'Pay it forward' ....

[Nicos]

I'd never heard of this concept until last year when a friend shared a DVD with me...

Pay It Forward (film) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I couldn't believe it was made 14 years ago and I'd never heard of it!

anyway, for those who don't know about it, the concept is to pay/ do someone(..or better still, several people ) a favour and in return they pay/ do someone else a favour ( rather than pay back the favour to you)...and hopefully so it continues...

(perhaps a bit like pyramid selling...but it's gifting acts of kindness!)

Well, today I was sent €10 by one of the holiday companies I rent out my gites through...and Nope, I'm not going to advertise them or me

the idea is to use that money for gifts of kindness in a 'Pay it Forward' way.

(yes, I know it's a form of advertising from them which is why I'm not saying who they are, but the concept is there for the idea of being kind to strangers.)

and so, this New Year I thought I'd share this concept of 'Pay it Forward' with any of you who hadn't heard of it and who might like to give it a try with some strangers in your life!

And no...it doesn't need to involve money or gifts...just acts of kindness like helping someone carry something, holding open doors, giving up your seat on a bus/ train, smiling... You know, the 'old fashioned' values which seem to be getting lost these days!

I think the idea is to suggest maybe they can help someone else out in return if they wish... But leading by example it just as good!

Sorry about the long post, but with the talk about New Year resolutions, I thought this was a nice idea , and shall think up a few ways of sharing that € 10 with several strangers, but more importantly continue to do free gifts of kindness throughout the year.

A little more caring about our fellow beings can never be a bad thing can it?!

and so,on my final official day as your December MOM , I'm sharing with you this sort of New Year's Resolution prompted by a gift from a stranger to me!


Happy New Year everyone!

[Nicos]

So, out of interest what would you do if given £10 to depend on strangers as a gift of kindness?

Any suggestions for me would be greatly appreciated too!

I had thought of buying some bulbs and handing one out to loads of people in a shopping queue .

OH suggested buying €10 worth of cider and passing out glasses of mulled cider.

I could spend €10 worth of petrol and take several elderly folk with no transport to the local supermarket and back.

Hmmm....need to think of more ideas!

[Alison]

I think it's just a formalisation of something loads of people did anyway throughout history by generally just doing nice things for somebody but not expecting anything back however knowing by helping person a), hat person would help person b) etc. I only heard the phrase recently (think its used more commonly in th US) and although I love the concept I find the words a bit clunky. Probably a bit grumpy this morning but it's all a bit brash and loud for me (like in a cafe when you buy free coffee for the next homeless person, you can just do this without shouting about it) rather than a lovely random act of kindness.

Just to be clear, this moan isn't aimed at Nicos, they're not remotely guilty of self promotion just I find that there's quite a lot of that in the media at the moment. That said, suppose if people do something to make themselves look good that they wouldn't have otherwise done then at least somebody has benefitted.....

[Nicos]

My thoughts exactly Alison...that's why I've not said who sent the the money.

Random acts of kindness seem to becoming offered less and less these days so, as you say, if it alerts people to take a good look at themselves, and quietly do something for the benefit of others , then I'm all for it!

Yeh...and I probably won't tell you what I do...for that very reason!

[Bren In Pots]

What about buying a few books and leaving them on park benches or buses, I'm sure I've read about that being successful.

[veggiechicken]

You already "Pay it forward" Nicos. Now you've found a Name for it - nothing else has changed

[veggiechicken]

What about buying a few books and leaving them on park benches or buses, I'm sure I've read about that being successful.

"Book Crossing". There's a website, of course.
I've done it by leaving paperbacks on benches in our local woods. Put a note inside saying how much you enjoyed reading it and would like the finder to enjoy it also - and pass it on.

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

Nicos I like the idea of putting petrol in your car and driving a few oldies to the shops to get their messages.

[veggiechicken]

I'd spend it on flower bulbs, daffs, crocus etc
Pot them up in clay pots or old tea cups, with a ribbon and a gift tag (anonymous).
Then leave them on the doorsteps of neighbours, especially the oldies, to surprise them. and get them wondering


.

[lottie dolly]

A good example at work on here is,the virtual seed parcel,they actually are real,also peeps passing on things to others at no cost to the recipents,simply because apart from waste not ext,it's good to share things with others,like the old saying,what goes around,comes around

[Knight of Albion]

A wonderful idea for a thread, especially at the turn of the year.
Kindness that's what the world needs more of.

With pleasant irony this is the quote I added in 'Wisdom For The Day' last night ....

'Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.'

Who knows the difference a simple kindness can make to someone's life, either through the act of caring or as a positive example...

[Nicos]

Funnily enough KofA...I noticed your post after I'd created this thread!

[Knight of Albion]

Nicos: I just checked your link! Not what I was expecting. I hadn't heard of it either!
But I had heard of this gem and thought you might like to see it ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxrpO9vPeY0

[Knight of Albion]

And we can't possibly miss out this Thai classic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaWA2GbcnJU

The bit when the little girl isn't there ... Gets me every time!

[noviceveggrower]

How about a food parcel for some one or in this cold weather some logs or coal? We have a local Salvation Army place by us and if anyone has any spare tins then they just drop them off and then they send them to the main food distribution church.
Or how about spending it on fuel and going to visit someone you know who doesn't have many or any visitors at all. Just spend any hour or what time you have spare. Like I use to say to those who huffed and carried on at the old people in front of them. The taxi driver/bus driver and myself could be the only people they talk to all day or possibly all week. Not everyone is on the internet or facebook/ twiter.