“Is the world just shit?” asked 12 year-old Trevor McKenney. But instead of just settling in for a life in this world, he did what he could to make a better one. One good deed at a time. Yes, you the film buff, the quote is from Pay it Forward. But it’s about so much more than a classic movie. Can one idea really change the world? It’s time to find out.
Pay it Forward Day is an international initiative practiced the 26th April. It is based around the book and the subsequent movie Pay it Forward. If you haven’t seen or read Pay it Forward stop what you are doing and run (don’t walk) to your nearest video store or library and get it out. It will truly change the way you think about the world.
The whole idea from the book that is celebrated and practiced on Pay it Forward Day is if each person did something for other people, without asking anything in return except to ask them to “pay it forward”, then the world would be a better place.
Last year people across 35 countries participated in the Pay it Forward. This year organisers are hoping to inspire 3 million acts of kindness all over the world.
HOW IT WORKS
The idea is that you complete one good thing for three people asking nothing in return except for them to pay it forward- to do something good for three other people. This hopefully goes on and on so more and more people are touched by the kindness of strangers. The good thing can be as big or as little, as out there or discreet as you like. It’s all about creating small individual changes to create massive world changes.
The Pay it Forward Day website also has cards that you can print off and give to people when you do your good deed so they know what it’s all about and can pay it forward.
STUCK FOR IDEAS?
If you are stuck for some ideas here are some from Pay it Forward Day.
NEED SOME INSPIRATION?
Here is my favourite Pay it Forward story from Pay it Forward Day.
Damien P.Igoe BSc [Hons]MEd recalled that when he started uini he couldn’t afford his fees and text books. A generous lab tech paid for the lot and never wanted to e repaid. Damien didn’t quite understand until 5 years later when a friend was starting uni and could not afford her textbooks…finally he could pay it forward.
So this Thursday 26 April don’t forget to Pay it Forward.
Want to know more? Check out the Pay it Forward Day website.
Photos from: Damedia and The Halfway Point.
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Pay it Forward Day is an international initiative practiced the 26th April. It is based around the book and the subsequent movie Pay it Forward. If you haven’t seen or read Pay it Forward stop what you are doing and run (don’t walk) to your nearest video store or library and get it out. It will truly change the way you think about the world.The whole idea from the book that is celebrated and practiced on Pay it Forward Day is if each person did something for other people, without asking anything in return except to ask them to “pay it forward”, then the world would be a better place.
Last year people across 35 countries participated in the Pay it Forward. This year organisers are hoping to inspire 3 million acts of kindness all over the world.
HOW IT WORKS
The idea is that you complete one good thing for three people asking nothing in return except for them to pay it forward- to do something good for three other people. This hopefully goes on and on so more and more people are touched by the kindness of strangers. The good thing can be as big or as little, as out there or discreet as you like. It’s all about creating small individual changes to create massive world changes.
The Pay it Forward Day website also has cards that you can print off and give to people when you do your good deed so they know what it’s all about and can pay it forward.
STUCK FOR IDEAS?
If you are stuck for some ideas here are some from Pay it Forward Day.
- Talk to parking attendants – try and get them to hand out Pay it Forward cards instead of parking fines – wouldn’t that be nice? Alternatively you could top up other people’s parking metres to stop them getting a fine
- If it is raining, give your umbrella together with a card to someone who does not have one, (it might be worth taking a spare one with you).
- At a drive through, pay for the car behind’s meal and give the cashier a Pay it Forward card to pass on…You could do this at the train station, at a coffee shop – anywhere you like.
NEED SOME INSPIRATION?
Here is my favourite Pay it Forward story from Pay it Forward Day.
Damien P.Igoe BSc [Hons]MEd recalled that when he started uini he couldn’t afford his fees and text books. A generous lab tech paid for the lot and never wanted to e repaid. Damien didn’t quite understand until 5 years later when a friend was starting uni and could not afford her textbooks…finally he could pay it forward.
So this Thursday 26 April don’t forget to Pay it Forward.
Want to know more? Check out the Pay it Forward Day website.
Photos from: Damedia and The Halfway Point.
