Paying it Forward

Recently I wrote about how I offered an older lady a ride home late at night because I didn't want her travelling by herself. She asked me if she could pay me but I refused. I told her to pay it forward. Last week I had another opportunity to help someone and suggested that they pay it forward. Today, I think the good karma made its way back to me.

Where I work we have a cafeteria and we can set up money accounts to use rather than carrying cash every day. The cashiers who work there are always understanding if we get lunch but don't have enough money in our account. They trust us to go back later and pay. Today I ordered my lunch and when I went to pay for it - you guessed it - my account didn't have enough money in it. I was going to go up to my desk, get some money and return to refill my account but before I had the chance, a lady I'm acquainted with insisted on paying for me. I told her I'd be up to her desk shortly to pay her back and she refused. She told me to pay it forward.

How cool is that?!? I've been on a huge pay it forward crusade and I'm the recipient for today! Even my young daughter is in the pay it forward mode. She's learning about Rachel's Challenge. That's about a girl who was bullied and ended up dead. The schools around here are promoting it like crazy (which I appreciate) so my daughter is all about being kind to others and in turn, they'll be kind to others.

I've been feeling like our world is going to hell in a hand basket for a while and it pleases me to no end when I come across genuinely good people. My hopes get up that things are improving. I'm going to keep on paying it forward, and preach it to anyone around me that will listen. Big movements begin with one person and I'm willing to step up to the plate. Do you want to join me?