Hi all! Back when I first started doing the Weekly Smile I said it could be about anything that made you smile (well, anything non-hurtful, non-discriminatory, etc.). I gave examples of different things and included seeing a movie, a photo or even reading a news story.

Which brings us to this week’s smile.

It is often pretty discouraging to read the news these days, but we feel we have to, so we are aware. But then, every so often, they sneak a bit of good news in.

A couple of days ago BBC put up a story about a poor 19-year-old taxi driver in Liberia who returned $50,000 that he had found. Some people thought he was an idiot for his honesty, but in the end he was rewarded far beyond what $50,000 could have given him – he was rewarded a future. He had dropped out of school at 9 years of age to earn a living. For his honesty, besides gifts of cash, he was given a place at a prestigious boarding school (studying with kids half his age!) and a chance for a full scholarship at an American University (it didn’t say which one) once he finishes his school in Liberia. He has thrown himself into education with all of his energy and has dreams, dreams that he can make come true now that he has been given (earned) the opportunity.

The story itself gave me a big smile. A super honest person who did the right thing only because it is right being rewarded in such a meaningful manner.

But then it went on.

The young students he is with all like him, despite the age difference. But more than that, when other motorcycle taxi drivers were asked about it, they were all happy for him and wished him luck. Perhaps even a little proud that one of their own had made good.

Isn’t it nice to stumble on a story like this?

So that is my smile for the week, a news story that has a happy ending, a story about an honest man who is rewarded for his honesty.

What made you smile?

(A reminder – There will not be a Smile Recap post next week).

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Come on, I’m sure you smiled at least once last week.  Why don’t you share it?  I hope you can join in!

Here is list of “rules” and guiding ideas.  If you don’t have time to read it right now, just remember that this is an exercise to spread positivity.  Don’t smile about the misfortune of others.  Don’t smile in a way to excludes others.  Make sure a 12 year old can read it.

To join in, write a post to share your smile and then leave a comment on this post with a link to your smile.  Or, if you prefer, do a pingback to this post (pingback = have a link from your post to this one) (Note – pingbacks have been very inconsistent – please leave a comment :) ).   You can post any time until next Sunday evening (to be simple, I will say midnight GMT, which is 7 PM Sunday for me).  Note – I am no longer compiling the smiles into a weekly post as I used to – Sorry, I do not have time.