This time of year we sit down and take note of all our blessings. We give value and importance to all the good things which have come to us, and reflect on how we can be more appreciative for what we have. But instead of being reactive this year let’s try and shift gears and take charge of giving even before we get.
This strange concept of ‘pay it forward’ has been around for a long time, but just recently rediscovered as a wonderful way to do something nice, without expecting it back! I came across it a few days ago, when I pulled up to the window of a Tim Horton’s drive through, and the lady informed me that the person in the car ahead of me had already taken care of my coffee, as a ‘pay it forward’. I was really taken aback! We live in a time when we count our pennies to make sure we were given exact change. We double check our receipts and always read through our check at the restaurant. We’re no longer a ‘trusting’ or ‘giving’ society. The desire to hold on to what is ours, has made us all so selfish, even at the grassroots level. Giving something to someone isn’t just overlooked, it’s seen as unnecessary!
So this sudden act of ‘forward’ kindness by a stranger was something that just touched me so deeply. It might not have amounted to a lot of money, but what he did that day which inspired me to write this post. What exactly is ‘pay it forward’? Well… simply put, it’s a way to cause a ripple effect in good deeds. When someone pays it forward for you, they are asking you to return the good deed, by doing it for someone else. So there’s no pay back… the goodness just keeps moving ahead to others.
So this year for this time of year, let’s do something different. I would love to encourage all of you to “Pay It Forward This Thanksgiving!” Let’s start a small movement that shows the strength in random acts of kindness. Whether you take care of someone’s coffee, or mow your neighbor’s yard. Leave a paid candy bar at the cash register or help a stranger out in time for need – get creative! Get thinking! Find a way that this thanksgiving, before you give thanks for something you already have, you have done a deed which will bring a smile to someone’s face, and give them an opportunity to do something nice for others.
Let’s focus our energy on being giving rather than resentful. Make someone’s day today… pay it forward, rather than just paying it back!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and to your loved ones!
Bill
This strange concept of ‘pay it forward’ has been around for a long time, but just recently rediscovered as a wonderful way to do something nice, without expecting it back! I came across it a few days ago, when I pulled up to the window of a Tim Horton’s drive through, and the lady informed me that the person in the car ahead of me had already taken care of my coffee, as a ‘pay it forward’. I was really taken aback! We live in a time when we count our pennies to make sure we were given exact change. We double check our receipts and always read through our check at the restaurant. We’re no longer a ‘trusting’ or ‘giving’ society. The desire to hold on to what is ours, has made us all so selfish, even at the grassroots level. Giving something to someone isn’t just overlooked, it’s seen as unnecessary!
So this sudden act of ‘forward’ kindness by a stranger was something that just touched me so deeply. It might not have amounted to a lot of money, but what he did that day which inspired me to write this post. What exactly is ‘pay it forward’? Well… simply put, it’s a way to cause a ripple effect in good deeds. When someone pays it forward for you, they are asking you to return the good deed, by doing it for someone else. So there’s no pay back… the goodness just keeps moving ahead to others.
So this year for this time of year, let’s do something different. I would love to encourage all of you to “Pay It Forward This Thanksgiving!” Let’s start a small movement that shows the strength in random acts of kindness. Whether you take care of someone’s coffee, or mow your neighbor’s yard. Leave a paid candy bar at the cash register or help a stranger out in time for need – get creative! Get thinking! Find a way that this thanksgiving, before you give thanks for something you already have, you have done a deed which will bring a smile to someone’s face, and give them an opportunity to do something nice for others.
Let’s focus our energy on being giving rather than resentful. Make someone’s day today… pay it forward, rather than just paying it back!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and to your loved ones!
Bill