Stories Matching 'Paying-It-Forward' Tag (78)Environment Research New Ideas Public Transportation Children Inspiration Teachers Seniors OnThe Road Grocery Store Money Workplace Animals At Home Anonymous Friendship Kindness Kindness of Strangers Courage Small Acts of Kindness Health and Wellness Generosity Sharing Family Respect Neighbors Reconciliation Smile Cards Advice Good Samaritan Giving Money Giving Ability School Church Youth Collective Arts Creative Kindness Random Act of Kindness Homeless Travel/Vacation College/University Holidays Internet Birthday Sharing Food Emergency/Disaster Community Relationships Paying-It-Forward Coffee Shop/Restaurants $100 Kindness Idea Smile Decks Thank You Serendipity Pay-It-Forward Chain Reaction at a Restaurant--posted by mbeal10, on Feb 14, 2010
comments (35) | email this | print | permalink Pay-It-Forward, A Labour of Love--posted by iferlamb, on Feb 22, 2010 Once a year my Great Aunt Glenna (both in relation and in just plain greatness) gets all the ladies in the family together for a weekend at a cabin set in the woods. There are no distractions like television or radio. It is a time to commune with nature and to draw close to one another. We always have the MOST wonderful time! At the most recent of these get-togethers, I decided it would be a lot of fun to get a smile card going. I envisioned it would be passed from lady to lady with one kind act after another the whole weekend. The ... comments (11) | email this | print | permalink Rewarding One Good Deed With Another--posted by wayfarer, on Feb 28, 2010 We were having a mini heat wave yesterday and I was in the supermarket, stocking up on juice and ice-cream. Now, I'm not much of a fan of the hot weather and I was enjoying the fact that it was cooler inside than outside, but the lady behind the checkout was suffering. I asked if she was looking forward to getting out in the sun after her shift was finished and she replied that she might not last that long. She was melting! She explained that she shouldn't have been working that day, but she had agreed to cover someone else's shift. ... comments (21) | email this | print | permalink The Journey of a Kindness Checkbook--posted by iferlamb, on Jul 11, 2011 The green box on HelpOthers.org talks about a $100 contest I submitted an idea that I would love to do. I loved the idea so much that I decided to go ahead and do it, only on a smaller scale. If I am selected as a winner of the $100 contest, I will do it on the large scale. (fingers crossed) Since I work at a Bank getting the supplies for my idea was easy: a plastic checkbook cover and a transaction register (normally for a checking account). Next I wrote a message on the inside cover: "Congratulations! You are currently the bearer of ... comments (36) | email this | print | permalink The Smile Card Exchange--posted by ClemDubois, on Mar 16, 2010
comments (24) | email this | print | permalink A Simple Yet Unforgettable Lesson In Helping Others--posted by nirvjennymj, on Mar 24, 2010
comments (19) | email this | print | permalink Paying Forward a $500 Gift--posted by songinmyheart, on Apr 13, 2010 Every Wednesday for 2 years now, a group of us ladies goes to a special thrfit store to look for some bargains. At this store, you could buy anything you could put in a bag for only $1! I bought a few bags and came home to sort it all out on my kitchen floor, as I usually do. As I was looking at a men's leather coat, I started to check it for any flaws. I felt something in a hidden inside pocket, so I pulled it out . It was store purchase receipts, but I did not think much of it until I unraveled it and ... comments (26) | email this | print | permalink A Profound Sense of Joy in Giving--posted by monkeyinpajamas, on Apr 11, 2010
comments (12) | email this | print | permalink Honoring A Daughter By Paying-It-Forward--posted by MandysMom, on Apr 22, 2010
comments (28) | email this | print | permalink A 15 Year Blessing From A Homeless Person--posted by Blessed66, on Apr 30, 2010
comments (82) | email this | print | permalink Pay-it-Forward Coffee Karma--posted by Andrew, on May 10, 2010
comments (16) | email this | print | permalink Paying Forward A Little Bicycle--posted by Deneen, on May 25, 2010
