Today Is World Smile Day, Give someone a free compliment

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Every year, the first Friday of October is very special because it is designated as World Smile Day. It fell on October 3 in 2025. A very simple yet strong concept. It is a day that has been set to remind people that a smile and a kind gesture go a long way in affecting the life of another person.

There's so much bad news out there, and people are going through a lot, a day like this if taken seriously by all can really help a lot of such people.

Smiling is not only a sign of happiness, it has the power to cause someone else to smile too when they see the expression on your face, it's in a way, contagious.

The day encourages people to do good deeds and give this smiles generously to anyone they come across. Imagine having to walk through town and everyone that meets you smiles at you, that would bring some joy in your day and that's the core purpose of this day.

A little history behind world smile day.

World Smile Day was instituted by Harvey Ball, a commercial artist from Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S. Harvey made this classic smiley face in 1963. The smiley face is basic a very simple yellow circle, with two black dots for eyes and a curvy line for the mouth. There's a chance you've seen this image before, below is the one that made it.

Screenshot of the artists take from this site

Harvey designed it for an insurance company, and the intention was to promote positivity among the employees of the firm. The smiley face overtime, became very popular and was widely used for merchandise, advertisements and decorations.

But when his art became famous, Harvey felt he lost control of the use of the symbol without people thinking of its original meaning. So he decided he would find a way to revive the spirit of kindness and happiness that the smiley was initially meant to symbolize. And that was how he founded World Smile Day in 1999.

He envisioned a day when people would embrace kindness, think of others and not just themselves and make the world a better place by performing some acts of love and generosity towards others. World Smile Day symbolizes more than just giving smiles. It is about spreading positivity, joy and most of all, goodwill.

The day was founded based on the assumption that even the smallest act of kindness can have the biggest effect on the life of someone. This is clearly factual and not just assumptions because some people have been impacted by little acts of kindness from others.

The official motto of World Smile Day is, "Do an act of kindness, help one person smile."

The main message in this celebration is that you don't need to make a very big gesture to make a difference in the world. Something very simple like helping your neighbor with a little task, giving a complimentnto someone, even a stranger, holding the door for someone or if you can't, just smiles at a stranger should be enough to brighten up their day and also the world. People celebrate this day in many ways and you can find a creative way to make anyone smile.

Some have created Smile Walls, where people contribute in different ways like perhaps writing or drawing whatever makes them happy.

Some wear outfits with smiley faces in the buttons, printed on the T Shirts or posting smiling emoji stickers to promote the day.

Others create a trend of sharing their smiling pictures or stories about their experiences with kindness on social media. Schools, Workplaces and Organizations also host events which bring everyone together to celebrate kindness. All these acts has one purpose, making everyone happy in any little way we can.

It is more than just a good thing to do for happiness, it is good for your own health too. Smiling triggers the human brain to release three chemicals, serotonin, dopamine and endorphins. These chemicals give us the feel good sensations, it reduces our stress and also lowers blood pressure all of which help to improve your mood.

The moment you smile at someone, chances are they will most probably smile back, and that sets off a chain reaction of happiness and that's the point of celebrating World Smile Day.

So for today try to smile at someone, offer a kind word, meet a need for someone, share an uplifting message, anything to get in touch with your inner kind self. These little gestures have the power to bring joy to others and make this world a happier, more caring place. Happiness and kindness are a mighty force and it's enough to make lives better.

A smile or a kind act can really help make the life of anybody, be it the giver or the recipient a little easier. This day encourages the world to think about others and spread joy, all thanks to Harvey Ball.

Happy World Smile Day, continue your day with smiles to everyone.