Celebrate: Pay It Forward

Wonderful.  Improbable.  Hoped-for.  To many, these words describe kindness received.

Wonderful.  Possible.  Rewarding.  To many, these words describe kindness given.

To some, any or all of the words on the first or the second line will be a response to today’s Daily Prompt.  Will you be one of those people?  Will I be one of those people?

• Did you receive good news about a loved one’s health?  Pay it forward by taking care of your own health so your loved ones can love you longer.
• Did you get a new job, promotion, or other good work related news?  Pay it forward by donating interview suitable clothing to a local charity to improve someone else’s chance of good luck with their career aspirations.
• Did you get the weather you hoped for today?  Pay it forward and spread a little sunshine into a stranger’s day by speaking kind words to them.
• Did you come into some money?  Pay it forward by sharing just 10% of it with someone who needs it more than you do.
• Did a new child recently arrive in your or a friend’s family?  Pay it forward and invest some time with an elderly person listening to their stories of a life well lived.
• Did you get a new like or follow on your blog?  Pay it forward and tell someone in your world why you appreciate having them in your life.
• Did you open your eyes, rise, and get out of bed today?  Pay it forward and help the hungry start their day right by donating breakfast items to your local food bank.
• Did you not get some bad news you were hoping wouldn’t come?  Pay it forward and not create bad feelings in others by refraining from speaking or writing words of intolerance, anger, or complaint.
• Did you arrive at your destination safely?  Pay it forward and donate personal grooming items, furniture, or toys to your local abused persons shelter to help the residents start their new life in safety and with basic needs provided.

Think you’re not in a position to spread a little kindness in another’s day?  If this man can, anyone can.  Me included.

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

John F. Kennedy

Photo source:   Artomen user on Flickr.com, CC BY 2.0