I recently spent a week off to look after my children, and during one of the mornings I had the opportunity to help out in my son's nursery class on "Deco Day", a day when all the youngsters (most about 4 years old) made various Easter objects and decorations.

I was placed on the Easter basket table, the children were given a pre-cut piece of cardboard on which to draw an Easter egg, flower or chick or simply something that was special to them.

There were two seats in front of me on the other side of the table and the little'uns moved from table to table, about six tables each with a different task, to finish each of their decorations. Every child that approached this new giant squeezed on to one of their tiny chairs approached me in a different way.

Some smiled at me, some simply looked at me as if to say "who on earth are you" and some were very quiet. When I smiled at the ones who didn't smile at me, virtually all of them smiled back. Smiling is infectious, it really is, and the more they smiled the more I smiled back.

When the decorating was done all of the children sat down to have their milk. I noticed that some of them were glancing over at me and as I smiled at them, they smiled back at me.

I had completely forgotten how infectious smiling is and I have done it today as I walked about the local high street. I have smiled at complete strangers and whilst not everyone was forthcoming in returning a smile, many did. It is incredible how this simple act that takes about a second to do, and costs nothing, can make you feel better.

Your mission this week is to smile at people you know and people you don't. That's it. Simple.

Be happy,

Dave.