India, March 11 -- One of life's greatest highs is seeing a smile on someone's face and knowing you put it there.

While begging is often a nuisance to discourage, small gestures of empathy can light up an otherwise drab existence. As American motivational speaker Jay Grace says: "Everyone can experience the joy of generosity, because everyone has something to give."

An innocent face has a way of melting one's resolve, bypassing all the logical sermons we've heard about the beggar menace to make space for pure compassion. When generosity is laced with a cheerful smile, the experience becomes as fulfilling for the giver as it is for the receiver.

I've had many such encounters. Once, in a crowded marketplace, a little girl skipped up to m...