| Paying it forward!!!!
Posted: 10/8/2005 6:45:40 AM | | I fired three ppl today, but I was kind enough to let them finish their shift before I told them the bad news. I really feel lousy. | |
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| Paying it forward!!!!
Posted: 10/8/2005 7:30:58 AM | ^^^Nobody likes being the hatchet man friend. Don't feel bad unless they didn't have it coming to them and there was a choice.
I dug 3 different car loads of tourists out on Togwotee Pass a few days ago when the pass got hit with almost 3 feet of snow. The last was a group of 40 something women that had to get to Denver to catch a flight, but that went by the wayside with the storm. They tried to give me a c-note. In tougher times I'd of taken it, but I just told them to tip heavily at the cafe in town for dinner. I went to that cafe after happy hour yesterday, and my meal had been paid for because the women told the waitress about the Ranch name on the side of the truck. I also got a call from one of the hotels telling me I had a free room anytime I wanted it.
I have been the beneficiary of quite a bit of help over the years, and I was raised to help out unconditionaly. The movie Pay It Forward was the closest I'd come to crying since Saving Private Ryan thinking about my Dad and Uncle who although gone many years now gave all but their lives as young men for all of us. | |
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| Paying it forward!!!!
Posted: 10/8/2005 5:21:18 PM | I have seen the movie about a dozzen times and I make it all the way to the candle vigill,...but then the rainstorm starts,....I remember hating my sister for telling me she thought I was just like the mom,...I was really angry at the teatre,...turns out she's right,...
so how come the nice ones are always hip deep in snow somewhere,....sheesh,..and BRRRRRRR!!!!,..... | |
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| Paying it forward!!!!
Posted: 10/8/2005 7:27:29 PM | After watching this movie ,"Pay it forward",which I've seen at least ten times or more, I always feel compeled to want to do something nice for somebody.It is in my good nature to do this anyways, but the movie kind ofmotivates me even that much more.
This is an excellent post,I hope a lot of people visit.
To all who posted,you haved touched my heart very deeply,and bless you all for your good nature.     | |
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BPMG
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Joined: 8/26/2005
Msg: 30 | |
| Paying it forward!!!!
Posted: 10/11/2005 3:09:29 PM | I always do little things for people and sometimes I am able to do some of the bigger things too. Without people helping each other in even the smallest of ways, it can be like an engine running low on oil. Society being the engine and the oil is the little or the big things we do for each other. One little thing can make a person's day. I do it out of the selfishness and out of the fact that there were people who did things for me.
Chuck
I wouldn't mind seeing that movie again. | |
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| Paying it forward!!!!
Posted: 10/11/2005 7:25:40 PM | I am not so sure that I know how to post with being new and all, but I loved this thread, and thought I would try to put in my two cents worth.
I work at an Elementary School, and my very first year teaching in my hometown, I had a very special little guy whom happens to be “challenged”…. and not so well off financially. His family is from Nigeria, so obviously he looks a little different than my other 2nd graders. Couple the fact that his skin is black as night, with not having the $150.00 runners, $100 sweatshirts and so on, this poor little guy really had a rough go. He was always clean, and so on, just not “cool”, somewhat worn clothing…and you could certainly tell that he came from a struggling family. Don’t get me wrong, great people, who were making due on to minimum wage jobs to let their children have a better life than what they did…. Mom walked him to the school every morning, and faithfully showed up, looking worn and weary after school to come and get him and always, always gave him a hug when she saw him…. LOL…. I have that vision in my head and it still makes me smile!
The first few days of class that year, I noticed that he would just wonder off by himself during lunch hour. (Kids can be very cruel at the best of times, and I think now, more than ever, that racism is taught…as in my 12 years of teaching, I have seen kids become more intolerant of others who are not mirror images of themselves). I sat day after day and watched him sitting alone, as he pulled out a ratty old yogurt cup and put it to his lips, in a drinking motion. That was all that he had…whatever it was that was in that cup. He was completely alone, in his own world, drinking from this cup while everyone was having his or her fun. It broke my heart to see that, when all of my other kids were playing and munching away on lunchables, fruit roll ups and all sorts of home made goodies that Mom made for them, to pack into their “new big boy/girl lunchbox”…trust me, at 6, that is a BIG Deal!
