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.
Like Nature, Connection, Generosity, and Kindness.
What nutrition for our souls this would be.
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 can happen. If you think of yourself as a sociologist or anthropologist studying human behavior, it can actually be a lot of fun!
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
What a great idea and cute video. Heading over to the FB page.
Wendy – Am glad you enjoyed! Would love for you to get involved with the campaign. Fran
LOVE this idea Fran! I’m sharing it now and will get some flowers this week to share with others. What a tremendous way to let nature connect us. Who can’t smile when given a flower? 🙂
Thank you!
Dear Karen –
Thanks so much for your kind words and for getting involved by actually giving away flowers. You are right. In the short time I’ve been handing flowers out, to watch and blank/mindless/even sad face transform into a smiling one is magical. Please video or take photos of your interactions. With gratitude – Fran
Wonderful idea Fran I love it, what a kind thoughtful daughter you have and i can see this bringing smiles around the world Thank YOu
Dear Suzie-
Yes – I have a phenomenal daughter who is totally supportive in all that I do. Thanks for your supportive words.
Beautiful Fran, you certainly put a smile on my face today.
Elle – Thanks sweet lady. You have a beautiful smile that brings love to the world.
Wonderful idea, Fran! I will definitely support your cause! Flowers can warm the soul!
Dear Cathy –
Flowers are extremely powerful tool. Tons of research has been done on the effect they have on our mood. But we intuitively already know that. Thanks so much for supporting this germinating community 🙂 Fran
I love this, and just scheduled an afternoon of giving flowers, and getting smiles, for 2/14, Valentine’s Day.
You inpsired me! Thank you.
xoxox
Sue
Sue Kearney –
You are brilliant for thinking of doing it on Valentine’s Day. Please send in a video – even a lousy one – and/or photos of you with the individuals to whom you give flowers. With gratitude – Fran
What a great idea! Sharing the kindness Fran: http://www.thebridgemaker.com/give-a-flower-get-a-smile/
Thanks so much Alex!
LOVE this!! It’s like giving away a little bit of love to strangers. It is world changing! 🙂
Jessica- Thanks so much. It will be ‘world changing’ when the concept gains traction and individuals and businesses become involved. Lots of work to make that happen but I’m up for it!!! Fran
Fran – this is such wonderful idea – the beauty is in its simplicity and thoughtfulness. Thank you for being an inspiration! ♥
Corinne-
Thank you for your kind words Corinne and taking the time to re-post your comment. The truth is this – giving flowers to strangers on the street fills me with joy and inner peace. It also acts as a reminder, Corinne, that if we do things that give us pleasure, we are more likely to have a positive effect on others. With gratitude- Fran
No better week to start this. It wasn’t giving a stranger flowers but before I read this post, I had sent off a couple bouquets of flowers to friends:) Does that count?
Sounds like a lovely idea – you made so many people smile in the video, Fran, and even the babies smile!
Dear Vishnu – Am so glad that you watched the video and enjoyed it. Of course- practically any act of kindness has an effect on the giver and receiver. And certainly having someone send flowers is a thoughtful and beautiful gift. BUT what differentiates ‘Give A Flower, Get A Smile’ is because it is specifically about giving a flower to a stranger. It’s not only an act of kindness but a way of connecting. And for shy/introverted individuals, it also is an act of courage to push through the fear and do it. I hope you give it a try Vishnu. And as always, thanks so much for your support. Warmly, Fran
Fran, I finally got around to chronicling my inspired-by-you Love Bombing on Valentine’s Day. The link is right below in the Comment Luv. For some reason I can’t put the link in the comment itself.
So much appreciation for you!
xoxox
Sue
Sue- I so love what you did. Placed a comment on your post. Gutsy, honest, and fun!! Thanks for participating. Will be super if you can get some of your friends and readers involved. With gratitude- Fran
Thank you for published because I have been learn a lot of knowledge.
With pleasure suriyan. Fran
Hello! This post could not be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my good ckefcffekdbcgcdf
Am glad you enjoyed it! Fran