Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Everyone's Using Smile Cards


--by worldcitizen, posted Aug 14, 2011

My sister and her family were visiting from Mexico last week.  Naturally, I took the chance to introduce them to as many beautiful things as I could - including Smile Cards! 

When we were about to cross the toll both at San Francisco's Bay Bridge I thought it might be the best time to explain the pay-it-forward idea. So I pulled up to the toll booth, paid our $6 fare, and said, "This is another $6 for the car behind us. Can you give 'em this Smile Card to pay forward?"  Anyone who has done this knows that it gives you a joyous high.
 
All of a sudden the car driver who is visible in your rear view mirror becomes a part of you in some unexplicable way. But today, the experience went even further!  The toll booth attendant said, "You know, everybody seems to using these cards. We get them a lot around here. It is really beautiful to witness this. How can I get one?"
 
I mean, wow! One small act at a time, by so many people, is really starting to add up to the point that toll booth attendants know about Smile Cards!
 
Sure enough, I pulled out another card and said, "Ma'am, here you go.  This Smile Card is for you to use when you do a pay-it-forward act of kindness."
 
All four of us drove off with an exhilarating feeling. I didn't need to give any extra explanation of Smile Cards. They had seen them in action!
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Readers Comments

Bluebell wrote: Smile cards are taking the world :-) that is just amazing :-) Thank you for sharing your story and for keeping those smile cards moving. Love and Light, Bluebell
MakeSomeoneSmile wrote: The more the merrier! How wonderful he sees them often. It just goes to show that we can in fact change the world one small act at a time!
Sydney wrote: How incredible that the toll booth attendants are actually used to getting smile cards! Amazing!
wayfarer wrote: Ha! Seems we are making a difference :-) Thank you for letting us know. Love!
cabbage wrote: Awesome!! The impact of many small deeds, indeed :-) Thanks for sharing!
bwawili wrote: Wow! Smile Cards are "revolutionizing" toll booths! Love it. :)
db2xs wrote: This is wonderful! My friend has used this while paying the toll before. It is a beautiful act :-)
annjav wrote: Wow! Talk about positive feedback. That's great!
Joy wrote: Wow! What a great idea. Glad to see that smile cards are spreading. Thanks for sharing. Many blessings to you.
moral12 wrote: Wonderful story! Even neater was the fact that the attendant had already heard of the smile cards. Kudos to you! You made me smile today!

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