A few years ago I watched Pay It Forward, a movie from the year 2000 based on the novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde.
While the movie probably could have been improved upon in it’s delivery of the theme, the concept of paying it forward is really intriguing.
The basic premise of the movie is as follows:
An 11-year-old schoolboy in Las Vegas, Nevada named Trevor McKinney (Haley Joel Osment) is given a class project to complete by his social studies teacher, a man with terrible burn scars on his face and neck. His task is to come up with a plan that will change the world through direct action.
On his way home from school later that day, Trevor notices a homeless man, and decides to make a difference in his life. Trevor then comes up with the plan to “pay it forward” by doing a good deed for three people who must in turn each do good deeds for three other people, creating a charitable pyramid scheme. (Wikipedia)
I don’t wish want to be unrealistic about this concept, or find recruits for the “together we can change the world!” foundation, but here’s what I love about paying it forward: it’s all about taking action rather than talking about doing good things.
There’s a whole heap of things we can do to pay it forward in the real world. This week I was so excited to receive (out of the blue) some Gloria Jeans coffee gift vouchers in the mail from a family member.
How can we pay it forward?
Just off the top of my head, here’s a couple ideas:
- Buy someone lunch
- Give someone some movie tickets
- Wash a car (that’s not yours!)
- Buy Eric Hamm & Leo Babauta’s new Motivation Handbook
- Give someone a massage (ooh la la!)
- Cook up a storm in the kitchen (3min noodles don’t count)
- Take the Smile-Therapy Challenge!
- Give away some free advertising on your website
Any other suggestions?
Let me ask you: Has anyone done something remarkable for you recently?
More importantly, what have you done this week to Pay It Forward?
I’ve had a few friends give me bottles of wine as a gift (how did they know I like wine?). No matter what the gift it, I’m always tickled at the thought.
I recently purchased food for a homeless woman that very kindly asked me.
Carla´s last blog ..Things you dont need to buy – reducing waste
I am kinda superstitious about picking up money that someone has lost. (I feel I will loose 2x as much or something bad will happen) But one day on a bike ride to work there was all this money blowing around just a bunch of singles In the end I picked up 15 of them. By the time I got to work my anxiety was building up so I decided that I would use the money I found to help others – Some People at work were given notice that week So I bought them all scratch off tickets some of them won not a lot but I think it helped. I put some money in various Donation Jars at local stores, I bought someone coffee at Starbucks I paid someones parking meter. I also handed out the remaining 4 dollars to a friend who needed it for Lunch but I explained to them where the money had come from and that they did not need to pay me back but do something good with the 4 bucks. I was surprised How long it took to use the 15 dollars and how my anxiety was replaced by a such a great feeling that stayed with me during the time I was dolling out the dollars. I guess the lesson I learned is that doing good does not need to be expensive. I was able to put out something positive a dollar or so at a time.
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Hi Ross – sounds like an interesting movie. I wonder what happens! I like to go with the idea that we are best doing the things we are inspired to do, and that helps the world out energetically – and, of course, a healthy human naturally wants to help other people out. At the moment I am living at my mother’s place in the country, because she is in hospital, and I can organise things for her!
Robin´s last blog ..Physical Immortality Discussion On Oprah.com
@Carla – Sounds great, I don’t mind wine myself
@Mike A – Interesting story, thanks for sharing – check out Want to be happy? Give your money away – an interesting article that proves what you have shared…
@Robin – Hey there! Thanks for taking the time out to share your life here, I really appreciate it!
Give someone a ticket for a free facial and hair care in a saloon or spa. But I think that no matter we can pay it forward, what counts is the thought if giving.
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I’ve just finished watching the movie, and I believe that you have the interpretation slightly wrong. You’re supposed to do something big, something that they can’t do themselves. Buying someone lunch or giving them a massage shouldn’t count. It would need to be something much bigger than that, although the little things are still helpful of course.