Who doesn't crave a smile, after the tragedy in France? Each of us is hungry for comfort, and reassurance that evil will not swallow us up. 

A man in India wanted to bring generosity to the poorest people in his country. Not all of them. A few. Rather than blatant charity, he decided to perform sleight of hand. Someone nervously gives him a one rupee coin, abracadabra! he hands back a hundred.  The smiles reach even me across the globe. 

We can do that. Not with copper coins and paper, but with our actions. This week I was with a friend who was paying for our lunch. She discreetly asked the waitress to add the tab of the servicemen in a booth across from us to hers. Abracadabra! When they went to leave and found the bill paid they probably smiled. 

A mother on my road had a freak accident with her car when she forgot to put it in park. It rolled over her, breaking seven ribs. With a few clicks I set up a meal schedule, and abracadabra! Each day a new person packs up pasta and cookies, and leaves them at her door. For three solid weeks. 

A bride and groom invited their guests to do acts of kindness, in lieu of gifts. The ripple of smiles spread out like a flock of birds at daybreak. 

The people we live with are thirsty for kindness too. It does not make the news, but sweetness isn't diluted by familiarity. Last night one of the twins served pie with ice cream. Abracadabra! Warm nestled up against cold.

I cannot ease the pain of Paris. But it is within my influence to bring a smile to the faces around me. Every day.