When two or more Shine principles can be combined in a single event then I know it is worth mentioning to our community.

Such is the case with this Thursday's National Poem in Your Pocket Day - the perfect combination of Create (Principle #2), Spread Shine (Principle #10), and with a dash of Realize the Impact of Little Things (Principle #5).  Poem In Your Pocket Day has been celebrated each April in New York City since 2002. Each year, city parks, bookstores, workplaces, and other venues burst with open readings of poems from pockets. Even the Mayor gets in on the festivities, reading a poem on the radio.

So simple, so unexpected, so reasonably priced.

And, if you are still going strong in the House of Shine's 29 Day Giving Challenge then the value of today's idea just increased exponentially.  Participating in National Poem in Your Pocket Day is a creative way for you to end a giving cycle (or, if you are like me... begin a new one.  More on that later).

The idea is simple: select a poem you love then carry it with you to share with co-workers, family, and friends on Thursday, April 29, 2010.

Or, go the extra mile and make them smile.

Urge local businesses to offer discounts for those carrying poems; Post pocket-sized verses in public places; Handwrite some lines on the back of your business cards; Start a street team to pass out poems in your community; Distribute bookmarks with your favorite immortal lines; Add a poem to your email footer; Post a poem on your blog or social networking page; Project a poem on a wall, inside or out; Text a poem to friends; or package your favorite poem in an old denim pocket like the one pictured above.

The ideas I must admit, I found on their site (http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/406).  Resist sharing I couldn't, they are dynamite!

How about you?  Are you a poet and didn't know it?  Visit the Forum labeled Today's Post.  Share an idea or even a whole host.

I am shining off until tomorrow, when my poetry will bring no sorrow.