A few days later, the curiosity got the better of me, and as my kids were in the story time with a 7th grade mentor, I came back to my class to see what it was that he was drinking from that ratty cup. To my surprise, it was just plain old, warm chocolate milk. I was in awe – and complete shame at the same time. This poor little darling was getting though a day of school on chocolate milk!?!?! I cannot tell you how rotten I felt at that moment, so I got to thinking. How to help this family, this child, make it educational yet still be able to help this little guy. I told a co-worker what I had seen, and how I was feeling, and he was the BRILLIANT one who came up with the idea of arranging for the kids to see a real farm. LOL…
That day was a long process trying to organize, so we did it as a Pre Halloween pumpkin patch visit, with all the animals too boot! It was great fun, I roped my entire family to supervise...and all the kids got to see how corn, carrots, tatoes, etc were harvested and grown. They got to milk both cows and goats as well. The got to churn butter, and at the end of the day, they each got to take some home!
Old man Hagardt was this crusty old farmer, who had a real soft spot for kids. He was so great-had hot dogs, freshly pressed apple juice for the kids…complete with a hayride to the bus! He and his wife were so very patient, particularly for never having kids of there own, to allow 23 6/7 year olds onto the farm, to teach them about farming. Truly great people. Great big hearts.
I admit, Mr. Hagardt was told in advance of my little “friend”, and paid close attention to him..asking if he farmed at home, had to plow and so on. So, my little “friend” patiently explained that he had, and he knew just what to do! LOL That was all that it took, and soon enough my little friend was showing crusty old Mr. Hagardt how he plowed, toiled and so on. So it wasn’t long before Mr. Hagardt “dared” him to find as many perfect apples, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers and potatoes he could find…he would do the same and it would be a contest……my whole class cheered them on, as “poor” Mr. Hagardt got off to a “terrible” start….falling and not getting up for atleast 20 seconds…just enough time to allow my little buddy to gather enough to help feed himself and family for the night. It was great fun for the kids, and a great accomplishment for my little friend. He gained the respect of his classmates, earned a "reward" and was able to share with his family!
I am not sure that I paid anything forward, just kinda bridged a gap between the old and the young I suppose..and helped two people along the way realize their worth. My little friend taught Old man Hagardt a great deal, and “earned “ fresh fruits and veggies along the way. I still drive by Old man Hagardts’ farm when I go home to visit, and always stop, to see my “little” friend bailing hay in the summer, or bringing in the cows in the winter, with Old man Hagardt, who has to be atleast 80 now in tow. Does my heart good, to see my “little friend” at 17, still working for the man that allowed him to teach, and be taught. My "little" freind is graduating this year....and is planning on going to college too! | |
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| Paying it forward!!!!
Posted: 10/11/2005 8:01:56 PM | | Very sweet story. Makes the teaching position all that much more admirable. Thank you for that, and your dedication. | |
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| Paying it forward!!!!
Posted: 10/11/2005 8:34:49 PM | | Aw...not at all...I learned far more than what I taught....and that is the truth! | |
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| Paying it forward!!!!
Posted: 10/11/2005 8:36:33 PM | | OMG, I'm new here and this is the first thread I have read. So sweet. | |
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| Paying it forward!!!!
Posted: 10/11/2005 8:46:28 PM | loved your post 1,2,3...
Paying it forward is for some a learned thing....others just a way of life...imagine the possibilities if each person did it just once!!! Wow!!! 
Welcome lilmermaid! | |
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| Paying it forward!!!!
Posted: 10/11/2005 9:15:25 PM | I agree! And all of those years in University.....yeesh....all I needed to know came from a 6 year old...LOL.
The world is a harsh place, and there are lessons learned for sure....but I truly, truly think that you need to place yourself in anothers position, in order to learn and grow. But, that is just my 2 cents worth.....I am a lowly teacher... | |
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| Paying it forward!!!!
Posted: 10/11/2005 10:27:22 PM | | Lowly????? Hardly! Someone to be respected and admired | |
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| Paying it forward!!!!
Posted: 10/12/2005 1:35:55 AM | | This is a little one, but I help people on the transit system all the time. Whether they need directions or help with the ticket machines. It shocks me how many people won't give 45 seconds of their day to someone in need. | |
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| Paying it forward!!!!
Posted: 10/12/2005 3:10:47 AM | | I agree Annabelle123^^^^^About 45 seconds of the day..I see this in most people.Like 90%.People careless in general.Most people i have dealt with in my lifetime are for theirselves...If you see it other wise then that is your life experience.Or your opinion...AS far as peope on this thread that has learned from other people,Then good for you...If i was born on a deserted island i would know how to treat people.Which would be good......If people would have treated me half as good as i treated them,Then i would not know how to act...I have walked 5 extra miles for someone.But in my time of need they literly(sorry for spelling)do not know me...I am a loner and better off. | |
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| Paying it forward!!!!
Posted: 10/12/2005 7:57:07 AM | I understand what you are saying and even why,...I myself have found this to be the case from time to time,...I have even wanted not to be quite so considerate of others but then I realized I would be not only pepetuating what I don't like in others,....I would be untrue to my character and that isn't worth the payback so to speak,....
