Southland Times paying it forward this Christmas

Many of you may have seen the movie ‘Pay It Forward’ or have read the novel of the same name, a story about a young boy who did three good deeds for others in need.

In return, all that the child wanted was that they pass on the good deed to three other people and keep the cycle going. One good deed might not seem like much, but if everyone did something good for someone else, then the cycle of generosity and kindness can spark us to become better people.

So how does it work?

Do between one and three good deeds for others without asking for anything in return.

The difference we can make is phenomenal.

Here are a number of examples that might help give you some ideas:

1. At a drive through, pay for the car behind’s meal and give the cashier a Pay it Forward card to pass on…You could do this at the train station, at a coffee shop – anywhere you like.

2. If it is raining, give your umbrella together with a card to someone who does not have one.

3. Visit an elderly neighbour’s house and ask them if they need to have anything they need repaired.

4. Donate some money to your favourite charity – perhaps collect some donation money from people at work.

5. Tell the manager of a restaurant how great your waiter/ waitress was. This can happen in any store / business you visit. Aim at brightening someone else’s day.

6. Talk to parking attendants – try and get them to hand out Pay it Forward cards instead of Parking fines – wouldn’t that be nice? Alternatively you could top up other people’s parking metres to stop them getting a fine.

7. Cook a casserole for a new mother. Caring for newborns is tiring and draining. Mothers will appreciate the ability to eat something home-cooked without having to cook it herself.

8. Buy a scratchie ticket and put one in an envelope with a ‘‘Pay It Forward Card’’ inserted. Hand it to a receptionist on the way out of a business appointment. You just might change that person’s whole life.

9. Give a homeless person some food vouchers along with a Pay it Forward card.

10. If you are washing your own car or mowing your own lawn, do the same for your next door neighbour.

11. At your office, thank the ‘‘little people’’. Everyone’s part is essential and no one’s job is purposeless. Thank the mail guy, the girl who orders supplies, or the door person.

12. Drive an older person in the neighbourhood to the grocery store (they will love the opportunity to get out of the house, as well) or if they aren’t able to go themselves, take their list and go to the store for them.

13. Be a mentor for someone who needs some support.

14.Do some work for a client or one that can’t afford your services free of charge – just ask that they Pay it Forward.

Why Pay it Forward

There are numerous benefits attached to paying random acts of kindness forward and helping someone else in need. Specifically:

■ Doing good for others can have a powerful, positive effect on the immune system,

■ By contributing towards the greater good self worth and self esteem improves,

■ It can prevent people from becoming isolated, encouraging them to meet new people and step outside of their comfort zones,

■ Chronic negativity can be dismantled in the mind as positive energy flows from giving to others,

■ Studies have revealed that kindness helps relieve stress, which is a huge problem in many workplaces.

This year, the Southland Times are Paying It Forward. A portion of the cost of the advertisements in this feature will be donated to the staff and children at the Southern DHB’s Children’s Ward. Hampers will be delivered to the ward by our staff to help create a merrier Christmas for the cities younger patients and their caregivers.