Pay It Forward

Around this time last year I posted a "pay if forward" list of ideas that I had hoped to achieve during 2011. Looking back, I can both happily and regrettably say that I finished nearly half of the deeds on my list. While I do not think a kind gesture should be pre-calculated, tallied, or kept in a memory bank, I do like to jot down ideas to keep my mind and heart in the right place during a season filled with so many distractions. I am going to repost my same list, because quite honestly I think I should follow such guidelines more often.


My 'Pay It Forward' List:

• Hand write and mail a note 'just because' to a friend or relative.
• Bring a meal to a neighbor or friend when they are sick.
• Spend an hour playing games with the residents at our local convalescent hospital.
• Pay for the person behind me in a fast food line.
• Mow my neighbor's lawn or pull weeds out of their planters.
  
• Bring a pile of old magazines to my doctor's office for her waiting room.
• Take unused clothing and household items to a shelter or Goodwill.
• Tape the exact change for a soda or snack to a vending machine.
• Leave a couple pieces of candy on a coworkers desk with a note.
• Pay for the person behind me at a toll booth.
• Call a family member or friend on the day of a test or other important event and tell them I'm thinking of them. (I want to push myself to go beyond my comfort zone and actually call them. No text messages, IM's, Facebook comments, etc)
• Offer to babysit for our friends who have kids so they can enjoy a night out.
• Draw colorful pictures and bring them to St. Joseph's or LA Children's hospital for patients' windows.
• Leave behind my magazine or book on a plane.
• Make an extra sandwich and snack bag for a homeless person I see often.
• Start off by telling a customer service agent "I know this problem is not your fault." I often blame them, which is completely unfair and not right.
• Return an extra shopping cart to the front of the store.
• Write a note with an encouraging thought and put it in someone's lunch bag or coat pocket.
• If nothing else, simply open the door for someone and leave them with a smile.

I'd love for you to join in as well and create your own lists (don't worry about repeating ideas- all are welcome!). If you do, please be sure to link your post in the comment section below. I'd love to read them!