I think it’s fair to assume that everyone has experienced the ‘countdown’. This is a period of time in which you begin to count down the days before a special event or occasion is going to occur. This might be your much anticipated birthday, wedding, due date, vacation, retirement or something else altogether. So, you’re probably wondering what is 251 days from now.
Pay it Forward Day!
As I prepared to write this post, I had no idea there was a designated date to celebrate. My intent was to find totally different information for this post. But, here is what I did learn. In 2016, people from 79 countries participated in Pay it Forward Day with individuals working on proclamations in 42 states & 48 cities (http://payitforwardday.com). Be sure to mark you calendar on April 28, 2017 as this is when we shall celebrate this momentous day again.
Pay it forward is an expression for describing the beneficiary of a good deed repaying it to others instead of to the original benefactor. There is quite a bit of information regarding the origins of this expression. It is believed to date back as far as 317 BC when used as a key plot element in the denouement of a comedy play by Menander titled Dyskolos.
In September 2000, The Pay It Forward Foundation was established in the United States. It is a non-profit organization, established by Catherine Ryan Hyde, author of the 1999 novel, Pay It Forward. The philosophy of this foundation is that through acts of kindness among strangers, this will generate a ripple effect from one person and community to the next. This in turn will foster a more caring society across the world.
Benefits of paying it forward.
All of the people in my life completely embody this philosophy. They don’t just speak it, they live it. These types of folks are the friends I want in my life. Some people engage in these random acts of kindness for religious or moral reasons. Others were raised by parents who believed this principle to be important. For myself, it is something I feel is essential in my life and my own personal journey. The choice is yours and the reason doesn’t matter.
My top 5 benefits/reasons to pay it forward.
- Pure joy and happiness – Helping someone else makes me feel so good. Seeing the look of sheer joy and appreciation on anothers face sends a smile to mine as well as to the depths of my heart.
- Boost in self-esteem – It is impossible for me to feel bad about myself when I have a smile on my face from giving to someone. This act of kindness towards another does a lot towards making me feel a lot better about myself.
- Setting an example -As a parent, this was very important for me to instill in my son. I wanted him to know why we need to help each other. The best way for him to learn this principle was to see me do it. On a larger scale, I always hope someone else will be inspired to help another by seeing my example.
- Lesson for the receiver- I don’t help someone so they will learn something. However, I do believe that we are inspired to make changes in our lives for the better when we see the good in others. My hope is that a person I have helped will understand this and want to make changes to improve their life and those of others.
- Karma – I truly believe in the blessings of helping others. I believe that when you give something of yourself to another it will, in turn, come back to you ten-fold. This has happened to me so many times in my life.
Pay it forward isn’t just a phisophy, concept, book title or movie. It is a revolution. I believe there are many personal benefits and blessings to experience. Additionally, I believe if we can all actively live by this philosophy, it will go a long way to help our conflicting neighbors, communities and countries.
What do you think?
Oh by the way, at the time of this post, there are only 126 days, 9 hours, and 20 minutes until Christmas (you’re welcome).
©Julie Corbett
Thoughts by Ajae 