Fourth Annual “Chalk the Walks” Event Promotes a Positive Frame of Mind
Once again, on the 3rd Tuesday in August, local sidewalks will be full of colorful, uplifting sentiments as people spend a little time chalking messages of inspiration, joy and love in an effort to make others smile. Messages like: “Always bring your own sunshine,” “You are awesome,” “Yes you can,” “You are loved,” “Today I am thankful.” The annual international Chalk the Walks event, now in its fourth year, began in the heart of Vancouver, Washington, in 2011. This year’s event happens on Main Street in Vancouver–as well as a slew of other places–on August 19th.
“The idea is as powerful as it is simple,” said Michele Larsen, founder of The Joy Team and coordinator of Chalk the Walks. “Write happy messages, have fun doing it, spread some joy while you’re at it.” Why? It makes people smile. And creating an easy way for people to smile and feel happy, even if just briefly, releases stress-busting, immune-boosting hormones in our bodies. It’s as good for our health as it is for our heart.
Being part of the joy-spreading movement is easy. Just join the Facebook event at facebook.com/chalkthewalks, chalk uplifting messages on your walks on Tuesday, August 19th, take some photos and share your messages on the Chalk the Walks 2014 Facebook event page, creating a virtual playground of inspiration and optimism.
The public is invited to join The Joy Team at Mini Mozarts’ (1919 Main Street) in Vancouver from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and help fill Uptown Village with smile-inducing messages sure to encourage and inspire all who see them.
Over 1,000 people from at least 42 states, plus Australia, Brazil, Canada, England and New Zealand will be chalking their sidewalks with positive messages. With the event still nearly a month out, and growing every day, Larsen is hopeful positive messages will be chalked in all 50 states this year.
Chalk the Walks, a project of The Joy Team, is all about spreading joy, inspiration and optimism through the magical power of sidewalk chalk. Anyone can host a Chalk the Walks event in their town and invite the community to join them. Like Sarah Sledge and United Way of Anchorage, Alaska; Denise Caskey in downtown Laramie, Wyoming; Estella Euclide of Mokapu Elementary PTA on the Marine Corps Base of Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii; Fern Gotell of Island Heart Cafe on Kent Street in Georgetown PEI, Canada; Cheryl Schmitt at Vital Chiropractic in Mount Vernon, Washington; or Marie Gettel-Gilmartin of Mission of The Atonement (MoTA) Church in Beaverton, Oregon; just to name a few.
Beginning Monday, August 11 through Tuesday, August 19, free chalk will be provided by Official Chalk Partners, listed at http://chalkthewalks.com/our-partners/. For more information, visit ChalkTheWalks.com.
Contributed by The Joy Team.
