Pay it Forward

[June]

I remember watching the movie Pay it Forward. I thought the movie was extremely inspiring yet sad. I have often thought about that movie since watching it and wondered how much affect we really do have on others day to day.

Sometimes when I have been behind a person in a check out that hasn't had enough money I have given it to the check out person. To see the look of astonishment and hear the shocked words of gratitude over a $1 is amazing. Its not about the dollar its about doing something nice for a stranger even if its a heart warming smile thats given. I then wonder how I have affected their day and if they will pass on something nice to a stranger too.

What experience have you had with passing something onto a stranger no matter how big or how small?

Love to hear from you all

Cheers June

[Hayley Solich]

What a great post, June. I have often gone out of my way to be kind to others because at the end of the day, the feeling that I get from helping others is so HUGE.

It doesn't take much to make another person's day wonderful.

I often think about some of the little things that I have done that have brought a smile to another person, be it letting them go first in a queue, or giving them the missing change they need to purchase something or helping someone with a trolley because they have children or are pregnant.

But the one thing that I think is often forgotten in our paying it forward is to do the little things that make those we love most feel special. I remember sending a card to a girlfriend. I don't do this often, but just felt to send her a little note to let her know how much she was appreciated. Well the day she received that card was a day that she had been very down. It made such a difference to her life and it cost me so little!

We all have opportunities every day to do something that is for someone else. Imagine how much better our world would be if we all just looked for ways to bless others. :)

[Garnet Nagy]

Hey June, I can't think of any specific example in my life but as Hayley mentioned I feel the smallest things can really make a huge difference. Saying hello to a stranger in passing, smiling, actually listening to others....Treating Others As We Wish To Be Treated Ourselves, what else could we do or wish for? :)

[June]

I totally agree with you both. Check out the next time your in public and see how many people look happy?..Then smile at a few people and see the difference... I have to remember that one for myself :0). Always seem to be in a rush these days

[Garnet Nagy]

I can't account for whether this here story is an actual account or not(my friend who posted it got it in her email) but is pretty awesome none the less!

[Barbara Siragusa]

Going through Africa, we met a native who spoke English so very well. He was in his early 20's. Self educated, but never had left that area of the bush. My son, who was 12 at the time, took his address and they became pen pals of sorts. My son would send out a package each month, including all kinds of things that we took for granted, even things that were around the house. Things he had never seen before. I like to think we made a difference in his life, and ultimately he was able to help his young sisters to be educated perhaps with some of things we sent.

[Mari-Lyn Hudson]

Hi June.
I have presented Kindness Hero awards from 2000 to 2005. Over 33 awards went out. There are lots of opportunities to Pay it Forward, from buying someone else's coffee to sharing a meal with a stranger or giving a spontaneous gift. I gave someone on the street asking for a meal or $$ at Christmas - instead I was on the way to a Christmas dinner and I gave this person on the street a gift basket.

What Pay it Forward really means is to make it BIG.

Mari-Lyn