Pay It Forward & Share the Love

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Pay it forward. If ever there were three words (apart from “I love you”) with the power to make a huge difference in this world – it’s those.

Most people automatically associate the concept with the book by Catherine Hyde or movie of the same name, but the idea of having a good turn repaid by having it done to others instead, first emerged centuries ago.

The phrasing may have changed throughout the ages as the principle of reciprocity emerged in the teachings of countless religions and in the philosophies of ancient civilisations from Babylon to Egypt to Greece to China and on to the modern world. But the words “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” pretty much sum it up.

Such a simple concept, but one that has resonated with people around the world and given life to a growing international philanthropic movement and even an official day, all with one common goal … to give a little bit of themselves to help others and in the doing, make the world a better place.

There are countless random acts of kindness any of us can do to pay it forward on any given day. These are five that I like to put into action on a regular basis.

1. Don’t wait for others to be friendly, show them how. Smile and say hi to a stranger.
2. Loan something to someone, and then forget all about it. Think how surprised you’ll be when they remember to return it. And if they don’t, that’s okay too.
3. Donate your services on a project where you know your skills can make a difference, or give free lessons in a skill where you excel.
4. Cultivate the art of the “Thankyou” note – do you know just how much of a buzz people get from being spontaneously and genuinely thanked? Especially when it’s done with a real, honest-to-goodness handwritten note in this digital age where texts and emails rule?
5. Give credit where credit is due. If you think someone has done a great job (at work, in your family, or a community group) don’t just think it, tell them. It doesn’t happen often enough and watch the warm glow that lights up their face when you do.

Regardless of country, colour or creed we all have a lot more in common than some people think. We all want health, happiness and security, and we’d all like to live in a kinder more caring world.

Even in today’s tough times, most of us have many things in our lives to be grateful for – like a comfortable bed, a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, friends who send us those ridiculous emails that do the rounds, people to hug us, love us and make us laugh. So what’s stopping you from sharing some of your abundance with others?  Start small, reach out, make the connection. What happens may surprise you!

Of course the whole point of paying it forward is to do something nice for somebody else without any expectations in return. But that little noise you can hear is your good karma counter ticking over. Who knows, someone could pay it forward to you when you least expect it and need it most. Now that’s living purposefully.

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