Pass it forward

Who said angels don’t live amongst us? There is a potential angel deep within each one of us. The recipe is quite simpls: Have some fun. Choose your attitude. Make someone’s day. Pass it forward.

It really is within your hands. Bring your angel within to live amongst us; and make the world a better place, one Random Act of Kindnesss at a time.

This year, I received a hamper from a friend as a Christmas present. I loved the gift, because I didn’t really need the food, and it gave me a wonderful opportunity to Pass it forward. These are some ideas of what you could do with it:

• Give it to the cleaners / security guards / waitresses of your workplace / favourite coffee shop
• Open it up and give every item as a small present to a stranger on the street. Make sure you add a Christmas card (and if you’re daring, a PIF card)
• Prove to yourself you can be kind to those you don’t like by giving it to an unlikeable colleague or acquaintance
• Walk a street in your town where homeless people often stroll or stay asking for charity; open the hamper, and start offering ‘one thing of your choice’ to every homeless person you come across
• Go to the local nursing home and leave as a surprise present to the resident who never gets visited by anyone
• Visit your church (or preferred charity) and offer it for a fund-raising raffle
• Give it to your Mum

“Have you noticed (…) when you’re walking down the street (…) people don’t smile any more. They have left the ability to smile!” Jack Lalanne

The quote above is from a great video (in Black & White!) from this amazing person called Jack Lalanne.  In that post of his TV Show, Jack argues that we need to forget about so many material things; go back to better eating and a more physical life, and your mind will worry less; your body will have less stress, and we will be hapier.

Why not follow his advice, and give your children the gift of a smile every day?

If you’re interested in his video, please see the Youtube video  below.

How did you feel while watching this video? Let’s have a look at the ‘Pay it forward’ trailer now:

If you try to compare the emotional impact that the first video had on you compared to the movie trailer, how was it? Did it create a more emotional response on you? A lesser one? Where they equally powerful?

I would appreciate if you let me know in the comments section; it will help decide on what kind of posts you like more and I should focus on the future.

Thanks

Buddha once said:

The thought manifests as the word;
The word manifests as the deed;
The deed develops into a habit;
And habit hardens into character;
So watch the thought and its’ ways with care,
and let it spring from love borne out of concern for all beings…
As the shadow follows the body,
as we think so we become.

You see, thoughts are quite powerful things. On that basis, I can argue you just received a gift – by inviting you to have a holiday season full of joy, I planted the seed for a little more happiness in your life over the coming month.

The question now is: what present are you giving your acquaintances for Christmas? How would you like to give them something that can transform their life? Something that won’t cost you a dime?

This is what you need to do:

1. Choose a good deed to carry out today. (If you want ideas, check the Links section or the Ideas page)
2. Write about it : Tell us what you did, when, and how it made someone’s day. Write this on both a piece of paper and on an email to our address (see top-right corner)
3. Download a copy of the ‘PIF CARD’, print it, and glue back and front together
4. Choose a unique PIF identification name for the deed that started it all (I am personally choosing two initials to show it originated in Australia, and then a sequential number – I am up to “AU-00100″)
5. Write the PIF-ID on the card.
6. Put the card and the description of the deed on an envelope.
7. Give the envelope as a gift, and encourage your acquaintance to ‘Pass it forward’

Remember those pesky chain letters of the ’80s that evolved into chain emails? You will be starting one of those, with a difference: Rather than wasting postage and paper, you will be encouraging others to make someone’s day. At least a few of those you touch with your kindness will follow your example.

And someone else will be very, very happy that you did it. They will be the happy recipients of a Random Act of Kindness.

Wishing you a very Joyous Holiday season, and a peaceful and fulfilling 2008.

Sometimes life deals you strange cards. Funny cards. Weird cards.

Yesterday, I was dealt a funny, weird, and strange card. I was searching on YouTube for videos to help raise the awareness of this movement, and came across a great video. It shows the concept of ‘Pass It Forward’ in a more physical sense. Have a look; it may make you smile.