The first time I stepped into that clearing, I swear I saw a fairy. Flitting in between the leaves that seemed to give off an emerald glow, it was almost too hard to spot. But I swear I saw it, darting behind a branch in a spray of sparkling pricks of lights. I stared at the spot where it disappeared, where the sunlight peeked into the clearing through the rustling leaves. It was at the moment in my life, that I learned to slow down and take notice of the world around me. You never know what you will see. That day in the clearing, I came to believe in finding the things that make you happy.

Happiness is contagious. Being happy is truly one of the best feelings to experience because it causes an explosion of good emotions in other people. If you’re happy, people around you become happy, and then people around them become happy. A simple action such as a smile can be infectious, lifting spirits and generating even more smiles. Seeing someone smile makes me smile, which starts the chain all over again.

I first discovered my belief when I went to Aloha Hive summer camp in Vermont at eleven years old. My life at camp was a drastic change from my life at home. It was peaceful yet busy. We were outdoors for a month, sleeping in tents, making friends and appreciating nature. It was this experience which really enabled me to open up to people. There was little downside to my days at camp, the only exception being the early morning “polar bear” jump in the lake. Nothing, however, compared to my first Rainbow’s End.

Rainbow’s End was a small clearing up in the tall evergreen forest surrounding my camp. Every Sunday night, all the campers hiked up Aloha Hill into the clearing to listen to stories and talk about the week. The first time I stepped into that clearing, I stopped in my tracks, trying to absorb the beauty of it all: the leaves rustling, the soft sound of the guitar, the candles glowing gently in the night. Scanning the clearing with awe, I realized that I was truly and genuinely happy. I looked around and noticed the things I hadn’t noticed before, that nobody had noticed before. That night, I realized simple things can make me happy but you have to slow down and pay attention.

Now back at home, summer camp behind me, I’ve strived to find those little things again. In a moment when I’m happy, I look for them. They’re not always easy to spot, but they’re always there. You can find them in something as simple as a friend’s laugh, a dog’s bark, or the first flower poking through the snow in early spring. Sometimes it’s just a matter of stopping to take notice of the elements around you.

It’s important to find the things that make you happy, to share a smile, and to have a positive outlook on life. If you do, perhaps others will too. Remember, smiles are contagious. My belief is finding the little things that make you happy no matter how busy life can be. Who knows, you may even spot a fairy.