Wanna know one of my favorite things about the Christmas season? No, it’s not the cheesy Hallmark movies (although they are pretty awesome). I’m totally a sucker for the Christmas spirit. I’m not talking about the decorations, eggnog (vomit), or Christmas trees. I’m talking about nice people, happiness, and unicorns generosity.
For the entire month of December, people tend to be nicer. Why? Shouldn’t we try and be nice more than just one out of 12 months? I sure as heck think so. It’s for that reason I have decided to commit to ‘Pay it forward’ at least one time between now and Jan 31st.
For those that don’t know, paying it forward basically means you do something really nice for someone else, without expecting anything in return. The idea is that if you do something nice for someone, hopefully they will do something nice for someone else, etc, etc, etc. One action can snowball in to a world of generosity.
It’s time for this Ninja to do a good deed and I’m starting to explore my options. Perhaps I will help an old lady cross the street, rescue a baby from a burning building, or donate my body to science. The possibilities are truly endless.
Seriously though, I am on a mission to Pay it forward and complete a Random Act of Kindness, so if any of you have any suggestions, or things you have done in the past, please share so I can completely weigh all options. Perhaps you will even consider joining me on this excursion? I’m convinced PF bloggers are some of the coolest people in the world so I’m excited to hear what ya’ll got for me 🙂
p.s. I’m looking for an Act of Kindness that is substantial, I would hope we all do nice things on a regular basis, but I’m thinking I want to do something out of the norm.
From time to time, as your budget allows, buy a bunch of pizzas for people at the homeless shelters. Most of us love pizza, but folks there don't even have that simple luxury. I used to be able to do this from time to time (when I was making more than twice what I make now… thanks, recession!) and it really gives you a nice feeling.
What about having your bone marrow tested to see if you could help a stranger in need of a transplant…..it involves needles but pretty cool act and if there is no match today they put you in the library so if there is a future need they can still match you.
I second this. I've been on the bone marrow list for 5 years now (since my brother needed a transplant and I wasn't a match for him). I've never been called upon to do it, but if someone needed my marrow I would do it in a heart beat. A little pain on my part is nothing compared to the chance at life that it would give the recipient.
I love Mom Ninja's suggestion. I think that she's on the money!
Wow Mom Ninja's act of kindness is really a selfless act. That would be amazing. Other things you could do is do some yard work for a neighbour without them knowing, make an annonymous card for someone to let them know they are appreciated, volunteer at a soup kitchen, donate some extra money to a charity or leave an extra nice tip at a restaurant…endless possibilities!
Since your in San Diego, my initial thought of scraping the ice off your co-workers' car windows or shoveling snow from your neighbors' sidewalk probably won't work for you, but that's something hubby and I do occasionally in the winter. You probably need to first decide how much time and / or money you want to dedicate to the prospect and go from there. The other suggestions give you a good start.
Ice? San Diego? I'm confused!!
Argh… I meant, "since you're" not "since your". And I was an English major! Good grief.
Congratulations on exploring "spiritual economics" 😉
regarding the bone marrow testing, you can actually register yourself for the bone marrow registry (http://www.marrow.org/index.html) and it doesn't involve any needles (unless of course you are a match for someone!)
the equivalent in Canada is the One Match (http://www.blood.ca/CentreApps/Internet/UW_V502_M…
Its very selfless.
Also, donate blood. Its easy, free, and it helps people within hours of being donated.
Other random acts of kindness could involve donating some sporting goods to a team in an underserviced area of your city, or perhaps offering your time to a volunteer organization for those in need.
My mother sometimes offers to drive her elderly neighbors to doctor's appointments or the grocery store. For people who can't or shouldn't drive, it can be a big help to have someone drive them places now and then.
Wow great info….thanks for posting that
Give one lucky Geometry tutee a free tutoring session! But I'm not sure how far High Schoolers will go in paying it forward… Also, you probably aren't interested in LOSING money doing this, right? Haha.
I think most people do random acts of kindness often and don't realize it. Whether it's holding the door open for somenone, helping people put their suitcase in the airplane overhead compartment or letting someone with one item in front of you at the grocery store.
The world is kinder than we sometimes give it credit.
I'm going to pay it forward by making you a batch of Alton Brown's homemade eggnog. You'll thank me. 🙂
the Dad,
Climbing Out
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