MUKILTEO — The event is planned for Friday afternoon at one of the city’s busiest intersections.
Stressed out commuters will be greeted by a group of people wearing yellow shirts and waving signs.
Nope, they won’t be campaigning for a political cause nor trying to draw attention to a local tax preparation service.
The event is called a “happiness sprinkling.” The signs they’ll wave include messages such as “Life is Good,” and “Live Your Dream.” The goal is to bring a smile to the face of passing commuters.
“I grew up in Mukilteo,” said Penny Kellam, who’s organizing the event on Mukilteo Speedway. “I know the area well,” she said.
She described the mood at the intersection as one with some crankiness. “I thought it might be a good place,” she said. “No protesting, just happiness.”
Kellam said she heard about the happiness events through a friend. “This will be my first one,” she said. “I love the idea.”
Similar events have taken place around the country in cities including Riverside, California, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Seattle. Cities in Europe are beginning to join in the happiness sprinkling movement, with one held in Preston, England, last month.
The Happiness Sprinkling Project has its own webpage and Facebook site. But it all began in May 2012 in what was envisioned as a one-and-done-event in Anacortes.
Backers of opposing political viewpoints stood on opposite corners. “We decided to shake things up by standing on a corner holding signs saying, “Life is Good,” and “You Are Loved,” said Laura Lavigne, director of the Anacortes Center for Happiness. “Then we put the signs away. We never thought to use them again.”
But about four months later, she was invited to hold a similar event in Ballard. She said she put the signs in the trunk of her car wondering: “Let’s see if people in Seattle enjoy that.” Once the event began, drivers began honking and waving, she said. Even passing bus drivers blared their horns in support.
“I decided to create a movement, the Happiness Sprinkling Project,” Lavigne said. Word soon spread. “Over the past three and a half years, we’ve had sprinklings all over the country,” she said.
Lavigne said it doesn’t bother her one bit that some people may consider the events silly. “Yes it is silly,” she said. “Why not be silly?
One reason for the growing popularity of happiness sprinkling events may be that they require no money and no particular skills, Lavigne said. “All you have to do is show up. You’re turning stares into smiles.”
Anyone who would like to join in on Mukilteo’s upcoming event is welcome, Kellam said. The event is planned rain or shine.
“It seems like a cool project bringing some good spirit and warm wishes to our community,” Mayor Jennifer Gregerson said. “We look forward to welcoming them to Mukilteo.”
Lavigne admits that it’s not the most serious cause to be involved in. “We’re not curing cancer,” she said. “We’re not feeding starving children.” The aim of the project she said, is something more basic and simple.
People tell her that they were having a horrific day, but seeing the signs “completely turned my day around,” she said. That person might go home and be nicer to their spouse or the kids because of it, she said. “It’s the ripple effect. Each person, I believe, will act a little more kindly.”
Sharon Salyer; 425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com.
Events
The Happiness Sprinkling Project has planned an event from 2:15 to 4 p.m. Feb. 12 at the intersection of Mukilteo Speedway and Paine Field Way. More information is available from run.mukilteo@yahoo.com. A similar event is planned from 1 to 3 p.m. March 5 in Lynnwood near the Barnes and Noble store at 19401 Alderwood Mall Parkway.
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