OS Members Paying It Forward

sammy_kaye18

Hi All

Im not sure if this is the right place to put this or not but I just wanted to let everyone know about a 'movement' that is called Pay It Forward and wondered if many other OS members did this?

In the book, Reuben St. Clair, the teacher and protagonist in the book “Pay It Forward,” starts a movement with this voluntary, extra-credit assignment: THINK OF AN IDEA FOR WORLD CHANGE, AND PUT IT INTO ACTION.

Trevor, the 12-year-old hero of “Pay It Forward,” thinks of quite an idea. He describes it to his mother and teacher this way: "You see, I do something real good for three people. And then when they ask how they can pay it back, I say they have to Pay It Forward. To three more people. Each. So nine people get helped. Then those people have to do twenty-seven." He turned on the calculator, punched in a few numbers. "Then it sort of spreads out, see. To eighty-one. Then two hundred forty-three. Then seven hundred twenty-nine. Then two thousand, one hundred eighty-seven. See how big it gets?"


Well I am a huge believer in this, its not a religion, or cult or anything just basically doing a good deed for someone else.

A few christmases ago I had an Old Styler guardian angel who did a good deed for me and which i have been paying on since to others (I wont name her incase she gets embaressed but she knows who she is) my family had hit hard times, and out of the goodness of her heart and to my surprise two nights after speaking to her online a tescos delivery arrived at me door, it saw us through that christmas,

i was just wondering if anyone else does this? or if its just me.

Like i said im a huge believer in the pay it forward movement and even have the wrist band to prove it!


i remember reading about someone who was wanting to take a meal to their friend but worried it would cause offence so i know there are others but wondered what other good deeds other OS members had done?

tru

We do it too, all the time I feel like I can say that on here cos no-one knows who I am. Everything we do is anonymous.

We paid something forward 17 years ago then sat back and watched it spread, it's fascinating to see.

It comes back to you too, in a much bigger way than you gave in the first place.

lil_me

Never heard of it, but, I do try to make a difference where I can. My friend's little baby took seriously ill when he was born, I called her and she said she didn't have much money on her phone, few pence so would I call her Mam etc. Knowing she'd want to speak to her Mam I went online and managed to credit her phone for her. When her little one came out of hospital the first thing I took over wasn't a cute outfit for baby but lunch and cake for a very tired Mammy, which I know was very much appreciated. I took little one with me to give her a break for herself. I'm honourary Aunty and a very proud one because he's a little miracle and makes me smile.

Last Christmas was a relatives first Christmas without her Mam, her favourite gift wasn't the expensive perfume but a bauble to put on the tree with a photo of her Mam in it, so she could be there with them every year. She adores her tree and Christmas, it did make her cry but that was because of the thought behind the present, she said it was her best present that year. She then did say ours are always her fave presents, like the year before I got her a spa day, making her take time for herself as she'd been looking after her very poorly Mam all the time. She's been back twice now with friends which has been the best part of that gift, because she's started making time for herself more often.

Thinking of what you would appreciate the most during a difficult time the doing it for someone else, makes all the difference.

sammy_kaye18

good for you tru!

I know Ive paid it forward to a little family hwo live near us, a single mum with her 3 kids and alot of debt and I make sure each month they are fed (ok so alot might be discounted stuff from my job that i get really cheapily or free at the end of the night) but its all frozen and i know they are ok.

Another one i do is christmas - i pay it forward to two families with children who are ill. One I write cards too pretending to be a christmas reindeer in the run up to christmas whether they are in hospital or at home it lets them know santa hasnt forgotten them and the other is am a christmas elf for and i take one child under my wing and go out and buy them christmas presents because normally the parents have so much more going on with their childs illness etc that sometimes christmas is overlooked.

anyone else?

sammy_kaye18

well done lil me. Making a difference to someone else is all that matters , whether its a big gesture or a little gesture

It all makes a difference.

Toonie

There is another forum which I go on which is a group of friends who know each other and we're almost like a family, even though we are spread round a few countries. A few years ago one of the group became pregnant and we all knew her social situation was a tough one, so as a group we decided to get together and put as much money as we could afford into an account and then send her the cheque as a present. She was so touched by what we did and couldn't believe how kind people can be to others they've never physically met.

I'm very much of the opinion that if I have something to spare and don't need it then I will always try to help. Its part of my nature.

bertiebots

I remember watching the film of that story and it was really good...kevin spacey is the teacher I think. I tend to think like this about freecycle and think you should always offer 3 things to 1 that you ask for. I recieved a bike for my son after giving a fridge and gardening tools away to fellow freecyclers, I offered more but they werent collected! I have always thought (not in a religious way) give and you will recieve. Not everything in life is about money and nothing is more valuable that the feeling you get when you help someone else ....!

elona

There is a thread on OS called "Knit your square to give your share" and OSers knit squares to make blankets for help the aged.

There are also patterns for premature baby hats and clothes.

Three blankets have just been made up for Smokey and her children to let them know we are thinking of them.

joey_2

Oh my God this has been like my life philosophy since I read the book (that book really made me blub!) And yes I agree about freecycle bertiebots I've always thought that too!

boddy

I totally agree with this philosophy.

Over the years Ive been helped many times. Over the past 13 years I was a volunteer and counsellor for a womens charity. They provide free counselling and have a education and advice program. I dont like to think what would have happened if this service wasnt there. I was glad to give my time. I left there recently and am now a meeter and greeter at the local hospital.I love this its surprising how many visitors and patients it makes a difference to. I always think it doesnt cost anything to give a smile and a kind word and it could be the only one that person has received that day.

I also tend to recycle things to family or charity shops knowing that it could be just what someone needs. I do believe if you give you receive back threefold.

suzywoozy_3

I too agree with this. When we were newly married and struggling very much an elderly Aunt paid our rent for a few months. There was no way we could ever pay her back and she wouldn't want us to, but we try and pay her back by helping out other people who are struggling.