Have you all seen the movie Pay it Forward? Do you know what I'm talking about? Paying it Forward is simply the concept of doing something random, and wonderful for someone else, without expecting anything at all in return.. only that the recipient might pay it forward.. do the same for someone else. The size of the random act doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is that you help someone out in an unexpected way. And I like to think that it's more fun, and perhaps even more random if you don't advertise your RAOK. When someone goes on Facebook and announces how wonderful they are because they are helping others it kind of takes the "goodness" out of it for me. But that's just me. Do it because you want to bless someone. Do it because it's a happy, wonderful thing to do. Do it just to see what happens... to YOU!
So this blog is to toss out some ideas for you. I know lots of people who have told me they just can't think of what to do. Here's a few things I've heard of others doing, or read about online and a few things I came up with on my own. I even asked Noah for his help with ideas.. I figured 5 year olds might have the best ideas ever so hopefully this list will get your creative juices flowing, and give you some ideas for how to take part in Pay it Forward day by doing your own Random Act of Kindness. And just as a side note.. if you do get caught doing a RAOK, simply say "Just pay it forward!" You will love the way it makes you feel!
- Pay for a stranger's groceries
- Pay for a family member's groceries
- Buy someone's cup of coffee
- Get the next person's gas
- Buy lunch for the couple or family sitting next to you (be secretive)
- Write to management in a place where you got good service. Commend them and mention the server by name
- Share your teddy bear (Noah's plan!)
- Add money to someone's parking meter
- Pay a local teen to scoop an elderly person's driveway and sidewalks
- Leave an extra large tip
- Leave your change in the soda machine for the next person
- Volunteer your time at a shelter or on the streets with homeless folks
- Pay the toll for someone behind you
- Leave a bouquet of flowers on someone's doorstep
- Adopt a family through a social service agency, not just at Christmas. People go hungry all year.
- Adopt a street.. or just pick up litter in your neighborhood
- Give a lottery ticket to a stranger
- Put change in a vending machine
- Drop off a toy or a game at a homeless shelter
- Leave a book that you've already finished somewhere for someone else to read
- Buy a meal for a homeless person
- Draw someone a heart (Noah's idea, and I love it)
- Pay for the meal for someone who is behind you at a drive thru
- Put something you non longer need on Craig's list... for free
- Drop off a teddy bear or two to the local police to give to traumatized children
- Draw somebody a heart (Noah's idea!)
- Drop a few coins in an area where children play and can easily find them
- Write letters of appreciation to groups who are helping the community or environment etc.
- If you know someone who is having a hard time financially, pop a $5, $10 or $20 note in an envelope, disguise your writing or type the envelope, and post it to them.
- Drop off a toy or a game at a hospital.
- Give someone a hug (Noah again!)
There are thousands of ideas.. these are just a few to get your creative juices flowing! I challenge each of my friends and readers of my blog to participate in a Random Act of Kindness or Pay it Forward day as soon as possible. It doesn't even have to cost you anything and I can promise you that the feeling in your heart for having participated will be worth whatever the cost if there is one.
Got more ideas? Post them here.. anonymously or otherwise ~ I'd love to hear them and so would others!
Okay.. one, two three... GO!
Enjoy!
Love it! I was actually the "victim" or recipient of an RAOK about 2 weeks ago. I stopped to buy a coffee at a local coffee shop and was told that it was paid for. I didn't understand and so the barista explained that someone before me had left an undisclosed amount of money to be used until it was gone on everyone that followed. How cool was that! Boy, it sure made my day! I need to try to live up to that!
ReplyDeletethat's awesome Katie! I love hearing those little stories.. they make me smile! Seriously, I think these are the things that make the biggest difference in the world.. if only everyone could see it, and play the game! It's a fabulous game!
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