Pay It Forward

The idea of paying it forward never ceases to amaze me. Whether you spend $5 on someone else, or you simply smile to lift the spirit of others- committing a random act of kindness is truly a way to serve from the depth of your heart. I've always appreciated the smallest of actions from others and try to pass on that feeling of gratitude to someone else when possible. Last night I started a list of small, quiet things my family and I can do for others that could possibly change the direction of their day. Since it is time for resolutions to be made, mine is to act upon this list as much as possible in the upcoming year.

My 'Pay It Forward' List:

• Hand write a note to a friend or relative and put in the mail.
• Bring a meal to a neighbor or friend when they are sick.
• Spend an hour playing games with the residents of your local convalescent hospital.
• Pay for the person behind you in a fast food line.
• Mow your neighbor's lawn or pull weeds out of their planters.
  
• Bring a pile of old magazines to a doctors office or hospital for their waiting room.
• Take unwanted clothing items to a shelter or goodwill.
• Tape the exact change for a soda or snack to a vending machine.
• Leave a couple pieces of candy on a coworkers desk with a note.
• Pay for the person behind you at a toll booth.
• Call a family member or friend on the day of a test or other important event and tell them you're thinking of them. (No text messages, IM's, Facebook comments, etc! An actual call so they can hear your voice)
• Offer to babysit for friends or family so they can enjoy a night out.
• Draw colorful pictures and bring them to a local hospital for patients' windows.
• Leave behind your finished magazine or book on a plane or bus.
• Make an extra sandwich and snack bag for a homeless person.
• Start off by telling a customer service agent "I know this problem is not your fault." We so often blame them, which is unfair and must be very stressful.
• Return a shopping cart to the front of the store.
• Write a note with an encouraging thought to someone special and put it in their lunch bag or coat pocket for them to find.
• And finally, when all else fails, simply open the door for someone behind you and leave them with a smile.

I would love for you to create a list as well, so we can all share ideas and hopefully make this upcoming year a bit brighter for everyone. PS. Don't worry about repeating ideas; they'll all be greatly appreciated by someone looking for an idea to make someone's day.