Paying It Forward
The holiday season is always a time for me of recognizing that I am blessed to have the life that I have and paying it forward. As a result, it was extremely easy to participate in Emily’s December’s Pay it Forward Challenge of the 12 Months of Bliss Challenge.
Unlike in past months where the challenges were often out of the ordinary events, this challenge was something that I do attempt to do on a regular basis.. Emily encouraged everyone participating in the challenge to pay bliss forward at least once during the month by the way of holding a door open for someone, paying for the car behind you in the drive through or volunteering.
Here are a few ways I attempted to pay bliss forward over the past month.
- Doubled the tip for the hostess at my favorite restaurant who brought my carry out order to my car. (Did you know that very few people tip these individuals. This is a tip I received from a former student who worked at a restaurant.)
- Placed coupons I wouldn’t be using for items throughout my Kroger store.
- Personally thanked those in customer service at Target and other stores by using their names. (If you don’t already, I encourage you to use the person’s name when you thank them. They are often surprised I even know their name.)
- Let several people in front of me when traffic was backed up due to an accident. (We all know how aggravating it can be to be stuck in traffic and have no one let us over.)
- Sent emails and thank you messages for friends and individuals who have supported me as I grow my private practice.
- Held a Christmas brunch for some of my favorite people.
- James and I left a large tip for our waitress on Christmas Eve. We’ve both had jobs where we worked on Christmas Eve and she was a great waitress.
- A lady quickly offered her coupon at Belk when she heard me say I had left mine at home. The sales associate had already attempted to use the code but my purchase didn’t qualify. I was just struck at how quickly she offered (she wasn’t even standing in line)
- The Nurse Practitioner I work with purchased me coffee twice this month without even asking me if I wanted any. (Of course, I did)
- Received a Christmas card and touching note from a dear high school friend I had not heard from in many years.
- Received another email from a friend who shared how much she appreciates and finds inspiration from my blog. (It always helps to know that others are reading.)
- I also noticed that more people appeared to smile back when I smiled at them. In the past, I’ve noticed that many people do not smile but this month there appeared to be a little more of it. (I also realize smiling may not be considered paying it forward but as I discussed in being aware of our energy, I feel it is important to own our attitudes).
Do you practice the art of paying it forward on a regular basis?
Yes, I do. I consider it a human responsibility to be kind and generous to others. What a wonderful world it could be if everyone was on board :).
Hope you have an amazing 2016, Sheryl!
I love how fun it is to bless others in a small way. The holiday season is the perfect time to remind us of doing things like this 🙂
I love this. I definitely need to pay it forward more… Especially because I’m often high-strung and easily annoyed. Those who encounter me could use a little treat. 😉
These are such great ideas! Love the ideas of paying it forward 🙂 It will bring everyone a Happy New Year!
Amanda
AnchortoSunshine.com
I love all your examples of ways to pay it forward. Sometimes the act is so small but the meaning is so huge! I really, really love when I see my husband pay it forward (i.e. hold the door open, tip extra, smile at a little kid in the waiting room). My heart just swells. I can’t wait to teach our future kids to live generously!
I love this! This time of year it’s much easier to remember to pay it forward. I want to challenge myself to keep up the paying it forward throughout the year!
I love this! What a blessing to so many! I love the coupon idea! I did something like this for my 30th birthday and it was so much fun (one thing every day for 30 days).
I absolutely do practice it. It is something I do for ME. I loved all your ways you shared. Addressing people in service by their name has been an intentional thought each time I am out. I know how it makes me feel when people do that to me. The guy at my local grocery store (favorite cashier) has learned my name just by my always addressing him by his name on his tag. How did he know? He asked me. He remembered everytime I talked to him. It’s the little things.
I LOVE that you leave unused coupons at Kroger…I do the same thing. I especially used to love doing it after we stopped using formula but we were still getting coupons for it…that’s something that a lot of people struggle to pay for.
🙂 I smiled the whole time I read this!! I love your point about thanking someone & using their name – I totally agree and that’s something my mom taught me… I think when I was in middle school. I also love that you took note of how others paid it forward to you! All of these are such great ideas I’ll be taking with me as I continue to pay it forward 🙂
This is so nice of you, Sheryl! This has given me great ideas for helping out others. Happy New Year <3
Love that you paid it forward although I knew that was something you would do throughout the year. What I love about this post is that you took the time to share the bliss that was paid forward to you!
Leaving coupons around Kroger–what a great idea! I’m sure people were thrilled to find them, especially at a time of year when money is so tight. Recognizing how other people are paying it forward to you is an awesome exercise too, and one that I wished I had done!