Leaving notes in unusual places like between books on the shelves of a bookstore or a home library can bring a special bit of joy to someone’s day.

Even if it doesn’t always seem so, life really is beautiful.  Especially when you find a note that tells you so out of the blue. While this special art of leaving notes and quotes for those we love and care for is as old as time,  there’s a similar kind of leaving notes that is worth a deeper appreciation. 

A few months ago, a friend of mine invited me to a Facebook event that was all about leaving anonymous notes in anonymous places for people you didn’t know.  These notes could be as short as one word, like, “smile,”  or as long as a meaningful and uplifting quote of say one to three sentences.  The object was to leave these notes in random places throughout your day for someone you may have never met before to find when you weren’t there anymore.  In turn you knew that you’d made someone’s day a little brighter. You’d spread the love so to speak.  When the day was done, life was beautiful to everyone who participated.  A lot of smiles.  A lot of happy.

I find myself looking back at that whole experience, and I realize that it really stuck with me. More people should find the time to leave beautiful and anonymous notes and quotes more often.  Think about it.  There are so many opportunities to put a smile on others’ faces as well as our own.  It offers us each an opportunity to really think about things that make others happy.

So where are some good places to leave that special message?  That note could be on a post-it to be found on a haphazard wall or stuck to a t-shirt at the store.  It could be found on a school locker or on a car.  That note might have a small quote that, in its own simple way, makes someone feel that, yes, life is beautiful.

Maybe it says something like, “You’re awesome,” or, “You look great today,” or how about, “I followed the rainbow and it led me to your smile.” (Okay, that last one is hopefully from a dear friend or boyfriend.)  Maybe it’s a bit more philosophical of a quote that says, “Smile and the world smiles with you,” or, “Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have.”

The coffee maker at work or home also makes for a great place to leave or find a small but meaningful quote that will brighten someone’s day. Maybe your own? It’s not a bad idea to leave notes in unusual (or ordinary) places for yourself.  It takes very little effort. Doing something nice for yourself puts you in a better mood.  It also lets yourself know that, “Hey, I’m all right in my book,” which in the end is one of the best things about a beautiful life — You.  An appreciation for yourself can go a long way in brightening your mood and lifting your confidence. 

Once you get used to leaving notes and quotes that make someone smile, whether you know them or not, it becomes second nature. Not to mention it feels oh so good.