Have you read the delight-filled book "Plant a Kiss" which was co-planted by the lovely Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Peter H. Reynold? Sherry Richert Belul of Simply Celebrate invited 16 Lamp Lighters to "Plant a Kiss" in the world on Sunday, April 29, 2012 - to spread a little extra joyness, color, and magic.
Today we are posting about that experience.On the Plant a Kiss page, you can link to the artists, writers, healers, teachers, bloggers, and visionaries who participated. Every blog you visit and comment on, gives you you a chance to win one of many amazing prizes (*writing, photography, or dream-building classes; coaching sessions; artwork, jewelry - inspiration and mentors galore!!!).
For my part ... I found myself deeply pondering this day prior to the "event". What could I do? Something that I had noticed weeks before by the visionary Social Print Media struck a chord and resonated for this Project. Social Print has recently launched a "send an email 'eventually' app" called Slow Message where you can write an email and set delivery for days, weeks, months, even years in the future. What if this project did the same? What if I could not see the immediate effects but planted a kiss for merely the possibility of joy - ?
Mr.Bird and I wrote encouraging messages on paper. I illustrated the notes with simple drawings. To one dozen ballooons, we attached our messages, in the hopes that the sight of the balloons, and perhaps the eventual "finding" of the notes (once the balloons *popped*) would inspire awe and wonderment... eventually.
Soon after we released the balloons, we stood upon a bench to watch our little gems float far into the horizon til we could not see them anymore. When I looked around, I saw several people watching our balloons.
"I have to ask," said one fellow, "What is going on?"
I explained to him... Plant A Kiss Day.
"Oh," he said,"So good to remember the children."
But watching his face, and knowing our own inner joy at watching the balloons sail far into the ether, I thought... It is so good to remember that we are ALL children....
I do so hope our UP balloon message inspired by Amy and Peter, lifted someone's spirits on this day. Although it would be completely acceptable that no one find one of our messages, I do secretly hope that someone who may really need to hear the words we wrote finds our message(s) someday... not so that we can hear how we gave hope, but to know that somehow, though unseen, the Hope we planted today through a small act of Kindness .... bloomed, eventually.
Did you participate in Plant a Kiss Day? (*heck, why not make EVERY day a Kiss day?) If you hope over to the Blog Party Page on Simply Celebrate, leaving comments as you go on the Bloggers who Planted, you will be entered to win some amazing prizes! Why not check it out? Who knows - the items given just may plant a kiss in your heart today.... or ... eventually!
You can hop around and leave comments until the end of the day on Friday, May 4th, so if you want to help spread the word, that would be simply ducky. For every blog you comment on, you get another chance to win one of the great prizes donated by the project's participants.
XO
Totally crying here. When my friend lost her 6-year-old daughter suddenly and brutally, we gave all of the children at her funeral a balloon and they wrote Samantha a letter and sent it to her on the wind. This post reminded me of that day, and that beautiful little girl. Thank you for planting a kiss. I planted a few myself...
Posted by: [email protected] | May 01, 2012 at 03:49 AM
Beautiful!
Posted by: Jeannie | May 01, 2012 at 05:40 AM
This is fabulous - I love the 'red balloon' - in my imagination - I thought how magnificent that the little boy grown up found his red balloon again! I loved your idea of sharing a Kiss with all of us children here on mama Earth. So lovely. Thank you.
Posted by: Beth | May 01, 2012 at 07:08 AM
What a neat idea!
Posted by: Truestoryofwhatwas | May 01, 2012 at 10:20 AM
love it - hopeful reminders ..and to remember that we're ALL children!
x
Posted by: stefanie renee | May 01, 2012 at 12:53 PM
Oh how I would have love to seen those balloons. and yes we are all children, and ballons make us all smile. so beautiful.
Posted by: Jennifer | May 01, 2012 at 01:00 PM
Love it!
Posted by: jenni | May 01, 2012 at 01:17 PM
fabulous!!!
Posted by: kristina clark | May 01, 2012 at 01:26 PM
I love the time released, anonymous, love, comfort and playfulness of this idea. Beautiful:)
Posted by: carolyn | May 01, 2012 at 04:02 PM
I love the reminder that when we "float things out" into the universe, we never know where they may land or whom they may affect. But isn't it nice to know that what we're sending out we're doing so with heart-centered intention? What a beautiful experience. Thank you for sharing it!
Posted by: Melissa | May 01, 2012 at 04:16 PM
What a fantastic beautiful act Tiffany,
I love the idea of the balloons drifting off to spread their joy.
I try to smile and spread positivity everyday...its such a simple jesture but can mean so much to the recipient.
It also makes the giver feel good too, so it's a win, win situation.
Thanks for sharing you :D
Posted by: Neesie | May 01, 2012 at 05:01 PM
How fun, and I'm sure your messages will reach the right people in some way! Thanks for sharing your plant a kiss story!
Posted by: Lisa | May 01, 2012 at 06:00 PM
how fun! messages tied to balloons! love it! thanks for plating kissess!
Posted by: alison | May 01, 2012 at 06:52 PM
I imagine that your uplifting words will be found by people when they need them most.
This reminds me of ways one can make a difference and pay things forward.
Posted by: DogsMom | May 01, 2012 at 07:33 PM
Awesome idea! and you presented it so beautifully in your blog... Love love love your video!!! Thank you for planting a kiss and sharing!
Posted by: Jaggedtouchstudio.wordpress.com | May 01, 2012 at 09:15 PM
Sooo sweet! ♥
Happy Plant a Kiss day indeed. :)
Thanks for the inspiration!
Love,
Jen ♥
Posted by: Jennifer Hagedorn Dizon | May 01, 2012 at 11:09 PM
This is my favorite story so far. Balloons, aaaaaah this is so much fun! I like the video too, so nice to see the work in progress, it inspires me deeply. :)
Posted by: Lindsay | May 02, 2012 at 04:53 AM
I hate to include a downer comment on here, because your motivation and ideas are beautiful and lovely, but I do hope in the future you choose to release something more environmentally friendly than balloons. I work with wildlife and have seen first hand the damage that balloons can do to wildlife in the environment (regardless of whether or not you buy the biodegradable kind.)
Please keep dreaming and thinking big!
Posted by: Kate | May 02, 2012 at 05:59 AM
XO back at ya! What a nice story! And another kiss!
Thank you.
Posted by: Cheryl | May 02, 2012 at 03:13 PM
Did you get any feedback? Do you know if anyone found your planted kisses?
Posted by: e from TO | May 02, 2012 at 04:23 PM
Oh, I am teary. That video is so gorgeous. I can feel all of your love and sweet spirit in it. And whimsy and delight. And hope. It makes me so happy to think that people found your just-for-them notes. Kisses!
Thank you for being the kind of person who would just jump right in and say "yes" to this. Grateful. Heart full. Happy.
xo
Posted by: Sherry Richert Belul | May 02, 2012 at 04:53 PM
Your awesome and I have much love for your life and your creativity.
Posted by: leah J. Lynn | May 02, 2012 at 05:07 PM
This is incredible! I love it.
Posted by: Lené | May 02, 2012 at 05:12 PM
((YOU)) I am so sad to hear of the loss of Samantha. :( I like to think that perhaps she could see those balloons from above and read every note. Thank you for sharing with me. XO
Posted by: Tiffany Bird | May 02, 2012 at 05:35 PM
You're so sweet. That would make such a lovely tale that he did find that balloon again... i think we all do, eventually. Thank you. XO
Posted by: Tiffany Bird | May 02, 2012 at 05:36 PM