| May 6 @ 10:25 PM |
Pay It Forward
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pamdemonium
Posts: 14,546
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How much do you put into life? How much do you try to make the world a better place? How? and Why? What's your contribution? Say it...Encourage others to do it.
In the community, I have tutored in the elementary schools. Have worked on building a playground. Have begun a local chapter of a not for profit painting group to encourage the love and learning of American folk art. And on the everydays...now and again will buy breakfast for a raggamuffin at Dunkin Donuts. Or an Rx for someone who is broke at the pharmacy and fishing for money.
Should we? Do you? Tell your story.
[Edited on 5/6/2008 10:38 PM]
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| May 7 @ 9:29 AM |
Pay It Forward |
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SaintBacon
Posts: 1,712
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Good thread Pam. Mostly I do the small things. Smiling at strangers, letting someone pull out from a side street when traffic is busy, offering to take someone else's shopping cart to the rack in the Wally World parking lot, that sort of thing. Surprising how the small gestures can make someone's day 
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| May 7 @ 10:41 AM |
Pay It Forward
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warrior674
Posts: 5,028
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I like to be nice and be respectful. I never make life miserable for any
other person. If everyone could do that then we would have absolutely
nothing to worry about.
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| May 7 @ 10:58 AM |
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beckyiv42000
Posts: 12,083
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Tutoring, coaching, mentoring, teaching, helping neighbors, specially the little old ladies round my neighborhood and teaching my kids to do the same.. to be polite and give up your seat to an elderly person or pregnant mom etc. I usually donate a buck coming outta the grocery store to the homeless shelter that has a person out there collecting and my kids have taken up the reins on that they dig in their pockets too when we get close to the collection place. .. and well like yesterday.. after waiting for a few years to finally have a yard sale .. I donated 35 large garbage bags of clothes and 61 pairs of shoes boxes of books and some furniture to the Salvation Army.. I chose them because I KNOW the one here in our area does AWESOME work helping the community and then I gave the tax receipt to my sis because she could use it more for deductions than I could ( and well she did buy a lot of those clothes haha she spoils my kids n me) and it helps her and since she helps me by renting me my house cheap it all evens out... it gets paid forward and around kinda like the neighbors we help them they help us ... its a good thing!! I was so proud of my son the other day .. the guy across the street was removing a tree stump from the front yard and my son asked if he could go help him.. I'm like yep you sure can.. the guy was stunned Tommy was over there helping him get the stump out and cut up for the greenwaste .. he has gone over and taken his tools I got him and worked on the kids bikes over there etc. he really just loves to tinker etc.. so he offers to help them .. and my Mina is always offering to help anyone do anything sweep weed clean ( except at home haha JK ) they both just love to help wow I must be in a chatty mood this morning i been writing novels all mornin haha 
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| May 7 @ 11:09 AM |
Pay It Forward
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Loreli
Posts: 20,319
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Yes, one of the simplest things we can do is smile at people.
Pick up something they dropped, hold a door, let someone with 4 items instead of 12 go ahead in express, Give someone the go-ahead to back out, rather than ramming them cuz you have right of way (too much road rage now days)
There are so many volunteer things I use to do...can't anymore=for now at least. 
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| May 7 @ 11:34 AM |
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Heaveninawildflower
Posts: 15,360
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I work with a couple of charities here - peddling popcorn, selling raffle tickets, painting shelters, helping with gardening and such. I have more money than time these days, so I help where I can there...once I retire it will be the other way around and I expect to spend more time volunteering. A lot of people helped me when things were tough so I see it as paying it back rather than paying it forward now...
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| May 7 @ 11:56 AM |
Pay It Forward
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kattsmeow
Posts: 21,280
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If I decided to volunteer my time, it would be with the elderly.
I have always tried to smile at people. To see what kind of reaction I get. 
Pay it forward seems to have been something I was trained to do.
Now, I need more coffee.. 
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| May 7 @ 12:09 PM |
Pay It Forward |
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1stsignofspring
Posts: 16,241
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I have always been involved with helping, or mentoring others in a tangible hands on kind of way....it's just something I do...part of me....so I won't post these things I've done in detail as it would bother me.....I don't believe I have bragging rights.....  Just thank God I have opportunities to give my time, talent, and money when it permits....
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| May 7 @ 12:11 PM |
Pay It Forward
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beckyiv42000
Posts: 12,083
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those two ladies up there ^^^ Heaven and Kitten and Habi all paid it forward to me and there are others on here .. I so wish I had the means to reciprocate but they all show such selflessness its amazing god I love these wonderful people on here 
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| May 7 @ 2:04 PM |
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kattsmeow
Posts: 21,280
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^^^ This woman did pay it forward by making the most amazing fudge and mexican food for at least 13 people!!!!! 
