This seems to be the expression that is currently in use to describe when people do things for others.
Remember when I didn't have my purse at Whole Foods and a woman paid for my $16 in groceries? Same concept.
I'm presently trying to be more mindful of how good it feels to do for others. I've recently tried to do that.
I'm curious to hear your stories of the kinds of things you're doing or have done for others. Do you pay it forward??
I'm also trying to de-stash and reduce some of the excess I have so I will draw a winner by Wednesday! Please include your email address.
We are taking Emma and Ryan up to Sunriver for the week so there will be no sewing for me... kiddie time instead.
What's bad about that??? ;-))
I try to do it. Will be in touch. : )
ReplyDeleteNothing bad about that I try to be involved in charity quilt projects. Hospice, NICU, Project Linus. I try to share fabric, tools, whatever I ca.n.
ReplyDeleteNothing wrong with kiddo time at all.
I just try to do nice things for other people. I have never thought that I was 'paying it forward.' Thanks for the chance to help you destash.
ReplyDeleteYes I donate quilts and I love sending surprises in the mail to different people. I know how fun it is to be the recipient of them and it inspires me to do it more often. The other day we were at the ice cream store and there was a grandmother there telling the kids behind us in line they could only have a kiddie cone cause she didn't have the money to buy them anything else I bought her a gift card and my DD handed it to her as we walked out and said buy them whatever they want. the kids started jumping up and down…
ReplyDeleteit was so worth it...Kathie
I pay it forward with my patients at work. If I can make their hospitalization just a little brighter I will....sometimes a cup of coffee, a real coke (not hospital Shasta),or a newspaper can help their time go better. Those really special ones, especially my cancer patiEnts sometimes are surprised with a quilt! I never thought that this was a pay forward, but I love doing it!
ReplyDeleteYou know what I don't like about that expression: it implies that nothing is free anymore; that you can't do something just because you feel like it. When I was at home alone with the 3 babies and hubby took the car to work, my neighbor, three doors down, would drive up my place earlier in the morning, toss her car keys on my kitchen table, "in case something happens with the boys and you need wheels" she would say, and speed away in her carpooled ride to go to work in the city. Still today, that brings tears to my eyes. Needless to say,we are best buddies and when she goes away on vacation, we mow her lawn. But I don't want to think of it as it was pay forward. I want my boys to live in a world where people do good to each other such because that's the human race best quality. I like what Julie Q says just a little something can make the world of difference. I'm going back to work on Monday and I will bring them home baked muffin just because I've missed them. I am not expecting any of them to bring something when they go on vacation. It is just because ♥.
ReplyDeleteChantal ~ I agree with not liking the expression. I understand what they are trying to say but to me it almost feels/seems like you're keeping "track" of kind acts. I was raised that taking credit or telling someone about a kind act "negated" the act ... acts of kindness/charity are done anonymously and not talked about. I do things for people all the time but I never tell anyone the details or who I did them for ... I just don't feel the need to ... it's between me, myself and God ;-) Good topic, Randi! Enjoy those grandchildren ;-) Linda
DeleteI like doing nice things for people, randomly.
ReplyDeleteI was in the big chain store with a name like sheets and things. I had two coupons for 20 percent off one item. My items were like ten dollars total. There was a guy in line in front of me with a big box of pots and pans, a set of them. I saw that the box was marked near to $400. I gave him a coupon and he lit up like a Christmas tree! That was fun for me to do.
I can help with your destashing if my name is drawn!
I have stopped when going down the road and put cattle back that had escaped their pen, and have helped a lady who was changing her tire in a parking lot. I've also given many quilts for Quilts for Kids, women's shelters, etc, One of my favorite ways to help others is by donating blood. I have O- blood, so they are always happy to see me come.
ReplyDeleteI have always given to those in need. I've shared garden produce, bakery, and now quilting. I remember the kind things people did when I was caring for my husband that still bring tears. I recently sent 5 quits to Haiti via a mission team at our church. Pattern came from church mission web site.This summer I was the recipient of help with planting and mulching my garden, and in return the friend got fresh green beans, and summer squash. It's just a way of life for me,
ReplyDeleteI try to make at least one quilt a month for Project Linus or QOV. It doesn't always happen, but I try. Living in central Washington, not far from all the devastating, ongoing fires, it's great to see all the small communities coming together to help those in need. One local quilt shop had a drive to fill up their trailer with household goods, clothing and baked goods. It was then delivered to the town of Pateros. I've done a lot of baking the past few weeks. It's how I was brought up and it just feels good to help someone who needs the help.
