I’ve never been fond of those generic “Happy Birthday!” posts that flood our social media feeds—they often feel empty and impersonal. In 2023, when Facebook reminded me of a friend’s birthday, I decided instead to record a 30–60 second video message. What started as a simple thinking-of-you greeting soon became a doorway to deeper conversation. Rather than settling for a quick “Thanks!” in the comments, I found myself catching up with my friends in a more personal manner, hearing about struggles and triumphs I might otherwise have missed.

Spurred by that experience, I set a New Year’s Resolution for 2025: Send a short video to someone different every single day (no special occasion required) just to share a smile. Sometimes it’s a quick “Hello;” other times I mention something special happening in their life. In every case, those 30-60 seconds of intentional connection have blossomed into richer, more meaningful exchanges. It’s amazing how a brief, personal message can lift both the sender and the recipient.

I’ve even started getting videos back, which act as little reminders that kindness is contagious. A wise man once said, “The most precious thing you can give someone is your time.”

If you’re looking for a simple, daily way to spread joy and strengthen your friendships (and faith!), I highly recommend this activity. Whether it’s a birthday, an ordinary Tuesday or a moment when you sense someone needs encouragement, a short video could be the spark that brightens someone’s day, and possibly yours.