It seems these days that there aren't a lot of reasons for people to smile. I go on Facebook and I don't see very many happy posts anymore. Now I understand that the latter is a reflection of the current state of our world right now. I believe that there are simple, yet meaningful things we could all do that would everyone smile a little bit more.

1. Put away your shopping cart

I understand when it's raining or snowing outside you don't want to spend any more time out in the parking lot then you have too. But the other shoppers and I find it extremely annoying to have our cars rammed by runaway shopping carts or have difficulty finding a spot to park because someone left their cart out. It's even more of a hassle for the people who's job it is to put the carts away. Now because you couldn't take an extra twenty seconds to put your cart away the workers have to scramble all over the parking lot, making their job a lot more difficult. If we could all be responsible people and put our carts in the designated spots in the parking lot that would make me smile.

2. Hold the door for someone

I don't think it should matter if you are a female or a male, hold the door open! Hold the door for someone if their arms are full and hold the door if their arms are empty. I've never seen anyone get mad because someone held a door for them, in fact, I've seen the exact opposite: happiness. Show someone you care, even if it's just for a couple of seconds.

3. Pay It Forward

Now obviously you can't do this all the time or you can't ever afford too, but if you get the chance, make someone's day. Pay for the person ordering coffee behind you. Pay for someone's gas. I've only had it happen to me once but it made my day. Just watch this video of an entire community that started paying forward after the death of a little boy to see what I mean.

4. Volunteer

Nothing gives me a greater high in life than volunteering. There are thousands of charities and organizations in this country that depend on volunteers to get work done. Habitat Humanity is a big one, but you can also volunteer at your local animal shelter. I know a lot of shelters are always looking for people to walk dogs and play with the animals. Or sign up to be a volunteer for Make-A-Wish. At one event volunteers were needed to cheer on and ask for autographs from a little girl whose wish it was to be a celebrity for the day. Another wish involved people making signs and cheering for a little boy who wanted to push the buttons in an elevator and ride the elevator to the top of the building.

5. Do something for someone

This could literally be anything. Help someone mow their lawn or rake up leaves. if someone drops something near you help them pick it up. Give up your seat on the subway or the bus. Here are a few more examples of real life things people have done to help out others.

Even this little boy, who has lost everything, wanted to make other people smile. When he had all the reasons in the world not to smile, he found a way.

6. Give to the troops

Whether or not you support war I believe that everyone should support the people who are sacrificing their time with their family and even their lives so that we can be safe back home. Donate an old cell phone or become a pen pal with a soldier. Send a care package, sites like Military.com, operationcarepackages.org, and veteransunited.com provide lists to give you an idea what to send troops and how to send packages. One woman went a little above and beyond in her efforts to send care packages.