PROJECT PAY IT FORWARD FOR THE HOLIDAYS
A chance encounter with a co-worker a few years ago sparked a crazy idea that has grown into a tradition. It began like this...
I asked her what she was doing for the Holidays and she said, "My family has decided we have enough stuff. We're very fortunate so we're going to hand out twenty dollar bills on Christmas Eve."
This is how it all started.
The news this year, more than any other year I can remember, is full of darkness and negativity. It seems our world is going haywire. This really got my brain going about how we could start a wave of love and positivity. Through my social media accounts I'm fortunate enough to have a global audience of amazing people. I'm a firm believer that there is still more good than bad in the world and I'd like to prove it.
Our society has turned the Holiday season into a frenzy of consumerism that brings with it a whole host of negative emotions for a lot of people. More than any other time of the year, the Holidays make people long for loved ones who are no longer here, brings back feelings of regret, it can make people feel like they don't have enough money or things, and like they don't measure up in general.
“"The miracle is this: The more we share the more we have." -- Leonard Nimoy
Your Participation Is Requested.
What I propose, if you can spare it, is to invest $20 in the goodness of humanity. You can use this $20 to help someone you know or a stranger you cross paths with. Pay someone's bill in a restaurant, buy a homeless person a hot meal, or simply hand someone a twenty dollar bill and say Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays or whichever Holiday Greeting you prefer. It's easy to forget that each of us are fighting a battle every day and, despite appearances, we have no idea what kind of struggles others are going through.
This idea is very simple. It serves a twofold purpose. It may just help renew someone else's faith in the goodness of humanity and, I promise, it will make you feel INCREDIBLE! This simple act will bring you much more joy than anything the $20 could purchase. In fact, it might be the best gift you never get this year. : )
I'm doing it and will report back my results!
If you decide to participate, please share your results by tagging your post with #payitforward. I'll be reposting this a few times per week until Christmas.
Spread the word by RESTEEMING this post or sharing on other social media outlets. Let's start a wave of light to drown out the darkness of this world...or maybe just not to have to think about it for a little while.
Thank you for your interest in my work this year, my readers allow me to keep doing this. May your Holidays be rich with all the things that truly matter.
With Gratitude,
~Eric Vance Walton~
*I am an American novelist, poet, traveler, and crypto-enthusiast. If you’ve enjoyed my work please sign up for my author newsletter at my website. Newsletter subscribers will receive exclusive updates and special offers and your information will never be sold or shared.
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What a wonderful idea Eric, I will definitely join in paying it forward!
My dear hubby does this kind of thing all of the time and does not always tell me about it; quiet little deeds like dropping a bag of food off with the jobless, buying airtime for, often takes a ride with a neighbour who's battling to get a job to the petrol station and fills his car up, I happen to hear afterwards.
There are a myriad of ways we could brighten people's day!
You echo my exact sentiments here as I also believe there is much more good in the world than bad, and we should be the ones to bring more of that goodness out!
And we all forget:
We need more human beings like yourself, with a true humane spirit!
Thank you @lizelle! It's great that your husband does this regularly! One thing my travels have taught me is there are great and caring people everywhere. It's sometimes the people with the least that are the most generous. Most people don't realize because the mainstream media doesn't always report it, they like to perpetuate the negative stories.
A very interesting tradition, my friend and you are right, it is not so difficult and noble at the same time. I agree with you, making such a gift, we will get more pleasure for ourselves and bring joy to others! Thank you Eric
Thank you @serkagan!
This days are days to share in family and try to be more useful with people that needs our help here in my country colombia there are a lot of people without any cent to buy something but definitely you can find someone than help that person in almost each corner so and the helper is someone with no too much money but with big humanity. Regards
Hello, @ericvancewalton be sure and let us know how it goes for you.
Last year I gave 50 dollars privately to a neighbor that has children and on tough times.
There are so many people needing help nowadays. The news always has a story during the holidays with someone throwing money out to people.
Have a wonderful holiday. 🙏
This year I plan to give to some people not expecting it. It may be next year until it happens depend on the flow of cash.
I usually buy or make something for friends and send money to family because it is so expensive to ship.
I am paid tow booths so the next guy is paid and paid for meals for people that do not know me before they leave and I am gone.
Once I offered in a convenience store to pay for someone's things and they refused. I tell them to pay it forward, In my experience, it is best to do in secret.
I definitely will report back how it goes! I prefer to do it anonymously as well! I do it occasionally throughout the year but people seem extra stretched financially around the holidays. Thank you and I hope you and the family have a great holiday!
Thanks Eric I resteemed to help you get the word out. :)
I appreciate the support my friend!
This is an excellent idea, Eric! That's the true spirit of Christmas :) Upvoted and resteemed. I will try to participate in this as well, as I think it's a truly great idea :)
Thanks for supporting the project @honeydue! I really appreciate it.
This is a great idea, in india millions peoples use this idea everyday .
It's wonderful that the citizens of India are this giving!
If we have money and we do not help the needy. Then we do not have the right to be called human.
if only to turn that gratitude into RADtitude ! peace
Would giving away $20 worth of Steem count?
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Absolutely!
Beautiful! God bless you and yours sir!
Thank you! I echo that back, bless you and your family!