ReplyDeleteI have been working on charity quilts. I get to practice my skills as I help others. I also help people out at work, even if it means I'll have to put in some extra time at the end of the day.
ReplyDeleteIt gives me great pleasure when traveling the turnpike in Kansas to pay for the car behind me. I love it when a couple of college kids pull up beside me and mouth thanks!!! Makes my day for sure!!!!
ReplyDeleteWe do too. From canned good drives to quilts for people in need, we try to help however we can. I've also given away coupons and enjoyed watching someone's face light up. :-) Have a happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteJust anytime I see anyone with a need that I can fill, I try to fill it. Sometimes it can be something as simple as telling someone they look nice.
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Well, the first 'real' time I did this, I paid for the lady behind me at the grocery line. She did not even realize this was happening till it was done, and it felt good.
ReplyDeleteI will give the kid at the gas station a $5 tip, just for being there doing his job, and laugh at his surprise!
But my favorite thing to do is give a person - anyone I choose - a gift card for our favorite coffee shop. Do I pay it forward? In my own way, I do. I like to surprise people - like the other day at a restaurant, I walked in and felt the woman who was sitting there gave me a very judgmental look. She looked grumpy so I taught her!! In secret, I paid her bill!! Teach her!! And she did not believe the waitress!! She actually called her a liar, then told her she (the waitress paid it!) and did not believe the waitress when she told her she hadn't.
Being kind is a nice thing to do, and when the above woman left the restaurant, she was smiling!!
And it is fun to just surprise people, spread the kindness and make someone smile!
I love the concept of sharing a stash. Every once in a while I will be gifted with someone elses scraps because they know that I will make good use of them. I am always happy to sort and reorganize this scrappy gift, pass on to others what now looks much more appealing because it is sorted and use what I can to make "care quilts" for our guild. These in turn go to anyone that needs them. I love this creative challenge. One persons excess can become another persons gift. Thanks for getting us thinking...Ursula
ReplyDeleteI donate quilts to charities, it feels good to use my stash for others. Thanks for the chance to share your stash!
ReplyDeleteA couple of years ago I donated 8 boxes of fabric and scraps to a local Prayers & Squares group. It became the beginning of a beautiful friendship! I even got to meet a woman (in a very similar circumstance when I lost my dear husband) who had received one of my Prayer Shawls at the hospital. That was a very big eye opening experience for me. Since Dennis died, my who life is involved in one charity or another. It is what I do to keep going, I expect nothing in return. By the way, the group has used every bit of the fabric I gave them. They have been very busy!
ReplyDeleteThe quilts and placemats I donate through our guild have been as satisfying for me as they hopefully are for the unknown recipients. Turning fabric (especially scraps) into usable things for strangers gives me the ole warm fuzzy.
ReplyDeleteDuring the two years before I retired, I gave away quilts to everyone else in our department at work. Our dept was going through a tough time, the future was uncertain, and feelings were low. I was fortunate, knowing that retirement was my future, and I didn't have worries the others did. So I gave away quilts to bolster feelings and as a quiet good-bye. In return, my request was that each co-worker "pay it forward" by doing something nice for someone else, a random act of kindness. I didn't expect a report--I just wanted each lady to feel good about herself by doing something kind for someone else. It works for me, and I did get some reports later about the fun and lighthearted feeling the RAK promoted.
Thanks for the giveaway, Randy, but please do NOT include me in the drawing. My stash overfloweth.
Randy, Sometimes the stash needs refreshing, sometimes others' stash looks great because our tastes change, etc, I would like a glimpse of your stash. Sorry, I already have my 35 year old Bernina 830 and still love it. Hope yours finds a good owner. Kathy
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My church quilt group donates lots of quilts to charities in our area and my stash has been raided many times for that purpose. Also once I gave a lady outside the drug store a couple of dollars because she didn't have money for a prescription she needed and she was very upset. My DH said she was probably scamming but I'd rather give some undeserving person a few dollars than pass her by and have it be true. It feels good to do things without expecting something in return. Generosity is its own reward!
ReplyDeleteI've paid it forward several times, it feels good to do good for others. My favorite was paying for the gas for a handicap van a war vet was driving. Gas prices had just shot up and I just felt the urge to do it. I'm sure my Dad was smiling down at me, I grew up with a flag on our front lawn. Of course there is paying for coffee for the person behind you in the drive thru... It makes me smile and being anonymous is the best. Thanks for the your post and chance to win some fabric.
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