How can YOU brighten someone else’s day? It may be a thoughtful gesture, a kind word or simply sharing a smile. 

Our guest on this episode of Your History Your Story is Michael Ray, founder of Smile Project Louisville, an organization created to affect attitude and behaviors through smiling and small random acts of kindness. 

Over the years Michael’s life had been affected by some tragic and difficult times such as the death of a child, job insecurity, divorce and the challenges of parenting a special needs daughter. One day in 2018 while Michael was feeling particularly down about the possibility of losing his job, he went to a Wendy’s drive through to get some lunch. While giving his order, he encountered an employee whose smile and kind demeanor lifted his spirits greatly. That moment, coupled with the joy he had always felt from the smiles of his precious, non-verbal daughter, changed the course of Michael’s life. 

Since its’ founding, Smile Project Louisville has gained momentum. Today, you can find pictures and videos of Michael’s acts of kindness toward total strangers on social media. He has followers from all over the world and has also ventured into public speaking with the hope of touching more and more lives with smiles and love.

Photo(s): Courtesy of Michael Ray

Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man

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http://smileprojectlouisville.com