comments (7) | email this | print | permalink Smile Card Magic In The Sky--posted by Namaste, on Jun 27, 2010 I was at Karma Kitchen, a gift economy project, when a volunteer asked if anyone could use some free drink coupons for a particular airline. I enthusiastically accepted, knowing that even though I don't usually drink, I could use those free drink coupons to "tag" someone with a smilecard. I loved the idea of "tagging" someone with a smilecard and a free drink coupon on an airplane! Fast forward a month or two later, when my girlfriend and I were on a flight to Las Vegas as the first stop of a trip to the Grand Canyon. I had several drink coupons and smilecards ... comments (17) | email this | print | permalink Two Thanksgiving Smile Cards--posted by Bosslady31, on Jul 1, 2010 This is my first time posting a story on helpothers because I have not had the opportunity to use my smile cards yet, but yesterday on Thanksgiving, I had the opportunity to use them twice :) Yesterday morning was thanksgiving and my husband and I were getting ready to head to Atlanta to spend the holidays with family. I was outside packing the car when I noticed a car sitting at the corner of the lane with the flashers on. There was a line of cars behind honking and getting very aggravated but the man at the wheel was just sat there. I called out to my husband and ... comments (8) | email this | print | permalink My Nephew's Birthday Adventure In Paying It Forward--posted by shanwills, on Jul 31, 2010
comments (12) | email this | print | permalink Small Gestures in the Workplace--posted by smileswithhope, on Aug 7, 2010
comments (9) | email this | print | permalink Goodness Begets More Goodness: How a Muffin Changed Our Day--posted by twiceblessed, on Aug 12, 2010 Four of us walk into a coffee shop -- Jessica, Russell, Michelin and I. We're all super committed to birthing a gift-economy world view. Like all activities rooted in generosity, our conversation also takes on an escalating charge as we speak about the nature of things -- "Goodness just begets more goodness. Lots of people don't trust that, because sometimes it takes time, but sooner or later, goodness does beget more goodness." Right then, the waitress comes over and offers us a bran-muffin as a gift. Completely stunned, we look at her silently begging for an explanation. With a smile ... comments (11) | email this | print | permalink An Extra Special Restaurant Surprise--posted by beastly, on Sep 2, 2010 I recently had the chance to have a meal with some close friends who don't live in my city. The choice of restaurant was a pretty fancy one known for triple digit bills. We had a wonderful time together at the restaurant and approaching the end of the meal, I excused myself. I silently headed towards the waiter and asked him to charge the meal to my credit card, but to also not tell anyone that I did it. I signed for the meal and and quickly went back to my seat, no one the wiser for my trip. When it ... comments (18) | email this | print | permalink Ripples From A Smile Card Gesture--posted by cyntcha, on Aug 26, 2010
comments (12) | email this | print | permalink Sunshine Smiles in the Rain--posted by madeusmile, on Aug 28, 2010
comments (14) | email this | print | permalink From Hospital to Home with some Help--posted by luckyman, on Sep 14, 2010 The other day I found an old man and his wife sitting by a footpath looking exhausted. On asking I learnt that he had just been discharged from hospital and was going home ( I could make out some bandages around his neck, partially covered by the shirt ). He and his wife had to walk some distance to reach the bus stop and the hot and humid weather was obviously taking its toll on them both. I made up my mind to help them and I put them in auto rickshaw (a three wheeler taxi) and paid the fare to their house. As he got into the auto, I saw the look of relief and gratitude on his face. It was worth million dollars! I felt very blessed and felt sorry for those who saw his condition but did not reach out to help. For me it is very hard to ignore people in need, especially when I am in a position to help. Who knows ..... some day I may be old .... needing help ..... One sure way to feel good is to do good. comments (7) | email this | print | permalink A Bag of Chips Changes My Son--posted by dgrav, on Sep 14, 2010 Performing acts of kindness seems to have been a theme in my life for a long time. I started when I was a little girl, when I wrote a poem about friendship to a neighborhood lady who always seemed to be in a sour mood and was especially unfriendly to the neighbhorhood children. When I had children of my own, I continued to do acts of kindness in their presence, so that they might learn by example. Sometimes they participated, and sometimes they just observed. Afterwards, each time we would talk about it and it always brightened my day immensely. One day ... comments (39) | email this | print | permalink Two Little Hearts - Both For Sharing--posted by walkingraven, on Nov 2, 2010 I found a website that sells tiny pewter hearts which are not too expensive, so, I bought a batch and I keep a couple in my pocket most of the time. Whenever I find the opportunity, when I am out in stores, at a yard sale or at work or anywhere really, I will ask the person I am speaking with to give me their hand. I put two of those little hearts in the palm of their hand saying, "Keep one and pass the other one on." The responses I get are amazing! If I had won the Lottery there would not be bigger smiles or more excitement. Everyone immediately wants to tell me who is getting the other heart; someone with cancer, their child who was grumpy this morning, and so on. A little sharing really makes people happy! P.S. In my other pocket I carry dog biscuits so even their canine friends can be happy! comments (26) | email this | print | permalink An Extra Special Holiday Gift--posted by mel777, on Dec 16, 2010
