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Pay it forward: If you do an internet search on the phrase “pay it forward”, you will find some pretty cool challenges, blogs, stories, etc… This has been a phenomenon practiced for many years now. On the slim chance that you have been living a sheltered life and never heard of this, let me tell you how it goes:  you do a kind gesture for someone and simply ask them to pay it forward to someone else. You can buy lunch, in the fast food line, for the guy behind you, pay for groceries for the person in front or behind you, buy the coffee for the person next to you at the coffee shop, or any other kind gesture.  You simply ask that they remember to do something kind for someone else.  

You don’t even have to engage with someone. You can pay a meter that you notice is expired, you can leave a kind note on someone’s car, or you can send an anonymous gift card to someone.  This is referred to as random acts of kindness.  It can be a lot of fun, and I do admit I have engaged in this behavior as well as having been the recipient; both are a blessing. However, If you are the type of person that gets tired of trendy actions, you can call it something else. Perhaps you want to be the kindness creeper, the invisible do gooder, the secret present giver, the awesome alms donator.  Okay, so that is a bit silly, but don’t let the trendiness of these 2 acts overshadow the sentiment behind them.

You have heard it said, it is better to give than receive. Have you ever felt the joy of giving unsolicited gifts? It feels amazing!  Try it; I promise you won’t be disappointed. I remember an event from years ago; I was at the grocery store and listening to the conversation of the couple behind me. Their cart was full of hot dogs and hot dog buns because they went to a local park every month and grilled hot dogs to give out as an act of kindness and faith.  They used their own money and never asked for anything in return.  I was so struck by this that I asked the cashier to put a certain amount of money towards their bill.  They were so grateful, but it was such a small act that I could do to show my appreciation and awe for such a selfless act.  Other times, I’ve paid a meter that was expired, bought a coffee for the local homeless guy, or given secret gift cards to people I knew were in a bad way.  I don’t say this to pat myself on the back; these acts are so minor compared to what others have done, but they made me feel so blessed to be able to do something kind for someone else.

Try it; you won’t be disappointed. We each have different ways to do kindness acts; some people have larger bank accounts than others. Some people have amazing talents to share, or time to share. Whatever your gift is; you will be blessed more than the one you bless. I can almost guarantee it.  Feel free to share your random acts or ideas; lets pass it on and pay it forward.