Smille for the Picture

Today is a cloudy and cold day in Lima, Peru; I bundled up and decided to go for a walk to find out where people go on a Sunday afternoon. 
At the park I found a lot happening; older people dancing to Latin beats, street artists, street vendors, lots of activities where people were enjoying the afternoon.
While touring, a group of young ladies approached me and handed me a wrapped candy with a written note with the word “Smile.”  
One of the girls said to me, “give us a big smile for the picture.” I smiled and click, the picture was taken and they moved along.
“Hey, what kind of project are you guys working on?” I asked.
“We give away candy in exchange for a smile; we give sweets and take pictures to make people smile. It’s a cold day and people are a little cranky. With this candy we remind them that God loves them and has given them one more day so they should be happy.”
Wow, what a great concept, this group of girls are not asking for anything in return, they just want you to smile.
Researchers have found that smiling on purpose can help people feel better; it changes brain chemistry, improves people’s health and makes them optimistic. 
So, I take my hat off to these great crusaders. Their only mission is to get people to smile, to make them feel good and to stay hopeful.
Cheers!!!

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” - Leo Buscaglia

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