SMILES feat. the Happy Smiley Face

This day I learned..

1. That Happy Smiley Face right here in the photo, the one you see in almost everything from buttons, coffee mugs, jars, shirts, neckties, watches, bracelets, balloons, notebooks, greeting cards, sleeping bags and even on kid's undies originated from the City of Worcester, Massachusetts, created by Harvey R. Ball in 1963.

2. The Happy Smiley Face was designed to boost the morale of the employees in two newly merged insurance companies. And while it was used solo for some time, the phrase 'Have a Nice Day!' was later added to the Happy Smiley Face.

3. Mr. Ball was paid $45 for his artwork. Who would have thought that 45 years later, his $45 artwork naturally became the most widely used symbol of Happiness around the globe!

Thanks to the SmileyCollector for the info! www.smileycollector.com

As I was cleaning our garage the other day, a boy approached me, he was barefooted, sweat was dripping from his forehead, his small hands were dirty, his skin was no longer that of a young boy, it looked like it was already suffering from the damage of the scorching sun. I knew at once that he was tired. He offered to throw away the garbage in exchange of two pesos. I told him to come back later, so he can pick up the garbage bag when I am done. Thinking that he was gone, I proceeded with my task. But I was wrong.

I cleaned, he waited.

Finally, I reached into my pocket for some coins. I was sorry I did not have my purse with me that time so all I gave him was a few coins.

I approached him, told him he doesn't have to do anything for me. I handed him the money and asked him to go home since it was already getting dark. He smiled at me. REALLY smiled at me. I smiled back. But I was so sorry it was all I could give the poor child.

I saw him again yesterday, he was still barefooted, his hands were still dirty, his skin looked almost burnt, it seemed like he was on the street again, collecting other people's garbage in exchange for two pesos. He wasn't a pretty sight. Yet, from across the street he smiled at me and again, I smiled back.

YOU. Have you smiled for someone today? Try to brighten up some one's day. Give a hearty smile to your mom, to your dad, to your brother or sister, to your friends.

SMILES- the more they are spent, the more of them remains.

All for Charity

Yesterday, I was surfing the internet for volunteer works in my hometown. Involving myself in charity work is something I've been wanting to do for the longest time, and since I'm not yet busy with my summer internship, I've decided that now's the time to get started on my service journey. Fortunately, I came across Charity Focus and decided to become a volunteer. My info-session lasted about 15 minutes. By completing this info-session, I can start volunteering on some of their open-projects. Charity Focus is composed of volunteers from all over the world so basically, there will be a lot of communication going on in the form of e-mail between volunteers.

I instantly signed up for KarmaTube and I am still waiting for my Project Team Approval. Being a part of KarmaTube, my responsibility would be to scout for inspiring and meaningful online videos so we can broadcast it to farther corners of the world. They are accepting volunteers internationally so I guess it suits me just fine. I am a hundred and one percent behind their mission to BE THE CHANGE, while using the internet as the primary instrument of service. Don't you think this is way worth my time than going online to find the latest showbiz chika on PEP or even to update my friendster account? hahah.

Here's my chance to take part in creating a better world, at the same time bringing forth inner transformation with the help of selfless service.



Now that's how I define SUMMER FUN. Talk about the best gift I can give myself and others too this summer!

Foreword

I guess this is the hard part. The introduction- the part wherein I am supposed to introduce myself to the world full of people WHO: 1. may only have the slightest interest on what I have to say and 2. who doesn’t care at all. What’s important though, is that I know exactly who I am.

Uh oh. There goes the inevitable question, the primary obstacle in this so called hard-intro-part.

My life is basically a series of ups and downs, so I guess who I am now is not the same as who I’ve been and who I am now may not be the same as who I will become in the future. See, I am who I wanted to be, but most of the time, I am who I needed to be.

During pre- school I was this happy-go-lucky kid who enjoys going to school just to receive praises from her teacher. I enjoyed being the teacher’s pet. Pre- school was the time I learned that children are not at all the same but they are not very different from one another either. The moment I set foot on the school grounds, what caught my attention was the crying of children who basically do not know what to do since their moms were not allowed to accompany them inside the classroom. You see, I was like, ‘Seriously. It’s not like it’s the end of the world.’ I really thought that was funny because unlike them, pulling away from mom’s grip was no big deal for me. It’s something I did willingly minus the wailing. So in pre-school I learned two things about myself. First is that I enjoy being the center of attention and second, I learned that at a very young age, I can stand on my own and discover the world around me without fear- I am independent.

Without fear, huh? Well, for the following years of my life my own self impression turned out to be nothing but just an impression of a brave kiddo. Through the years I’ve discovered many things about myself. Thanks to the countless times that I am extremely happy that I felt my heart was leaping for joy, also to the times that I am JUST okay, nothing more, nothing less. And of course, to the number of times I cried my heart out to sleep because my grandpa and my loving aunt both passed away unexpectedly, because I felt that I failed myself time and time again or because I had a fight with a friend, or I felt that mom just don’t understand, or because dad who has been my number one supporter of all time failed me for the very first time in my life, or because I had my heart broken. I am no longer the four year old kid who was not afraid to step out of her shell and show the world what she’s got. I felt vulnerable.

I’ve discovered my fears and my desire to be always on the spotlight slowly faded away. I understood that although this is my life, it doesn’t have to be about me all the time. There are the people I love.. Suddenly it’s not just about my happiness but their happiness too. At this point I’m proud to say that I love myself but I am definitely not self centered, I embrace life’s irony. I cry every time I feel like I failed but I wipe those tears, stand up and try to bounce back higher. I am happy when the people I cherish most are happy. I’d like to think that I am simple. But then again, my life’s a series of ups and downs. Tomorrow may require not just the simple ‘me’. So chances are, tomorrow I’ll be different. That being said, I can assure you that I’ll still be the person who:

Thank God for her wonderful life (major and minor details included!), laughs like she’s having the time of her life, loves her family and friends dearly, loves deeply, and ready for the world.