Pay It Forward

 "No kind action ever stops with itself.  One kind action leads to another.  Good example is followed.  A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.  The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves."

-Amelia Earhart (1897-1937)

Just like smiles, kindness can be contagious too.  I think "paying it forward" is fantastic for a few different reasons.

A) It brings joy on both sides.  It affects not only the mood of the person who is receiving but also the person giving.

B) It takes the focus off of myself.  Instead of asking myself how I am going to benefit from something, I change the question around and ask how can I make someone else feel good or smile?

C) We could all use a little unexpected goodness every now and then.  It makes us feel like there are still good people in the world around us.

D) One act of kindness could create a ripple effect.  When I do something kind for someone, maybe they go do the same thing for someone else.


Today's Starfish

This morning I went to Starbucks and got my usual Skinny Vanilla Latte.  As I was driving to the window to pay I glanced in my rearview mirror and noticed the elderly man behind me.  That's when I had the idea to pay for his coffee.  Don't get me wrong, I have paid for people's coffee before but only when the pay it forward act has already started and someone else paid for my coffee.  So I gave the barista my card and said, "I would also like to pay for the gentleman's coffee behind me."  And guess what......

The barista said, "That is such a nice thing to do, dear."  And then she gave me a card for a free cup of coffee.

Needless to say, I had a terrific Monday :)

"Kindness, like a boomerang, is usually returned."

-Unknown