January 17 – 19 is Pay it Forward Weekend

January 17 to the 19 is Pay it Forward Weekend.

Pay It Forward….

The concept of “ Pay it Forward ” is an interesting one to me. It appeals to me at so many levels. “ Pay it forward is an expression for describing the beneficiary of a good deed repaying it to others instead of to the original benefactor.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pay_it_forward)

It exemplifies kindness and propels one outside of oneself to get involved with others. In simple terms, instead of a bringing a gift to a person who did you a favor…give a gift to a needy family or to a friend going through a difficult time.

Life teaches us many lessons about giving and receiving.  Parents try to teach their children early on to say thank you and please.  Giving and receiving are both immensely powerful events in life and are an integral part of relationships.  Both are powerful because humility, gratitude and generosity collide to create interpersonal interaction.

   Without a doubt, it is easier to give than to receive. Society seems to magnify the giver as a knight in shining armor and the recipient as the one needing a leg up and a darker participant in the exchange, but when the recipient also gives, then he too is elevated to the knight persona and both a conquering heroes.

Forgive me if I am complicating this simple concept.  I don´t want to. Want I do want to do is inspire the reader to “ Pay it Forward ”, to step outside of the comfort zone and get involved, do for others, check on your neighbor, offer a sick friend a ride to the grocery store or simply offer a helping hand.

Everyone who knows me knows that I am a pretty busy man with little time to spare in my day, but I do take the time to help others. My grandmother was a very wise woman who taught us to remember that “but for the grace of God go I.”  Probably most of us can relate to the concept, for we are all recipients in one way or another, of an act of kindness, either from a friend, a coworker, or a stranger.

Frankly, I am well aware that over the years, I have received many acts of generosity.  Therefore, I am happy to recommit today to “Pay Forward” and invite you to do the same..  Celebrate January 17 to the 19 with as many forward payments as possible!

Here are some ideas taken from

http://www.marcandangel.com/2012/05/25/60-selfless-ways-to-pay-it-forward/

1. Hold the door open for the person behind you.
2. Introduce yourself.  Make new colleagues, classmates, etc. feel welcome.
3. Clean out all your old clothes and donate them to someone in need.  Your old is someone else’s new.
4. Write a positive Yelp review about a local business you like.
5. Listen intently to people’s stories without trying to fix everything.
6. Donate blood.  One pint of blood can save up to three lives.  Locate your nearest blood drive.
7. Volunteer at a hospital, homeless shelter, nursing home, etc.  Get outsideof yourself and help others.  Check out Volunteer Match.
8. Buy house warming gifts for new neighbors.
9. Inspire others online.
10. Share your umbrella with a stranger on a rainy day.
11. Check up on someone who looks lonely.
12. Let someone with only a few items cut you in line at the grocery store.
13. Spread good news.
14. Replace what you’ve used.  For example, fill up the copier or printer with paper after you’re done using it or start a fresh batch of coffee.
15. Give words of encouragement to someone about their dreams, no matter how big or small they are.
16. Stop and buy a drink from a kid’s lemonade stand.
17. Help someone get your parking space in a crowded parking lot when you’re leaving.
18. Babysit for couples or single parents who don’t get out much so they can have some alone time.
19. Look for ways to save a few extra bucks a month and then donate it to a good cause or charity.
20. Shop at your local charity thrift store.  The money you spend there helps others.
21. Help someone get active.  There’s a coworker or acquaintance in your life who wants to get healthy, but needs a helping hand.  Offer to go walking or running together or join a gym together.  Check out your local Activeactivities.
22. Spend a few clicks of your time at Free Rice.
23. If someone you love really likes something (a meal, a favor, etc.) give it to them when they least expect it.
24. Make a difference in the life of a child. Give them your time and undivided attention.  Read Raising Kids Who Will Make a Difference.
25. If you shop online, make your purchase through Give Back America.
26. Pay for the person in line behind you.
27. Drop off your old eye glasses at your local LensCrafters as a donation to the OneSight program.
28. Create a care package and send it to an active duty military unit.
29. Redirect gifts.  Instead of having people give you birthday and holiday gifts, ask them to donate gifts or money to a good cause.
30. The next time you see someone pulled over with a flat tire, or in need of assistance, stop and ask how you can help.  Read How to Be an Everyday Philanthropist.
31. Become a mentor or tutor to someone in need.
32. Help the weary shopper in front of you who needs that extra two or three cents to avoid breaking a 20-dollar bill.
33. Come to the rescue.  If you realize someone is sick, bring them some hot tea, soup, etc.
34. Be a courteous driver.  Let people merge in front of you.
35. Put some change in an expired parking meter (where it’s legal).
36. Offer your seat to someone when there aren’t any left.
37. Listen to someone’s pain and help them find a path through it.
38. Hug a friend.  Let them know how important they are.
39. Think twice before you throw something away.  As Jack Johnson once said, “Reduce, reuse, and recycle.”
40. Help an entrepreneur with a Kiva donation.
41. Bake cookies or brownies and share with a neighbor or colleagues.
42. If you have a good book you’ve read that’s just sitting around on a book shelf, give it away to a friend.
43. Become a member of Freecycle, and participate.
44. Clean up litter in a park or open space nearby.
45. Look into co-housing.
46. Borrow and lend things in your neighborhood by using Share Some Sugar.
47. Send a nice email or handwritten card to someone you know, unexpectedly.
48. Leave encouraging post-it notes in library books and other random places.
49. If you see a couple taking a self-pic, offer to take the picture for them.
50. Setup a donation box at your school, work or place of worship and ask others to make canned/dried food contributions.  Then deliver the donations accordingly.
51. Join efforts to preserve and protect the environment.
52. Donate cat and dog food to an animal shelter.  Call and ask what is needed.
53. Compliment someone who deserves it.
54. If there’s been an accident or a potentially hazardous situation presents itself on the road, report it to the local authorities.  Your phone call could save a life.
55. Collect and donate prom dresses for underprivileged youth.  Check out the Princess Project.
56. When you’re getting fast food, buy an extra meal for a homeless person.
57. Stand up for someone.  Lend your voice. Often the powerless, the homeless, the neglected in our world need someone to speak up for them.
58. Take the time to teach someone a skill you know.
59. Teach others how to make a difference in this world by setting a good example every day.  Read 29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life.
60. When someone wants to repay you for something, ask them to pay it forward.