How to Pay it Forward

You might have heard of the movie, "Pay it Forward," involving a teacher who asks the question, “Think of something to change the world and put it into action." The film then chronicles a young boy’s attempt to commit random acts of kindness, in hopes that people will follow suit. Through this young boy’s act of kindness, the idea spiraled into other random acts of kindness, throughout the United States. Through his desire for change, he inspired many, and changed a world in dire need of change. So, how can you pay it forward? Read on to learn a few helpful tips.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Think about one thing that you can do for someone else. For example, you can open a door for someone, help an elderly person carry their groceries from the store to their car, pay the toll for the person behind you at a toll booth, buy a coffee for the person behind you at a coffee shop, volunteer your time at a local homeless shelter. As you can see, the possibilities are endless.
2. Go out and do that one thing you have thought about doing for someone else. If you’re uncomfortable at first, start out by doing something small. Open the door for someone at the grocery store, or say hello to someone you don’t know. Even the smallest gesture can mean the world to someone.
3. Never stop doing random acts of kindness. Create a list for yourself of things that you can do for those around you. If complete strangers see you doing something for someone else, the idea is that they too will do the same for someone else.

Tips & Warnings

• Be kind to others and they will be kind to you. Simply live by the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. It's as simple as that.
• If you never try, you'll never know the impact you could have made. Believe for change first, then act on it.