I suppose I’m turning 32 this week. Growing up I remember hearing [some] adults in my life say things about how they didn’t give much thought to their birthdays or that “it was just another day.” I never subscribed to that. I love birthdays, especially other peoples. But from a young age, I also remember figuring out we could use our birthdays for good. In elementary school, my friend had a birthday party and asked people to bring supplies for the local animal shelter “in lieu of gifts.”...

“I wonder if I’ve ever cried at this cross street.” I’m leaving the third doctor's office in two days, finally addressing the pain that hasn’t left my foot in ten days. I bite my tongue until my eyes dry. “Fast girl spring” I joked with my brother last night. Having run hard through the winter, I was moving into the sunnier season feeling strong and feeling hungry. With my fourth marathon—and my first international one—on the calendar, I felt unstoppable. “I got through two weeks straight...

The Smile Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to spreading Happiness through intentional acts of kindness, youth service clubs, and daily gratitude practices. Our flagship program finds its home in the SPARK Clubs. SPARK stands for “Strengthening Positivity and Reinforcing Kindness” and these groups are formed by inspiring young people who want to make their schools and communities kinder and friendlier places to be. Today, I want to thank the graduating leadership team from the...