Each day as I drive to work, I pass a sign (pictured here) that says "Have a Nice Day," complete with a smiley face and everything. It doesn't advertise anything-- it just sits there alongside the busy street and serves as a kind message to all who drive past. Each day as I pass the sign, I smile. I recently pulled over to take a photo of the sign to share with my friends in the Life Vest Inside Kindness Ambassadors group. "This sign never fails to put a smile on my face," I told them. "Please join me in sending good thoughts to whoever the kind soul is |
From around the world, encouraging feedback started rolling in, in response to the photo. "I hope I see something like this when I go to work," one wrote. "It makes me smile, too!"
"What a great idea! I wish all businesses would do something similar," another suggested.
One that stood out to me: "I would stop and write a thank you note to whoever puts the sign out each day. I do this for houses that are decorated extra special at Christmas time, too!"
Naturally, can you guess what I did the following morning? I stopped by the sign again, this time armed with a hand-written card to say thank you. Addressed to "The person who puts this sign out each morning," I expressed the way this person's simple act of kindness has touched my life and has helped remind me to spread positivity each day. I taped it to the side of the sign.
As I walked back to my car, I was in for a shock. An older man now stood in a nearby parking lot,
"Leaving a note?" he asked.
"Oh! Yes. Sorry. Are you the one who puts this sign out each day?" I inquired.
"I am."
"I just wanted to say thank you," I said. "I drive past it everyday on my way to work, and it always makes me smile!"
"That's what it's there for," he replied.
I explained my involvement with the Kindness Ambassadors group and how everyone was so inspired by his sign. He grinned from ear to ear.
"I'm Karin, by the way," I added.
"Mr. Burns," he replied. "I'm all about the positive lifestyle. I wanted to send the message 'live everyday to its fullest,' but I run a funeral home, so I have to be careful!"
As we talked, he said, "You know, I've been wanting to change up the sign every now and then— put a new message out there. If you have any ideas, let me know and I will put them up there!"
I was thrilled. I frequently write about how doing something kind for someone else can make you feel good— and here, again, was proof. I made a new friend and helped bring a smile to his day. But a great opportunity also arose! So, friends, thanks to your interest— someone in Syracuse, New York is looking for new inspiring messages to place on his sign. Please comment with your suggestions! I'll compile a list and send them his way on behalf of all who get involved. These inspiring sayings will be seen by countless people as they go about their lives. What an impact!
Mr. Burns said that he was going to wait and have his son check the sign today so he could discover the note. As I walked back to my car, he called out, "Glad to have met you. The Good Lord brought us together here today."
"Yes, he did," I said with a smile. And I truly believe it.