GLOBAL PAY IT FORWARD DAY
Every year on April 28th, Global Pay It Forward Day encourages people around the world to engage in a small act of kindness. It’s a day to respond to someone’s kindness toward you by being kind to someone else.
Has someone ever done something nice for you when you least expected it? Maybe they bought you a small gift. Or they gave you a hug just because. There is a good chance that when someone extended kindness, it made you happy. The act may have made you cry tears of joy. This is what kindness does. And this is why the world needs more of it. When people are kind, it makes you want to be kind in return. Can you imagine if everyone in the world was kind to one another all of the time? Maybe this seems impossible, but it doesn’t mean you can’t try to show more kindness to others.
If someone has recently done something kind for you, why not pay it forward? Do something kind for someone else in return. If you’re not sure how you can pay it forward, here are some great ideas:
- Buy the coffee or meal for the person behind you in line (a great place to do this is the drive-thru).
- Pay a compliment to at least three people you see.
- Send a positive text message or gif to five people on your contact list.
- Send a friend a bouquet of flowers or a box of chocolates.
- Offer free babysitting or dog walking for a friend or family member.
- Donate to a charitable organization.
- Buy a neighbor in need a gift card to a grocery or department store.
There are many, many ways to pay it forward. The key is to extend kindness to someone who least expects it!
HOW TO OBSERVE #GlobalPayItForwardDay
The best way to observe this day is to pay it forward. Use one of the ideas above or look on the internet for other ideas. Encourage your friends, co-workers, neighbors and family members to pay it forward, too. Share with others a time someone extended kindness to you and how it made you feel. You can also gather a group and have a movie night to watch the movie, “Pay It Forward.” Share your favorite pay-it-forward idea or story on social media with #PayItForwardDay.
GLOBAL PAY IT FORWARD DAY HISTORY
Blake Beattie started Global Pay It Forward Day in 2007. Beattie is an international speaker, author, and management consultant from Australia. The book, “Pay It Forward” by American novelist Catherine Ryan Hyde inspired him to start this day of kindness. In 2000, the book was made into a movie starring Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt. This special day is currently celebrated in 85 countries.