comments (10) | email this | print | permalink A Gift-It-Forward Birthday Present--posted by amy, on Oct 9, 2010
comments (21) | email this | print | permalink Kindness Ripples Spread Through Arby's--posted by carol.s.dorman, on Oct 7, 2010 As I stood in a busy lunch line at Arby's I was becoming increasingly worried I would be late getting back to the office. A grandmother and her grandson were keeping the only available cashier busy. The woman had difficulty with all the choices and, after finally placing the order, became very flustered trying to find her cash or her credit card. While this was going on, the cashier had the most gentle and benevolent expression on his face, never once making the woman feel under pressure. His mood transformed my own. I caught his eye and quietly indicated I would pay for the ... comments (9) | email this | print | permalink 30 For 30: A Birthday Wish--posted by HyWy, on Nov 6, 2010
Check out the video below, from a HelpOthers member ... If you're so moved to support Hywy's 30th b'day by doing a kind act in your community, please leave a comment below about your intention, and it will be sent directly to her -- and wil make her day/year. :) Much love to all of you who make this world a better place, one kind act at a time! comments (21) | email this | print | permalink Celebrate World Kindness Day on Nov 13th!--posted by HelpOthers.org, on Nov 11, 2010 "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has." -- Margaret Mead Join us in celebrating World Kindness Day on Saturday, November 13th by, you guessed it, doing something kind for someone else! :) Want to do something kind, but just can't think of what to do? You're in luck! We've got loads of ideas on our site, where you can find one that moves you personally. We've also included some of our favorites here below, which are quick and easy for everyone to do this Saturday in the spirit ... comments (12) | email this | print | permalink My $100 Kindness Mission--posted by keriann, on Nov 25, 2010
comments (21) | email this | print | permalink Doubling the Gifting--posted by pkiracofe, on Nov 27, 2010 Having experienced the joys of giving small gifts to others through regular random acts of kindness, I have increasingly questioned whether I was truly being generous or whether I was seeking ego-gratification or some sort of karmic credit to justify living an otherwise ordinary life. To test this concept, I asked myself if I would be just as generous if the acts were truly anonymous, and I would receive no credit. In seeking out those opportunities, an even more interesting challenge arose - providing random strangers with the opportunity to gift acts of kindness. The first experience was as a restaurant in ... comments (22) | email this | print | permalink
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My four grown children were all home visiting this weekend so we decided to go out for brunch. The centre of attention was my toddler granddaughter. She had never had pancakes before so we were excited about her trying them.
We always try to make our family meals special so this time we decided to order every kind of pancake they had and asked that they be served on one big family-style platter!
We each took turns digging in and also feeding it to the baby, who loved them. There was a lovely environment at the table and lots of smiles. As ... 
About a month ago, while in the drive through at Starbucks, I noticed a woman in a car behind me who appeared to be having a bad day. There were two kids in the back who looked to have too much energy at 8am on a Sunday morning. The line moved slowly and at one point while pulling forward, the woman behind me bumped my car. I could tell this worried and concerned her. The entire time that I waited in line for my coffee this woman didn't smile.
Looking back at her I could tell she was looking at the side view ... 
It was 7 in the morning. I was on a train to another city when I struck up a conversation with a young professional sitting next to me. I gathered that he came from a farming family and was now doing exceptionally well in the IT industry. He also revealed that he was stressed and disconnected from his roots.
