeat. Tell yourself you are beautiful. Pretty soon, you’ll start to believe it.

You ARE beautiful.

I leave you with this one thought: Someone, somewhere in the world loves you. That person is me. I don’t care who you are, what you look like, how you dress, how you act, where you live…the only thing I care about is that you are here, and I love you so much more than you’ll ever understand.

OUR MISSION?

You never know how much a single moment can impact someone’s life. Take just a moment; go out of your way to make someone’s day special. Leave a random note saying “smile” or “you’re beautiful” where someone can find it. Smile at a stranger. Give money to a charity. Call a friend you haven’t talked to in years. Tell someone you like their shirt. Send a handwritten letter. A few seconds of your time could mean the world to someone. 

You could save someone’s life with your smile.

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