SALAMANCA — Along the bumpy road of life in Salamanca can now be found a collection of rocks specifically designed to make people smile.

These have been decorated and placed by thoughtful happy makers in hopes that they will brighten the day of an unknown recipient.

The painted rocks, like their creators, vary in size and style and have been popping up all around Salamanca, Little Valley, Cattaraugus and Olean, as part of an online friendship game called “Salamanca Smiles.”

Cynthia England, a retired health care giver in Little Valley, started the project after painting a number of rocks with her grandchildren “for something to do” and gaining inspiration from a story about Megan Murphy in Cape Cod, Mass., who started the Kindness Rock Project a number of years ago.

Megan leaves most of her beautifully painted rocks, many of which contain an inspirational message, along the beach for others to find and either keep or replace. The idea quickly spread to other countries such as: Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Ireland, India, Thailand, Italy and England.

In Salamanca, Smiles rocks have been turning up in all sorts of places and in just a few months, participants in the game have grown to the hundreds, all with the common goal of spreading happiness. In all cases, those who found a Salamanca Smiles rock reported that it “made their day.”

Those who find a Salamanca Smiles rock and would like to play along, are asked to post a picture of their find with the hashtag #salamancasmiles, and their name and location.

Replace or relocate the rock, or keep it if you really love it, and make a new one (maybe even more, just because it’s so much fun) and hide them around. Inspirational messages are optional. It would be helpful to make it clear that this is a Salamanca Smiles rock (perhaps on the back). Please keep in mind that many of the game participants are children.

Any old rock will do, but a round, flat one allows more available space for designs. Many materials can be used to decorate a rock, such as: permanent markets, acrylic craft paint, puff paint or glued on items such as wiggle eyes. A spray coating of clear sealant would help the creation survive longer out of doors.

Incorporate your happiest thought into a rock design and put it in a place where someone will find it … just to make them smile.

Perhaps kindness can be contagious, after all.