He was kind enough to give me a window seat, help a co-passenger when he dropped his coffee, etc. Just small acts which showed what a good person he was.
I was pretty involved in reading my book - a biography on the Dalai Lama. Anyone ... 
Mandy was the kind of girl I was blessed to have as a daughter, the kind of friend everyone wanted to have, the kind of spirit that radiated joy and happiness when ever she entered a room.
Mandy left this world to go be with her Lord on November 15, 2008 in a tragic car accident.
Since then, I have tried to live each day of my life living up to her expectations. I started the Kindness Revolution on Mother's day 2009 and gave out over 100 flowers to random women throughout the weekend along with a card letting them know to ... 
This is a story that happened 15 years ago but it has always stayed with me since then.
On the way back from work every evening, more often than not there would be a homeless man standing at the exit of the freeway. He looked to be in his late 40's but was probably a lot younger. He had shoulder length straight black hair a short beard, and he was of average stature.
His eyes were what struck me the most about him, they were brown and they had a sparkle. Like an inside light that was beaming out of his eyes. ... 
Every day I go into the same coffee shop on the way to work. It's part of a large chain here in the UK.
I am new to the anonymous act of kindness concept. I came across it recently, and a few weeks ago I worked up the courage to ask the Barista if I could pay for a coffee for someone later that day. He looked at me kind of strangely and said "okay" and then put the money in the till. I walked out feeling doubtful that this would ever happen (and privately thinking he might just add the ... 
A couple of weeks back, my friend had a yard sale, and she offered to sell some of our stuff for us. I thought it would be a good opportunity to clean my 7 year old son's room and get rid of some toys that he had long outgrown. We agreed that whatever we sold in toys would be his money.
The night before the sale, we loaded up the truck with toys and a little bike that he was now too tall for. He had taken the bike for a final spin before we left home but happily put it on the truck for the ... 
I want to say thanks to all of you for your special notes and ideas, after I sent my request for 'gifting acts of kindness ideas' for my nephew's birthday last month. I was excited to hear from some of you with suggestions. Pancho suggested that I give him my attention -- as the greatest gift one human being can give another -- yes! Nipun helped out by sharing his own story, and got me thinking further about how I could do a kindness tag, Idaho style. I gave that kid some super-duper hugs, not to mention every bit of attention I could ... 
I went into a local cafe for breakfast one quiet morning with a friend of mine. I grabbed a smile card as I left my car, not knowing quite what I was going to do with it.
During the meal, I noticed a woman sat by herself, absorbed in a book, at the table next to us. I walked over to the waitress, asked how much the woman's check was, and handed her the money and a smile card with the instructions to give the woman the card, with the paid check, but to make sure not to tell her who had done this.
When the woman ... 
Today it is 39 degrees and supposed to be raining. It would have been the perfect day for me to act upon my Kindness Idea.
I was the lucky winner of the December Kindness Idea's Contest on Helpothers.org - where they give you $100 to carry out your kindness idea. My idea was to purchase umbrellas for shelter on a rainy day and small towels to wife your face and hopefully bring a little smile into your day and hand them out to folks who find themselves caught out in the weather unprepared.
Once I received the check for $100 I ran right out and purchased umbrellas ... 
Many years ago, I was a struggling single mom starting up a new business. It was the holiday season, and my boyfriend and I had decided that we would splurge for just one evening, and go out to dinner. We went to the Red Lobster and it got me thinking about my college waitressing days and how much I enjoyed working during that time: people shopping, feeling joyful, and tipping big. I was in the holiday spirit and wanted to give the waitress a big tip, though I knew it wasn't going to be a big Christmas for us that year. ... 
I submited a kindness idea to Helpothers.org $100 kindness contest and I won. Armed with $100 and a mission - WOW! What an amazing week I just had! It started out last weekend - the first goal was to fill 20 “Smile Baggies” to give out.
I had so much fun all Saturday picking out the items to buy. I'm a single mom of a teenager, so the opportunity to buy something without worrying about whether it would hurt our monthly budget made me feel like I had won the lottery!
I picked out some practical items – a post-it note pad, pen, hand sanitizer wipes, ... | Home | About Us | Our Friends | Get Involved | Contact us |  |  |  |