Every day I am inspired by the efforts of people around the world, actively pursuing a better world for others. Hearing about the mission of Millie’s Bookshelf in San Diego, California is no exception. 

I am so grateful for the opportunity to share their mission. Withou...

People have big expectations for January 1st. For their birthday. For Halloween. (Just me on that last one?)

Nobody expects much from November 9th. I didn’t expect much from November 9th until 2011 when I was driving home on an average day during my senior year of high...

November 9th was my first childhood dog’s birthday. We celebrated by going to the pet store and all getting on the “pets only” scale with him when the employees weren’t looking. 

November 9th - according to an old diary - was my first kiss. I was fourteen and by the loo...

Intro:

My dear friend Laura Lavigne is the founder of the Center for Happiness in Anacortes, Washington.  I was extremely blessed to spend six weeks near the end of 2018 living with her in Anacortes and helping out in small ways at the Center. One of the first things La...

About halfway through October and halfway under my covers, I was desperately trying to fall asleep when I thought of my monthly Essence. 

Man, I struggled enough with “Accepting September,” how am I going to write a blog post in two weeks explaining that I, once again,...

No matter what I read in the news or what is going on in the world, I choose to believe that the world is kind and that people are good. Being e-connected to Jan Murry Lopez, the President and Founder of B.E.S.T. Service Dogs in Carmichael, California reinforced that b...

A couple weeks ago, a former colleague and dear friend reached out to me about an initiative she leads at her new job. After talking about it more, I could feel my own excitement growing and my own heart bouncing with that little jolt of inspiration you get when you fe...

When a friend told me that his friend’s son was in New York City for university and was interested in nonprofits, I immediately agreed to be connected. After our first coffee date, I was energized and inspired about service and community. Later, when my new friend’s fa...

One of my favorite things about running The Smile Project blog is all the inspiration I gain from talking with changemakers across the world. This week is no exception. Maulidi Hamisi Mwinyikai is the Executive Director of the Kishoka Youth Organization in Mtongwe, Mom...

My dad kept talking about the Mars Applefest. It was my first week back in Pennsylvania after almost four years in Manhattan. A sucker for fall festivals and homemade desserts, I finally conceded and found myself in the small town of Mars, Pennsylvania, 30 minutes outs...