How Are You Paying It Forward?

[Daryn Kagan]

We have a great story on DarynKagan.com today about a wonderful trend happening at coffee houses around Denver. Seems there's an epidemic of folks paying for the order of the customer behind them in line. I guess that makes it a "pay it backward" event, but I think you get the idea.

Anyhow, here is the story.

I was wondering if you have any Pay It Forward rituals. I make it a habit of always paying the .50 toll for the stranger behind me on Atlanta's Hwy 400. For me, it's a cheap thrill. I always delight as I drive away and watch in my rear view mirror as the person in the toll booth waves the next person through. The way the traffic flow works, that person pretty much never catches up to me, so it is a true gift. Makes me giggle every time.

What about you?

[Erin]

I have a happy habit of stashing cash in pockets (sort of like the King from the burger king commercials, but different!) a block from my house is a dollar general store that I visit frequently, and sometimes I'll find a cute item of clothing and put money equal to its price and put in the pocket, so when they get it home, they realize they got the clothing for free ;)

[Elizabeth Herzer]

Erin that is a very creative give! I am going to have to try that.

This past Monday I had great fun with a small gift. I purchased a $10 McDonald's gift card, and then drove out of my way to actually get on the toll road, which is a first ;) When I passed through the booth I gave the $10 gift card to the lady in the booth - her smile and surprise made it so worthwhile! I asked her to do something nice for someone else today too - a phone call or a smile possibly. I then paid for the next 3 cars passing behind me, and gave my remaining $1 bill to a homeless man at the red light. It was not a huge amount, but I hope that within a few minutes I was able to impact 5 people's day in a positive way.

Daryn, I love the story you have up on this today - there are a lot of awesome people in this world!

[Sophia Andrews]

My pastor is known as the "$500 Man" in his neighbourhood. There is a wealthy gentleman who lives in his area who calls him up every time someone in the area experiences a tragedy or major difficulty. This gentleman provides $500 and asks my pastor to deliver it to the person in question. So, this gentleman annonymously provides the money, but my pastor gets to be the deliverer of the much-appreciated gift. The experience has had such an effect on him. He says it's the greatest feeling to experience the joy and gratefulness of those on the receiving end. His story is yet another example of how anyone, using creativity, can contribute good to the world in their own unique way.

[MiVida]

Oh my goodness. I had not been on the site in the last few days and hadn't read any of the posting but this is exactly what I was thinking when I posted yesterday. I thought about how many people are having a hard time this year, losing homes, family members and even a piece of themselves. I was thinking of ways that my family and I could bless someone else, Randomly. WOW! It blesses me to know that I am on track and that others are out there doing the same thing.

Keep it going Daryn, I am right behind you.

MiVida