The movie 'Pay it Forward' made a very powerful statement. It's about a little boy (Haley Joel Osment) who comes up with the idea that when someone does something nice for you, you then do something really nice for someone else. When/if they say "thank you", reply "That's okay- pay it forward". Paying it forward isn't about easy things like using your manners, holding doors and smiling- those things are certainly important, but we're talking about stuff like paying to have someone's car fixed, covering a few dollars for someone who comes up short in the check-out line, or offering someone your umbrella on a rainy day- just because. I embrace this concept with all my heart. Try paying it forward sometime- it feels really good. Sometimes we all feel powerless in this world, this makes us angry & depressed. Often violence, addiction or illegal acts follow a feeling of desperation. Feel powerless? Think you don't matter?? Be pro-active about kindness it's very empowering!! (Just make sure to do these random acts of goodness with NO strings attached. If you don't get a "Thank you"- you can choose not to be offended. Maybe it's been so long or so rare a gift that some people have forgotten how to receive kindness graciously.)
Blessing people is about doing something nice, but allow them to keep their dignity. For example, when the YMCA bus used to come to the project to pick us up, they made us pay a dime to ride over to the 'Y' for supper and an evening of recreation. Some of us were so poor we literally "didn't have a dime". (pun intended) The old guy who drove the bus always wore a hip-pack. It had a bunch of dimes in it. When one of the kids had no dime, he would fish around in the hip-pack, "accidently" drop some dimes- which would roll down the steps and onto the pavement. He would ask the kid to pick them up for him. Then he would say, "All right, let's go!" The kid would say, "But I don't have a dime" to which he would reply, "You just handed me a whole bunch- now get in and have a seat". Such a simple thing to do, but it always made us smile and feel like we mattered. I don't remember what his name was, but this bus driver helped a lot of underpriviledged kids- including me- feel better about themselves. God bless him!!
The YMCA was my haven back then. This sporty little gal enjoyed playing b-ball and for a shorty-white girl, I was pretty good at it. I was a minority in "The Village" which was mostly home to Mexicans and African-Americans. I loved the mixed culture. Had a lot of great times on the court in the middle of the project. The guys were friendly and called me 'Sparks'. Then I don't know exactly what happened, but a bet was placed as to who would "bang the redhead" first. From that time on, I endured harrassment- eventually it wasn't safe for me to play the court anymore. After school, I walked home with my tough-as-nails friend/bodyguard Jennifer 'The Wolf' Fidelli. She was several grades ahead of me, but switched buses in order to watch out for me. Even the guys were scared to death of her! She was Italian and could definitely hold her own in a fight. 'Wolf' had a heart and underneath the tough act, she was really a sweet person who was searching for significance, just like me. We'd sit on the corner for a smoke, then she walked me home and I'd stay locked up in the apartment all evening. Hated it! Tuesday nights were a highlight for me, because I was SAFE at the 'Y'. I could get out on the court and have a great time. Guess I work at the YMCA in part, because I'm grateful and I WANT to pay it forward...
Most establishments cater to those with money. That's great and all, but the rich have plenty to feel good about, why not cater to the poor, treat them as if they were rich & influential and balance things out a little?? I feel this is what the 'Y' does through their scholarship & after school programs. I'm so glad to be a part of it!! Anyone is welcome at the 'YMCA'. Hey, that's my kind of place!!
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10 comments:
Time!
Time is the most valuable thing we can give -
Somuch is about money for medicine or medical aid, money for disaster relief, money for charity ...
those who have give much ... but its the two pennies from the old lady who gave all she had counts most
But most ofall we can do good with our time, our smiles, our good deeds, and goodness ripples ...
even when it may not be most obvious with contradictions staring us in our face everyday.
Have a lovely evening!
PS - Still no joy uploading pics to blogger, or you not bothered really
Quasar, YES! Giving our time is definitely a great way to "Pay it forward". :o)
Still no luck with the pictures, but I am going to try and get 'Firefox' downloaded and see if that helps any.
Thanks, hope you have a great weekend!! I'll be performing this weekend with 'Message of Mercy' down in Georgia & Alabama.
Hi Trailady
It's Saturday,
so here's a gift for you
a little piece of Peace
jam movie
Enjoy!
And oh! have a great time performing Message of Mercy in Georgia & Alabama
Paying it forward is a neat concept. I still remember the time I gave two young kids that I didn't know a dollar so they would have enough money to buy some donuts at the grocery store. Their smile and heartfelt thanks was more than enough a reward.
too often people in america take for granted that everyone has a dime. at least a dime- come on. i think that poverty and desperation are things to be swept under the rug. places like the y and people like your bus driver are not 'a dime a dozen' and it is for people and places like those that i am grateful. thanks for sharing and trying to give back.
just do let me know if i can downlo0ad that movie through wire for free.
Quasar9, Thanks for the link, I enjoyed the little movie. Yes, it is all to easy to lose ourselves and our spiritual connection in the fast paced world we live in.
Tim, Isn't it great when you pay it forward! For a few moments, you feel very powerful in the life of another.
Betmo, Yes, we are a wealthy country, but understand that even in America, there are poor children whose parents don't care enough about them to make sure they have a dime for the bus. It wasn't as much about poverty as it was about a lack of caring. The parent population in "The Village" were largely, depressed, downcast people. Most really didn't care whether their kids got to go have a fun night.
Known Stranger, The movies I mentioned can all be found on iTunes. Don't know of any free movie downloading sites. If anyone does, please enlighten us.
I had a nice weekend, though VERY exhausting! :o)
The phrase that I hear a lot is "don't rob me of my blessing." It is a blessing to do something nice for others, really nice, like you said. It's a true blessing, and when others won't allow you to do something for them, well, it's like robbing a blessing.
I've been on both ends, and yes it is hard to receive sometimes, because you are always feeling like a charity case, but then you realize that people are getting a blessing (and maybe just maybe repaying something that had been done for them years before).
I love the whole pay it forward concept too. I think about things all the time but I need to get out there and do nice things for other people. Random acts of kindness. Not enough of that nowadays
Rose, True and I think sometimes people rob others of a blessing, denying the gift because the kind of giving with no strings attached is so rare. (People usually give because they expect a certain reaction or pay-back.)
Kristin, I totally agree! Don't feel too bad, it's very hard for a young mother to get out and do much- right now your random acts of kindness are often kissing boo-boos and putting diaper rash cream on baby bottoms. Don't worry, I believe you have a good heart.
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