Another Type of Wealth: Pay It Forward and Random Acts of Kindness

“Kindness is the golden chain by which society is bound together.” –Goethe

Today’s secret revealed is another type of wealth—the power of “Pay It Forward” and “Random Acts of Kindness.”  The intention behind both these worldwide social movements has a wonderfully rich overlap and tapestry.

I would like to praise the many benefits of both and give you some fabulous resources for inspirational ideas of what your pay it forward and acts of kindness could be, how you can reach out worldwide, and sources for real stories from other people.

By the way, The annual Random Acts of Kindness Week is coming up—this year’s is February 9 to 15, 2009, with the World Kindness Week following November 9 to 15, 2009.

The Pay It Forward social movement resulted from an idea that was the premise of the novel “Pay It Forward” by Catherine Ryan Hyde, which also was the springboard for the movie by the same name starring Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt, and Haley Joel Osment.

The story that inspired the movement is about a fictional 12-year old boy named Trevor who believes in the goodness of human nature and he comes up with a plan to change the world for the better—it is “Pay It Forward.”

Nowadays this social movement is spreading this action “Pay It Forward”—you do an unconditional favor (large or small) for another person—without any expectation of being paid back. Then one would request that the recipient of that favor do the same for someone else—ideally for three other people.

Similarly, as with being a giver of a “random act of kindness,” there are many benefits to your overall health not to mention how advantageous your good deed is for the grateful recipient.  Below in my resource list you will see a link to a great article on these health benefits from the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation.

Your generosity can be shown in a very small and impulsive action such as paying someone a compliment, yet it will still have a very large positive impact on the other person, and typically results in a “ripple effect” of that person then being inspired to help another person.

As Mother Teresa said “Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless.”

Or, you may decide to take on more of a long-term commitment, such as start a neighborhood project thereby involving others and inspiring others.
Whatever you decide, your community altruistic act doesn’t have to cost anything at all—you can work with bartering, which people are happy to do.

We all know that this is part of leading a “rich” life, and your kindness will give back to you forever.

“Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.” – Barbara De Angelis

So, here are some great resources for you to get a head start to your next random act of kindness!

1) The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation http://www.actsofkindness.org This site includes inspirational ideas for your random acts of kindness, stories from around the world, a discussion board, a free Teacher’s Guide for encouraging kindness in the classroom and on campus, and much more. They also have great articles, such as this one on “The Health Benefits of Kindness” http//www.actsofkindness.org/node/478425 There is also a list of all the annual Random Acts of Kindness weeks and kindness days on this glorious site.

2) Help Others.org http://www.HelpOthers.org is a portal dedicated to small acts of kindness.  Here you will be able to truly feel how contagious small acts of kindness truly are.  You cannot leave this site without at least 50 new ideas to fill each day for what to do next for someone else!

3) The Pay It Forward Foundation http://www.PayItForwardFoundation.org is a site that reports on the success stories of the pay it forward social movement, so you can learn all about what other people are doing to make the world an even better place.

4) The Giving Game http://www.GivingGame.org Gives a free game which enables you to easily get involved with as their slogan puts it “Do Good. Pass It On.” As their site explains: The Giving Game is based on the principle of kindness. Pass along good deeds and share your story with others on the Giving Game site—it is free to play.

How do you play The Giving Game?

1. Perform a kind act.

2. Leave that person your Giving Game card. Encourage them to perform a kind act and pass on the card again.

3. Log on and enter your “kind act” story.

4. Check the site often and find out what your card has been up to!

Copyright © 2009 by Mara Rogers of Secrets for Money http://www.SecretsForMoney.info

Photo Credit: This photograph “Pentas Flowers” by aussiegall.  For more of this Photographer’s work: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aussiegall/ and http://www.flickr.com/people/aussiegall/

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This article is featured at the Money Hacks Carnival #50 at Curious Cat Investing and Economics Blog
http://investing.curiouscatblog.net/2009/02/04/money-hacks-carnival-50/