A saying on a wall plaque managed to actually enter my consciousness last weekend. It says, “Scatter seeds of happiness.” And I believe we should all try to do that. I think we should all sow happiness as best as we are able.

You might do that by telling someone who made a deep, positive impact on your life, and who you never thanked, what all you think about his or her contribution to your life. You honor people when you take notice, and express your love in this way.

But scattering seeds of happiness doesn’t have to apply only to dear friends. You can give a boost to a total stranger just by mentioning her loving smile or his loving action.

Everybody likes to be appreciated, and if we all reinforce the positive and the love, it will only grow, because what we reinforce psychologically is what we get. So be careful what you reinforce, even if it’s just by giving it attention and energy.

You can even make some people’s day by simply acknowledging their existence. Make eye contact, and project your positivity and your love. Let them know you truly see them.

Of course, we should hold our family members and friends in our hearts, and we should take every opportunity to love them and to fill them up to overflowing with happiness. Tell your husband, wife, mom, dad, grandparents, and your children that you love them and are proud of them, and they will feel secure and happy. And tell them exactly what you love about them.

If a loved one is extremely quick to love others, if he or she naturally loves, commend him or her. Or if you can feel a person’s gentle soul, tell that person. You will be blessed yourself if you do.

If you like a friend’s poetic spirit, or their singing voice, or the art that they create, please tell them that you like it. If you like their photographs or the songs they’ve written or the perfume they wear, tell them and they will be positively reinforced.

If we all remain conscious of the impact we can have on the whole world by reinforcing the positive and the loving, this world can’t help but become a better, easier place for all of life.

And we will have succeeded with our goal of scattering seeds of happiness.

Marcelle Hanemann is a reporter for The Daily News. You can email her at marcelle.hanemann@bogalusadailynews.com or call her at 985-732-2565, ext. 301.