So there is this movie call "Pay it Forward". For those of you out there that do not know what it is about, it is about a seventh grader who is given the assignment to come up with a project that will change the world. The whole plot of the movie is irrelevant right now, but the thing that this little boy does to change the world is help three people. Rather than have them do something for him in return for his good gesture, he tells them to "pay it forward", or in other words, do something good for three other people.
I saw something today that made me start to think about this phenomenon. One of my friends called me and asked if I wanted to go get ice cream with her. Even though I had no money I decided to go to give her some company as I have not spent time with her for a while. Long story short she had to pay with small change (It was her intention the whole time to do so). While in line I had mentioned that if I were a by stander seeing someone buy something small like ice cream and having to pay in small change, I would step in and offer to pay for it myself, thinking that I am a good person and money doesn't mean anything to me (I still recognize the importance of money and I know how to properly use the money that is in my possession).
After saying that I got to thinking how many other people out there would do something nice like that for a complete stranger. The more I thought about it, I could still only come up with a few people. I guess the point that I am trying to get at in this is I do not understand how people can be so absorbed in their own lives that they can't stop for a second and see that other around them need help, or even a kind gesture.
I know that many other people have started blogs like this, but after thinking about this today, I want to start one of those blogs. I am going to do one years worth of random acts of kindness. I have started a new blog to track my success on this. you can view it here
I feel that people just need to be reminded that it does not take much to do something nice or change someones day. I have a good feeling about this, and I truly think that I will inspire others to do good also. Part of my feeling for this may come from being an Eagle Scout. Part of it may come from the aspects of service that my fraternity preaches. Part of it might just me being me. This is going to be an interesting year, and I am very excited.
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Little, I think that is a wonderful idea! I've done small things before like that, or I've paid for the person behind me at the turnpike toll-booth; just small things but I think in the end it makes other people want to do the same kind of small act of kindness. This is also something good to keep in mind-- "Pay It Forward" is on a lot of districts 9th and 10th grade reading lists, so you can use this later in your teaching career. Good luck with your acts, and know that if nothing else, I appreciate that someone out there is thinking about their greater role in making society better :)
ReplyDeleteFantastic. I started a goal of 365 poems back in 2002. It lasted for 5 years. I hope yours lasts that long!
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful idea ... some ideas that might help you are buying an extra candy bar/gatorade in vending machine, post-it notes are great for little messages and notes, and mailboxes too (use those pre-paid postage envelopes that you get from credit card companies and stuff).