April is the month in which we celebrate Pay It Forward Day. This year, Pay It Forward Day takes place on April 30th. I like the idea of a single day in which we all have a heightened awareness of the importance of paying it forward, and it’s my hope that we all adopt an attitude of finding ways to pay it forward every day of the year.
“There is no wrong way to perform an act of kindness.” ― Catherine Ryan Hyde, Pay It Forward Foundation
The wonderful thing about paying it forward is that we honor the people who helped us achieve what we have, and we use our skills, money, tenacity, and kindness to help someone else take the next step in their path, too. Paying it forward reminds us that we don’t succeed alone; we all owe a debt of gratitude to those who push, pull, and inspire us – and gives us a fabulous way to repay that debt.
“We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.” – Sir Winston Churchill
I’m thankful for all the people who have come into my life and help me be the person I am and am becoming. One of my favorite ways to pay it forward is with food, inviting people into my home and office for a meal, feeding the homeless, or sharing a creative exchange over a meal at a new restaurant.
Who has helped you and how will you pay it forward?
“No person was ever honored for what he received, but for what he gave.” – Calvin Coolidge
