From a Simple Sign Comes a Smile

Massoud Adibpour from Washington DC., took the simple concept of a holding a sign in public and turned into a way of touching the lives of strangers.  I came across the following YouTube video via a Twitter link and was instantly inspired by how such a simple act could have such a powerful impact http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EwYLZmkUxo

 We spend our days dutifully following the directions of signs; the hexagonal red STOP sign, the NO PARKING sign, the ONE WAY sign, the DO NOT ENTER sign and the list goes on and on.

Yet, how many of us would “Honk if you Love Someone”, “Don’t be So Hard on Yourself” or my favourite, “Make Today Count”?

 Massoud shared some of the emails that he received from strangers sharing how seeing his signs made a difference in their lives.  People would purposefully drive along a stretch of the road, knowing that they would pass his sign and begin their day with a smile.

 If a sign from a complete stranger can have such a powerful impact on one’s life, imagine what receiving a sign from someone who knows you and cares about you would mean? We all know the feeling of receiving a positive text message or a #FF from a friend or loved one.  One of the positive aspects of our technologically rich world is the ability to instantly reach out and connect with others. Yet, Adibpour did not go techno with his message, he simply took a marker and a large piece of cardboard. It was not how he shared it, but the fact that he saw a need to bring a smile into the lives of complete strangers.

 Now imagine a school where each day everyone was greeted with a sign that gave them hope and inspiration for a positive day of learning?

 What would that sign say?