In a society that feels more isolated and lost than ever before, we relentlessly continue to stuff ourselves with junk food – materialism.
Hoping that buying things will make us happy. They never do.
Give A Flower, Get A Smile
Think about how different our world would be if more of us focused on the stuff that matters.
Nature. Connection. Generosity. Kindness.
What nutrition for our souls this would be.
Give Flower, Get A Smile
I Have An Idea
I have a concept that I think could help us do just that.
It’s simple.
GIVE A FLOWER to a stranger that you pass on the street.
My daughter came up with a terrific phrase that I love – GIVE A FLOWER, GET A SMILE.
It’s a small act of kindness that elicits a smile and feeling of pure delight for the receiver – and yourself.
Over the past 10 years, a plethora of research has shown that flowers increase the levels of positive energy and moods, reduce the likelihood of stress-related depression, and help people feel secure, relaxed, optimistic, and happy.
I’ve been testing this idea on the streets of Tel Aviv for the past 2 months. The response has been one of surprise, lots of smiles, open hearts, joy – and connection. The video above will give you a taste of my experience.
I Need Your Help
It’s time to test market GIVE A FLOWER, GET A SMILE in cities and towns throughout the world.
Will you be a beta marketer for GIVE A FLOWER, GET A SMILE?
This is what you need to do.
Buy 5 flowers and give them to strangers.
If you tend to be a bit timid, walk over to the person and say ‘I’d like to give you a free flower.’
If they ask why, say something like “I decided that it was important to slow down, connect with individuals I don’t know – and I can’t think of a better way of connecting when we pass each other on the street then giving you a flower.”
So far, the majority of the responses have been heartwarming. This morning, one woman said that I had touched her heart. Tears were streaming down her face.
If someone passes you by, says ‘no’, shakes their head ‘no’, or looks at you like your crazy, don’t worry. It happens. If you think of yourself as a sociologist or anthropologist studying human behavior, you can have a lot of fun if this happens.
Will you help me?
I would appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.
Different Ways of Participating In GIVE A FLOWER, GET A SMILE
- LIKE our new GIVE A FLOWER, GET A SMILE Community Facebook Page.
- SHARE Give A Flower’s Facebook page on Twitter, FB, Google+ and E-mail.
- GIVE flowers to strangers on streets.
- VIDEO your interactions.
- UPLOAD VIDEOS on YOU TUBE and put the link on our new community FB page.
- TAKE PHOTOS and upload them on our new GIVE A FLOWER, GET A SMILE Facebook Page.
- WRITE a post about your experience or a paragraph on our GIVE A FLOWER, GET A SMILE FB page.
I believe that by participating in this one act of kindness, of giving a flower to a stranger, you are making a significant impact on an individual’s soul and the spirit of the universe.
You are helping to make the world a more connected, loving, caring, and joyful place.
And isn’t that what we all want?
With gratitude and love –Fran
Fran is the author of the highly-acclaimed book, Digging Deep: Unearthing Your Creative Roots Through Gardening, which Andrew Weil, M.D., recommends as "a profound and inspiring book."
A graduate of the University of Chicago with Honors in Psychology, she is also a gardening and creativity expert, coach, inspirational speaker, CBS radio news gardening correspondent, and Huffington Post Contributor.
Learn more about Fran and get free resources that will help you improve your life at www.fransorin.com.
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