I got a message on Facebook a couple of days ago from a friend on the west coast. \u00a0She said Dec 1 was “pay it forward” day. \u00a0I love that idea of doing something kind and unexpected for some one. \u00a0I loved the movie with the same title starring Kevin Spacey that came out a few years ago. \u00a0It’s such a simple idea and yet it’s one that could change the world if every one of us did do even a tiny random act of kindness before this day, or any day, has ended.<\/p>\n
Many years ago Conari, a west coast publisher, in fact the same publisher that has published a number of my books in the last 5 or 6 years, came out with a book titled Random Acts of Kindness. \u00a0It was a huge success. \u00a0I think every one is moved by those unexpected acts that others perform for their benefit and it feels extremely good to do one for some one else too, particularly when they are not expecting it.<\/p>\n
Some years ago I was \u00a0going through a toll gate and the woman collecting the toll informed me that the person ahead of me in line had already paid my toll. \u00a0I was moved, both by the act of kindness and the fact the the toll collector hadn’t just pocketed the money and collected from me again. \u00a0This has inspired me to give a few dollars to the woman who stands begging on the bridge near my home in MN every time I see her. \u00a0She is gray haired, elderly, frail-looking and wears a very kind smile. \u00a0I don’t know her actual circumstances but I do believe she is deserving. \u00a0It can’t be easy to humble yourself in that way and at her age.<\/p>\n
A small pamphlet I was given when I attended my first Al-Anon meeting was called Just For Today<\/strong>. \u00a0And among the list of suggestions was one about doing something kind, and anonymous<\/strong><\/em>, for some one else every day. \u00a0I learned how hard that was, in fact. \u00a0It’s second nature, for most of us, to want others to be aware of our good deeds. \u00a0And needing to tell some one doesn’t make us “lesser” beings. \u00a0If that’s the motivator that’s necessary to get you over the resistance to do it, then share it. \u00a0That’s better than holding back, for sure. \u00a0There are simply way too many deserving people who cross our paths every day to not notice them. \u00a0And with the difficult economic times many are experiencing right now, more random acts of kindness would help greatly.<\/p>\n Paying it forward is a great idea for those who want to live in the spirit of giving. \u00a0Perhaps it’s an idea that you want to pass on to friends as I have passed it on to you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I got a message on Facebook a couple of days ago from a friend on the west coast. \u00a0She said Dec 1 was “pay it forward” day. \u00a0I love that idea of doing something kind and unexpected for some one. \u00a0I loved the movie with the same title starring Kevin Spacey that came out a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1421","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-circle-of-family-and-friends-you-and-your-personal-community"],"yoast_head":"\n