ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — In a world where it seems like people can't agree on some of the simplest issues, there is one thing people can agree on, the desire to be happy.
A St. Petersburg man is hoping to do his part by bringing his neighbors together with something he calls the 'Community Happiness Project.' Like so many of us, Adam Peters lived in his home for years without getting to know any of his neighbors. But after the pandemic, he was ready to get out in the community and make some new friends. So Adam transformed his front yard, to make it more inviting and in the process started transforming some lives.
It all started a year ago with a signpost and some quirky, painted rocks in a basket in Adam's front yard, with a message for anyone who walked by.
"To take the rock, take it home and put it somewhere in their yard that they'll see often when they leave and they come home and every time that they see it, pause and reflect on things that make them happy," Peters said.
It was a gift to his neighbors in Oakwood Gardens.
"I wanted to do something for them. I wanted to show them I care about them," he said. "And I wanted to do it in a really creative and fun way because I've also learned that, through positivity, we can improve our lives."
Over time, the project and the front yard oasis grew.
"I took a lot of inspiration from my inner child. I thought about what little Adam would have wanted in his neighborhood when he was tooling around. This would have been a little treasure oasis to someone like that kid," Peters said.
So Adam added a curiosities cabinet full of trinkets.
"In the back here we have a mirror that hopefully you'll see your smiling face there and the message is that this person will change the world."
And some colorful prayer flags.
"As the wind blows through them, they're spreading messages of compassion," he said. "It is a wonderful visual reminder that someone does care, so it's been a great response."
And while the community happiness project is a great success, Adam says you don't have to go to lengths like this if you want to make someone's day. A simple smile can be all it takes.
"I find that if you just meet people on that human level and express care and interest in them, the rest falls away. This is a really great reminder to just lean in to things we can all agree on which is happiness. We all are striving and looking for happiness and we can help each other get it," Peters said.
There is a Facebook page for the Community Happiness Project if you want to get some ideas for your own neighborhood.