By David Leonhardt

I am a strong believer in free speech, but an even stronger believer in paid speech. However, there are good reasons why someone like me would happily deliver free speeches. For instance, to support a charity or a cause I believe in (generosity and good deeds). Or if the audience is full of people who hire speakers (selfishness and self-promotion).

If you've ever given a free speech at a dinner or ran a workshop at a conference, you'll wince when I mention the dreaded "token of appreciation" presented to the speaker. You think, "Oh no, not another T-shirt." I have more than my share of T-shirts, golf shirts, letter openers, books of no interest to me or to anyone outside the little group assembled, sweets, ball caps, and pens that occasionally work.

I suppose that's the price of free speech.

Which brings me a free speech I delivered on happiness habits, at the end of which I braced myself to face "Dreaded Token". I was handed a lovely gift bag brimming with colorful paper -- the perfect camouflage to conceal "Dreaded Token" until he was ready to pounce. Mercifully, Madam Group President did not make me open the bag in front of everyone.

As I was preparing to leave the hall, I sneaked a peak inside the bag. To my surprise, there was a jam-packed candy jar adorned with dozens of tiny plastic smiley faces glued to the lid. Around the lid were foam-rubber multi-colored letters that read "Happy Guy".

Wow! It was hand-made. Madam Group President took the time to craft a personal gift. How thoughtful of her. Dreaded Token, you have met your match. Meet Happy Jar.

If you have ever been a parent, valuing more the hand-made card your son or daughter scribbles for you than any present they could buy, you understand the joy I felt when I met Happy Jar. I can't wait for my daughter to be old enough to draw so I can feel that kind of happiness more often.

Note. Time has now elapsed and she IS old enough.

In life, little things really do count. You might be tempted to dismiss them, but they are the seeds of joy that grow up to fill the garden of your life. Not all little things are good, but yours can be ... if you are willing to make a little extra effort.

Madam Group President could have just handed me a T-shirt or a ball cap or leftover fruit cake from last Christmas. (Yes, I was once presented with left-over fruitcake!)

But she invested her effort and her generosity instead and I have a tale of deep personal happiness to write about today. She, too, has a wonderful story to tell – a story of her creativity and generosity and of my gratitude and appreciation.

You can fill someone's day with joy just by making that same little effort. I sent an encouraging e-mail to lift a friend's spirits today. It worked. Those carefully chosen words put a smile on her face. I'm sure you can guess how happy that made me feel, too.

I know I am blessed to be surrounded by so many thoughtful, generous people, but I also know that we reap what we sow. What are you sowing? Are you making the time to give a little extra to people around you? Are you sowing seeds of happiness in your garden of life?

With the right seeds and a little extra effort, you may find more Happy Jars in your life than Dreaded Tokens. And of course, let us not forget the magic words to keep those Happy Jars coming: "Thank you Madam Group President."