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| May 7 @ 2:12 PM |
Pay It Forward
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burnslikethesun
Posts: 9,609
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Pam wonderful Thread! 
The way I was brought up was give out and it will be returned. Somehow someway.
I got a pay back.
When I returned to get my hsed, i graduated and returned the service I received by teaching others to read. Theres Mr Thompson, 71 and mean as dirt. Man he was a prick. But he showed up every tues and thurs night for our one on one.
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| May 7 @ 2:53 PM |
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grumblebear
Posts: 10,494
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Pay it Forward, Random Acts of Kindness, Volunteering,
All are wonderful things to do, there is an incredible shortage of volunteers, Meals on Wheels is always looking for people to bring meals to retired folks in the community, they only ask for one or two days a month...
The Salvation Army is always looking for help, during the holidays they need bell ringer's, and Kettle counters. or donations of used household items, clothing etc...
The local VFW, and American Legions are always looking for help driving older or disadvantaged Vets to appointments at the VA hospital or clinics
Habitat for Humanity is always short of help, and locally here has actually worked with dating services to have singles mixers, while building homes for people...
Many opportunities to step out and meet folks in our communities...
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| May 7 @ 2:57 PM |
Pay It Forward
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pamdemonium
Posts: 14,546
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Habitat for Humanity is always short of help, and locally here has actually worked with dating services to have singles mixers, while building homes for people...
My children's confirmation classes required volunteering on Habitat Homes. Homes that were being refurbished for low income families. They came home very humbled. Realizing everyone doesn't have the privileges they do.
We're here to build each other up, not tear each other down.
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| May 7 @ 3:20 PM |
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kattsmeow
Posts: 21,280
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Grumble, thank you for the reminder. 
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| May 7 @ 3:27 PM |
Pay It Forward
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Tunes4u
Posts: 266
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About twice a year or so, some young kid will come in to my guitar shop and drool on the guitars. I will listen, watch and see what sort of life this kid is having. Sometimes I can tell right away that they have nothing. Or have had a tough begining.
I have given guitars away to some of these kids. You should see the look on their faces when I tell them it's free, and so is the amp, and strap, and tuner, and picks, and case......
I had one kid who emailed me afterwards, about 6 months later. he said he was in a band, Living his dream, and when they got famous, they were gonna come see me about ALL their equipment needs. lol
That was 8 years ago. I think it takes time to get famous.
But I do that about twice a year, if the right kid comes in. One time a young boy about 14 years old, and his grandfather came in. They looked at guitars for an hour. The boy was picking out his dream machine, and Grandpa was telling him they would have to save their money up, because he was on a fixed income.
They just had the right attitude....and yep...they walked out guitar and stuff in hand...with tears in the old man's eyes.
It's a blast...I love to do it when I can......and damn it feels good!
Love is a verb, and it is so easy to do.
"Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you - not because they are nice, but because you are."
~Author Unknown
Great thread!
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| May 7 @ 3:38 PM |
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SaintBacon
Posts: 1,712
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Tunes - YOU THA MAN!!!  What a generous thing to do! I have no doubt that you are making a big difference in those kid's lives. Kindness like that can change a person's whole outlook on life
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| May 7 @ 3:56 PM |
Pay It Forward
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beckyiv42000
Posts: 12,083
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Tunes you ROCK but ya knew that already huh??  I love to hear about people sharing their talents or good fortune with others
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| May 7 @ 4:21 PM |
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Bluebonnet72
Posts: 2,761
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Good thread Pam. Mostly I do the small things. Smiling at strangers, letting someone pull out from a side street when traffic is busy, offering to take someone else's shopping cart to the rack in the Wally World parking lot, that sort of thing. Surprising how the small gestures can make someone's day
I have to admit that I sometimes forget the others  ....especially when I'm busy, in a hurry or angry for something.
I should be more altruist ......and yes you are right the small gestures can make someone's day
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| May 7 @ 4:34 PM |
Pay It Forward
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warrior674
Posts: 5,028
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Maybe someday I'll work with kids with Autism and Asperger Syndrome. 
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| May 7 @ 10:49 PM |
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daisy315
Posts: 4,337
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I don't like to toot my own horn.. but I can say that this week when I went to the grocery store, all the things that were on sale as buy one get one free ( the stuff I needed), I passed the freebies on to a young single mom here in the complex that I knew was having a hard time right now.
I do my part to help where it is needed whenever I can. Sis and I always have.
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