pay it forward- random acts of kindness

quasi similar story.

in october, i was working in a VERY affluent part of town. as i worked, a woman walked out of a house, looked at my haggard mug, winced and drove off. moments later, i was mapping right about where her car was parked. there was about $200 in cash on the pavement. no answer at that door, but the neighbor held the money for when he saw her again. she was not the resident, but a housekeeper, and needed that dough badly. she got it back.

at the same time, i had a request in to management for payment to a state test prep session. the day after she got her dough the bosses approved my request.

maybe there is karma, or guardian angles or whatever manifestation of good fortune...my guardian angle is oblique:stakeout:

My wife and I tend to do something like that around Christmas. This year, on Christmas Day, I stopped in at the convenience store where I shop almost every day. Decided that no matter who was working in the store they would each get a $10 bill and a "Thank you" for being there to serve me and others. No big deal.

A few days later one of the women told me that she had regifted her $10 within two hours. A young couple stopped to buy gas to get back home with their two little children. They only had a couple of dollars and that wouldn't be enough to get them there. She bought them $10 worth of gas so they could get home. The relief evident was enough to assure her that they were truly desperate.

I'm sure these stories happen all over, every day, but we don't hear about them often enough - I wish we did, because they always make me feel so much better about everything. I stop every morning at the same convenience store for coffee; one day, a younger man approached me asking for a few dollars for gas money. This happens once in a while, and usually I don't carry much cash, but that day I had a a few extra dollars, so I gave the man what I had. A few weeks pass, and I had forgotten about it, when one morning he approaches me again at the same place - and hands me 4 bucks. I remembered his face, and he thanked me with such a genuine tone of gratitude, that I was touched. I took the money into the store, and gave it to the cashier and told him the next few coffees for the next customers are on me. Anyways, it felt really good to help, and even better that he remembered me and was so glad to pay it back/forward as it ended up. It's the little things that matter sometimes.

my random act of kindness no. 1 - Wendell and Angel -I just donated to your site:-D

Found two 20 dollar bills in our mail box last Sunday????
God Blessed!

Many times when I see a table of young soldiers at my favorite eatery, I will pick up their tab. BUT then that is not paying forward, that's paying back, isn't it?
In the summer months, watch for the kids on a military convoy and pick up their tab. You'd be surprised how good that can make you feel. B-)

Christmas day: I was up at the store for some beer. Thought I took enough cash for beer and smokes. Nope, I was short 72 cents. Feller standing next to me "how much you short man?". He handed me a dollar without a thought. I handed him back the change and he said to keep it. I told him I didn't need and that I plenty of cash at the house but just don't carry more than I need.

The owner wasn't there. He always just spots me. I'm up there about 2 out of 3 days anyway so it's not like he doesn't know who I am.

I've bought breakfast, beers and cigs for neighbor several times over the last couple weeks. If one of us is broke and the other isn't, we'll buy for each other. We both figure it all comes out in the wash in the end anyhow.

Another neighbor's Mom sometimes stops by to visit. We enjoy each other's conversation even though we come from incredibly different backgrounds in about every way imaginable. She's always broke and I have no problem taking us out for a sandwich. Usually, it's just beer and smokes. I'll usually put $10 gas in the car for her if she needs it.

Guess I learned that from working with Dad at his pharmacy. He never turned someone away for a necessary prescription if they were broke. Didn't matter if they already had a big tab ran up.

Good Thread!

Paying forward is a wonderful concept, but even when I think that's what I'm doing, I've been so blessed that I know I'm ALWAYS paying back.

Don

Don nailed it

I, too, have had so many blessings come my way, especially at times when I really, really needed something.

One of the greatest things is to watch someone else carry out one of those random acts of kindness and know that you were one of that person's positive influences guiding them to think of doing such things.

Don nailed it

Same here. Some Professors many years ago helped out my sorry butt, and I help students now whenever I can. Every so once in a while they'll come back to campus and return the favor in spades to help out someone else.

Really nice to see the end result of your own influence to help others.

My "Random Acts of Senseless Kindness" are smaller than the fellow at the deli, but I think that in general they are more on point to getting some help to someone that really needs it instead of being a rather generous gesture as that was.

I never know when I am going to do one, but it always feels like it was the correct thing to do.

I do believe I will continue the practice.

B-)

:good: :good: :good: :good: :good: :good: :good:

I live near Ft. Campbell and sometimes see a group of the soldiers having a meal at a restaurant. I will often get the waitress to secretly bring me their ticket as I leave and pay on my way out the door.

However, it actually seems to be for selfish reasons I do so, because it sure makes me feel good to imagine their happiness at knowing they are appreciated.

You're welcome.

Anonymous

if that was you geezer, i think you would have given me a hug after 20 years;-)

> Took my family out to a Jason's Deli last saturday to dine out-my wife, 3 children and a guest. We placed our order, gave the cashier my debit card, and the guy said
> "dont need your card sir.Someone in the restaurant is taking care of it" (he was holding someone elses credit card). $41 and change.
> Apparently, who ever offered to pay(and remain anonymous) was doing the random act of kindness thing. Thank you.
> makes me want to start the process of geting to 26 I believe the number is...:-)

Someone did something similar a few years back on Christmas eve, as I was going through the Lincoln Tunnel the toll operator said not to worry about the 6.50, some guy ahead of me had paid for the next 20 cars. I thought is was cool so I gave the next homeless guy I saw $20, figured it would be a good way to pay it forward.

Ralph

> my random act of kindness no. 1 - Wendell and Angel -I just donated to your site:-D

I love stuff like this!! It puts good, positive energy into the world and if everyone keeps it up, it spreads like a wildfire and just makes everyone in general feel great about themselves and get the "warm fuzzies." :-$