“The point is not to pay back kindness but to pass it on”. (Julia Alvarez)
Being the holiday season, I’m reminded of a principle I saw in a movie many years ago, which was to “Pay It Forward”. It was about passing on any kindness and generosity received by someone to a completely different person. Unfortunately, what happens during this time of the year though is quite the opposite. Many end up choosing to buy something for another only because they know they’re going to be getting something back from them. I’ve found in life that’s generally not very fulfilling. Instead, I’ve discovered the best gifts I can offer are usually what I give to total strangers, versus back to those who just gave me something themselves. Often those paying it forward types of gifts are priceless to those who receive them and their effects go way beyond what I may ever see. So whether it’s buying a coffee or a meal, donating my time, giving a warm embrace, or even offering a heart-felt compliment to someone that didn’t just give me something prior, these are but a few of the many ways I’ve learned how to pay it forward in life. In doing so, my life has definitely become far more enriched than just giving something in return to each of those who also did something for me. And ultimately, it really does help to make my holiday season a lot brighter…
I pray I pass along and kindness and generosity that’s freely given to me this holiday season to others and that I remember to keep on paying it forward…
Peace, love, light, and joy,
Andrew Arthur Dawson
