A Good Deed – Pay it Forward

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pay it forward a good deed

Pay It Forward

Pay it Forward’ – how cliché’ right? No. This is real world, and real stories… brief, very brief history: During the holiday, ‘Christmas’ season, everyone generally behaves at their best and is most giving to, well, everyone….. While that is amazing, awesome, and wonderful, guess what?… spring and summer comes and people just really don’t wanna give it up. So, I’ve challenged my crew, or students, for a week. Here’s the challenge: One week, you are to do one good deed a day that is OUTSIDE what you generally would do. Many ask, ‘Ms. White, I do good all the time,’ – well then, my friend, this will be difficult for you. I am asking you go outside the box. But, wait.. You won’t do this alone. I, too, will do a random act of kindness for one week. The difference between us? You will submit it to me in a 5 page essay. I will not. (They totally have no idea that I feel obligated to share my results with this site – man, I love being the teacher). So, while I’m waiting to grade my do-gooders, let me tell you how this went with me.

Day One…. Awkward is the best word I can think of. I drove through my local McDonald’s and said, ever so smugly, ‘Hey, I got the car’s tab behind me as well.’ The guy said, ‘Well, you don’t pay until you order, so leave me some money or your card and then drive back around and get it.’ — uhhh, ok,  weird. I did, and fifteen cars later, as I waited to pick up my card, I saw they ordered a few ice creams and fries… ten bucks, and no big deal – except they were waiting on the side to see who was driving the ‘black SUV’…. Awkward.

Day Two – I would love to say I am above Wal-Mart… but alas, I am not. After circling the lot four times to get a ‘five car out’ slot, I settled for an eight car out slot. I succumbed because I was close to the cart placement stalls (where you get to leave your carts since you’re too lazy to take them back in). And I’m all about delayed gratification (knowing I had a huge list of items to get). So, when I was just about to ‘park’ the cart, I thought about the sweet boys I saw pushing them in, and yes… good deed for the day, I took all the dang carts to the front. I was not met with balloons and love, but rather odd curiosity and a weird, ‘uhhh, thanks,’… Ok, you’re welcome. Good deed two, DONE.

Day Three – This seems mild I know, but if you don’t use Glad triflex for your outdoor trash, then you will appreciate me. Mr. ‘I use the Wal-Mart’ sacking bags for trash neighbor….. I gotcha… yes, it was me that walked the entire block picking up your used toilet paper rolls, water bottles, and soup cans. Day three.

Day Four – My son mowed our grass. Chore. BUT, I told him to mow the neighbor’s yard as well. How much would he get paid he asked? Uh, nothing, ole’ boy, but I might feed you tonight. He mowed. The neighbor loved it…. Paid him twenty bucks????? I got nothing. Day four.

Day Five – Me and my girls made seven rolls of the cut and bake cookies (I didn’t want you to think they were from scratch). We bagged them, and put cute stickers on them, and went to a nearby apartment complex and knocked on several doors handing them out. People had no idea why we were giving them cookies, and I honestly had no answer other than to say, ‘we wanted’ to. AMAZING experience. Period.

Day Six – Now we were pumped….. What would be today’s fun, giving thing? Odd, how the more you think of it, the harder it appears to you….. In fact, this one happened innocently enough. We chose to cookout for the weekend. While at the grocery store, the person in front of us was 19 dollars short, and was thinking of what to put back. My 18 year old, with all her money (sarcasm), says, ‘no worries, I got this. Have a good night.’ So, I wondered if I wanted to write an article on pride or venture on…. Day six.

Day Seven, and this is it – I haven’t done anything today… It’s Father’s Day, and I’ve watched. I didn’t go out to pay anyone’s dinner, cut their grass, or feed them anything. The day isn’t over, but my night almost is. Here is what I know for sure: If those we handed off the good deeds to pass it on, then there is an amazing time ahead for my city. In fact, if all of my 120 students actually did 7 good deeds in 7 days, then 5,880 people might just want to ‘Pay it Forward’.

What about you?  If someone does you a good turn would you pay it forward?

About Post Author

Tamra White

Tamra has a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology, and is a Licensed Professional Counselor for Texas. She has a private practice, which offers traditional and online counseling. You can learn more about Tamra at TWhitecounseling.com
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12 years ago

That reminds me of the studies in the contagion of happiness…that happiness effects the friends of friends, etc. who are happy or pleasant and decent. Good stuff, Tamra.

Reply to  The Lawyer
12 years ago

Very true Lawyer…. the goal would be to make this a daily ritual. I, however, have not found a way to make that the ‘norm’.

lazersedge
12 years ago

Tamra, you never cease to make me smile when I read your posts. I really like this idea. I always feel good after I do something for someone for no particular reason. If I wasn’t so darned old I would be looking for the dating website you were writing about being on.:)

Reply to  lazersedge
12 years ago

haha Lazersedge… actually, I decided AGAINST the web dating, so I couldn’t be found regardless. However, what a great compliment to think I could be an option 😉

lazersedge
Reply to  Tamra
12 years ago

It is probably for the best Tamra.

12 years ago

[…] know, but if you don't use Glad triflex for your outdoor … … Read this article: A Good Deed – Pay it Forward ← Piston Slap: A Way Out of The Cadillac Mafia? | The Truth About […]

jenny40
12 years ago

Another wonderful article and what a great experiment. I hope everyone pays it forward. Thanks.

Reply to  jenny40
12 years ago

Thanks Jennyl… me too!

12 years ago

Great post–I love that you made this an assignment (talk about using your sphere of influence!) and that you took it to heart yourself. I have no doubt that these memories will last with your kids as well, and that’s a beautiful thing.

My dad used to routinely pay for the car behind him at toll booths. Years ago, I once called everyone whose number I had–even those I hadn’t spoken to in years, and those I barely knew–just to share how they’ve influenced my life for the better.

I’m sorry to say that I’m not sure I would directly “pay forward” random acts of kindness, but I do know that it’s too easy to get wrapped up in our day-to-day lives, and when people do kind things, it reminds me of the difference that our brief interactions with others can make. It’s actually one of the things I used to love about working in retail–you get contact with people for just a few brief moments, answering their questions or checking them out, but no matter how bad their day has been, you can make those few moments for them enjoyable.

Reply to  Greenlight
12 years ago

Hey Greenlight… I do the same as your dad while traveling… then I superspeed so I don’t have an awkward moment where we see each other! lol

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