Did You Ever Have A Pay It Forward Experience?

The concept is an old one - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" (or other, earlier forms) - with a new twist; the act is not merely simple reciprocity, but to be generous, kind, or what-have-you to someone other than the one who was kind to you, and multiplied by three.

It's not unusual for me to do kind things for people. I am 56 years old, and was taught early that if you are kind to people without looking for recognition, reward, or approbation, that is the true meaning of charity. I've tried to live my life that way, but unfortunately there are times that I've been stomped on pretty good, just for being nice. Life, especially in these gimmie-gimmie-gimmie-selfish-take it-all-even-if-you-have-to-steal-it times, can be rough for someone who wishes everyone would stop being so hateful to one another.

A 'pay it forward' opportunity seems to manifest itself each time I have to drive somewhere. I live in a city where everyone constantly seems to be aggressively rushing to get somewhere, and to he11 with anyone else. Some people who are ordinarily quiet and meek, turn into complete raving lunatics behind the wheel of a motorized vehicle. Those who are overly stressed are often like this, and they will not give an inch to anyone - in kindness, or otherwise.

I am fairly aware of people around me - and I try to stay alert for people who are waiting patiently for a gap to give them a chance to pull out into heavy traffic. I try to be the one who allows them into traffic, not because of any kind of hoped-for reciprocity, but because I see myself sitting there hoping for someone kind enough to let me get out onto the road, and I sympathize. So I tend to be kind to people who are stuck waiting for their chance to get into traffic. Sometimes I find another person who is kind enough to let *me* into traffic when I am waiting. I take that to be a 'pay it forward' type of experience, even though it's without the 'help three others' concept.

It's not the only way I do nice things for people, but it is a very simple way to hopefully start the world on the way to being kindly to one another. I, perhaps a bit naively, have a desire to someday see us ALL treating each other with respect, kindness, and generosity.

I strongly believe in the rules of attraction of the Universe. I don't mind if you call me crazy.
Since I got introduced to it, I try to practice. It was hard at the beggining, but now I see myself doing things to help others, just because I can, and then, unexpected things happens, and someone do something, to help me, on a different situation.
It's a very good feeling, because you help someone that you may don't even know, because you can do it in that precise situation, and that's all, and sooner or later, through someone you may not know and not ever seen again, been helped.
That's how it works, when you do it with an open heart.
I don't think it makes me a better person, but I do believe it helps a bit to make this society a little less selfish and unkind.

Please excuse my terrible redaction, english is not my native language.

maybe you need some more corn in your life.

I try to treat others the way I would like to be treated. I don't do it in order to get anything in return, but to make a positive difference in their lives. I can think of one friend in particular who has constant struggles and comes to me for advice, and someone else said that she really benefits from my help. She sees me as one of her best friends. There have been times when it's been difficult, for reasons I can't go into here, but the difficulties have always been resolved.

I've had a number of people respond with appreciation and kindness, not that that's why I do it, but it assures me that my efforts have not been in vain. Once I told a group of people they were doing a great job at something. I told them this not long after I heard from someone else that one of them was thinking of quitting this particular task, because of certain discouragements. A year and a half later, they are still doing it, and doing it well.

I've also had some people take advantage of me and be downright nasty. These people have either had major problems in their own lives, already been nasty anyway, or both. I have an anxiety disorder and sometimes struggle with depression, so this has been particularly hard for me. A few times I have even felt suicidal as a result. But I am still here now, and glad to still be here :-)

I am also happy to say that one of the people who took advantage of me now has a better life than they did before. Not because of me, I hasten to add. They still have some problems, and sometimes I still get upset with them, but their quality of life has improved considerably. Again, I'm not saying this was because of me. But it makes me feel like the pain and grief of the past - and believe you me there was plenty of that - has somehow been worth it.

This may sound irrelevant, but a few others have commented on how I have been through the mill - not specifically with the issues described here, but for other reasons. Perhaps my mental health struggles are at least partly linked to that. But the way I see it is this: You can respond to tragedies and the harsh unfairness of life by lashing out or going off the rails, or by becoming cynical and distrustful of people. OR you can respond by being kind, sympathetic and generous to people to protect them from some of the crap in this world, and by looking out for people who are hurting, marginalised or lonely and being a rock for them. You can use the crap in your own life to be sensitive and supportive to others going through similar things. As a result, their lives may improve, and you may even stop someone giving into despair and/or taking their lives.

There is enough bad stuff in the world - let's not add to it by being hateful, selfish or obnoxious, or by taking revenge. Never underestimate the effect your positive and thoughtful words, gestures and acts - however small they seem to you - have on others. Sometimes it's the "small" things that really count - a comforting hug, a "Well done", simple everyday politeness. We can all be someone else's miracle. BELIEVE in yourself my friend <3 <3 <3

**Sorry, the squiggles at the end are meant to be hearts. They worked out fine on Facebook, but not here. I'll try again using a different method: ??? Love and hugs

I pay it forward all the time with my kids. So they can witness random acts of kindness. Hopefully they will continue the tradition. I did this even before I saw this movie. I'm not a wealthy person. And I'm a single parent. So I can only do so much. Mostly we pay for food in drive-thrus for the people behind us...and little things like that. Hoping to cause a chain reaction. Idk if its ever worked. We just imagine it does. ;) It feels good to make other people feel good for no reason at all...