Spreading happiness, kindness and originality

As we all know, life knows rhyme nor reason. Everybody has his or her own troubles and struggles; big or small.
Therefor I value messengers and messages of happiness, beauty, goodness and fun very highly. Not only do they help us through the day, but they also make the world a better place and the people in it  better persons.
I am e.g. a big fan of Oprah Winfrey. 

Oprah Winfrey. Source: castingnieuws.nl

Since years she brings positive messages to a huge, huge audience. Stories that inspire, surprise and touch people. Her Angel Network is fantastic. And her continious rewarding of persons who do good reinforces the idea that doing and being good is appreciated and returned. Even though this is in reality -unfortunately- not always the case, bringing that message over and over again MUST have a positive and inspiring effect on people all over the world. Whatever criticisme people may have on Oprah, I think she has definitely made the world a better place.


In the Netherlands we have a very inspiring young woman with highly original initiatives and ideas. Her name is Elena Simons. 

Elena Simons. Source: inspiratiepost.nl

One of her projects is the Happy Company (in dutch: Het Blijbedrijf). Stimulating people to start local, very informal groups to do sort of flashmob-like actions that change the day of the people confronted with them. E.g. unemployed people ringing at the doors of wealthy people and awarding them with a nice fruitbasket. Explaining to them: "Thank you for paying so much taxes that I can be on welfare from that. I just wanted to give something nice back to you.". Or handing out free hugs to people taking the train to work in the morning.
Initiatives that put smiles on the faces of the people involved. And that make them feel and think positive (at least temporarily) about that day and/or about the world. 

It may seem like nothing, but I am convinced of the power and contagious effects of being good and doing good. Of being original and positive. Of thinking outside the box.


Somebody who does something similar to Elena Simons is Patience Salgado. Aka KindnessGirl. 

Patience Salgado. Source:Bahieh K.

She uses terms like Guerilla Goodness and slogans like Spread the Kindness and Kindness changes everything.
She does things like leaving a plant or flower in a public space with a note attached saying :"It's going to be OK.". Or during back-to-school season she leaves a gift certificate for an ice cream cone in the pocket of new backpacks at a department store.

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/oprahs-lifeclass/Kindness-Girl-Patience-Salgado-Acts-of-Kindness_1/5#ixzz1eGJNISTe

My admiration for these three women is enormous. I find them so inspirational, original and cool!!! They are totally WOW.

And while we cannot all go around handing out free cars like Oprah does on her shows;-), we CAN all spread the kindness. Every day again, to whoever we encounter. And we can all get inspired and creative and do our own bit of Guerilla Kindness. Dare to be different, dare to be kind. For no other reason then just because....

Improving the world can start on a microscale. Let's all do our bit!!!