What are you doing Saturday, April 28? Running errands, getting the car washed? Getting a pedicure?
Tomorrow is also Pay It Forward Day (PIFD). PIFD is a global initiative that exists to make a difference by creating a huge ripple of kindness felt across the world. The organizers’ hope is that people pay kindness forward every day and make each day that little bit brighter. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can literally change the world for the better.
Mother Teresa: If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.
Let’s prove it! PIFD’s aim is to inspire over 10 million acts of kindness around the world. Imagine the difference that would make! Will you join me in paying it forward, and help spread the word about this important day?
Currently, over 80 countries are participating in Pay it Forward Day, and over 100 states and cities have issued official proclamations. Let’s add your city or state to that list!
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
- Get the next person’s food, toll, gasoline, etc.
- Help out someone in need.
- Let others know about Pay It Forward Day through your social media channels.
- Visit your local church and ask if there is any family that might need your help.
- On a rainy day, buy a few umbrellas and give them to those who don’t have one and are getting wet. You could attach a Pay it Forward Card (http://payitforwardday.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/PIF_Card_Tilled.pdf) to the umbrella.
- Donate some of your professional services to someone in need; maybe offer a free hour consultation.
- Visit an elderly neighbor’s house and ask them if they have anything they need repaired.
- If you are washing your own car or mowing your own lawn, do the same for your next door neighbor.
- At your office, thank the “little people.” Everyone’s part is essential and no one’s job is purposeless. Thank the mail guy, the girl who orders supplies, or the door person.
MY PERSONAL FAVORITES
- Tell the manager of a restaurant how great your server was. This can happen in any store or business that you visit. Aim at brightening someone else’s day.
- Buy lottery scratch-off tickets and put one in an envelope with a “Pay It Forward Card” (http://payitforwardday.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/PIF_Card_Tilled.pdf). Hand it to a receptionist on the way out of a business appointment. You just might change that person’s whole life.
- Pay for someone’s cup of coffee.
PAY IT FORWARD IN THE FUTURE
Of course, Pay It Forward Day doesn’t have to be limited to just one day. Get started now on some of these projects that can take a few weeks or months:
- Can for kindness: You can collect cans of non-perishable foods and give it to a shelter or other organization that may benefit.
- Soap Saver: Get a bunch of people who all travel for work and stay at lots of hotels to donate the free soap, shampoo and conditioner towards a group that would benefit.
- Book Giving: Collect books and distribute to needy groups (which might be in a poor country)
- Charity Day: Sell chocolates and other items to raise money for a local charity in need.
- Hospital: Patients may have to pay for the use of the television. Perhaps you can ask the company involved to offer discounted or free TV for patients.
Ghandi: Be the change you want to see in the world.