I also realized long ago that to do something for the recognition that action might produce is not being true to the act and yourself,....and in fact takes away from the gesture,...
when you do something because you see it needs to be done and have the ability, as well as the inclination,....then you won't need the recognition because you are only doing what is second nature to you,....and you are teaching all of those people around you by your example
And that is the ideal of paying it forward,.... | |
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| Paying it forward!!!!
Posted: 3/18/2007 8:57:01 AM | I know this is old but I did a thread search and found a few so I felt I would bring this back...I watched the movie last night and again this morning...have my kids watching it right now in hopes they will do the same...Pay it forward.
I try to do this everyday of my life...do something nice for a friend or stranger.
But the big ones were:
A stranger sat in my bar one day (with his last dollar bought one drink) and was heartbroken his lady was transfered to a different hospital in an other town. She was possibly losing her twin babies. I was lucky enough to have won 5000 dollars on Keno the week before so I handed him enough money to be by his lady's side...God paid that forward her little one's lived. They both wanted to pay me back...I told them it was a gift from a stranger to those little babies.
Now I am trying my best to pay it forward again...
http://forums.plentyoffish.com/6844153datingPostpage2.aspx
Have you ever...paid it forward or been helped? | |
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kk42
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Joined: 1/18/2006
Msg: 42 | |
| Paying it forward!!!!
Posted: 3/18/2007 9:23:23 AM | | That was an amazing story jacquio - I actually got chills reading it. What a wonderful gift of kindness you have given. I do try to do whatever I can for those in need. I am actually watching the movie "pay it forward" as I am typing this. It is the best feeling in the world to offer something to someone unconditionally. | |
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| Paying it forward!!!!
Posted: 3/18/2007 9:46:05 PM | | I try to give people the complients that usually go unsaid..... | |
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| Paying it forward!!!!
Posted: 8/17/2008 1:34:14 AM | Hahaha old topic but.
There's like a 'free taco campaign' going on on youtube. I was driving my drunk friends home tonight and we stopped by taco bell. I bought the food of the person behind me and it was awesome!
How tight would it be to pull up to pay for your '4th meal' and find out that someone paid for it for you?
I'm gonna try to do it every once in a while just 'cause it makes me feel good hehehe. | |
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| Paying it forward!!!!
Posted: 8/17/2008 5:43:33 AM | | always try to do the little things.....put a coin in the pool table today when i was leaving the pub so the 2 young fellas coming in got the 1st game on me....always pass on parking tickets with time still on them ...... after my dad died i took the biggest box of chocolates in for the staff of the icu , and they shared them with those patients who were able to have them.....they said they dont usually get pressies when a patient passes away....but they had looked after dad (and us) so well - i wanted them to know how much we all (including dad) thought of them.....i have a young friend who often just plonks himself down beside elderly people who look lonely and chats! they love it | |
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| Paying it forward!!!!
Posted: 8/17/2008 10:55:04 AM | I work in retail and most recently myself and co-workers are noticing how many customers we are helping to pay for their purchases. Soooo many come to the register without enough money to pay for what they got.
One brought her child and allowed him to open and drink from his soda before she realized that she didn't have enough money. I had to buy it for him.
This is a serious pattern emerging with the ecconomic issues today.
So, I help out those I can and always ask them to help out someone down the road. | |
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| Paying it forward!!!!
Posted: 8/18/2008 7:40:38 AM | | Nothing too special. Recently gave a motorcycle rider a ride to the nearest gas station after his reserve emptied a little too soon. Pulled some dudes out of a ditch when they were dumb enough to crash their car. Winter time, I'll spend a few minutes doing whatever I can when I see someone in vehicle trouble. There is ample opportunity every day to pay it forward. Everyone should try it once a week. | |
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| Paying it forward!!!!
Posted: 8/18/2008 9:23:23 AM | I had a life-changing event in my twenties when I developed testicle cancer. At a young age I found myself contemplating the meaning and potential brevity of life in ways few twenty-somethings experience. Since I caught it very early surgery completely eliminated the cancer despite it being the most aggressive of the nine variations, but I still found myself facing significant bills on a low income with no insurance.
My fellow raft guides organized a benefit on my behalf. They each worked one 'free' day - donating a day's pay to help pay my bills. The company owner matched the total contributions of the staff out of his own pocket. Half of my bills were covered, and over the next few years I paid off the rest.
Ever since then whenever I hear of a similar situation - someone facing unexpected medical bills with limited personal resources - I've organized or participated in similar efforts, and contributed at least a day's pay to the effort while sharing my experience with the recipient in hopes they too will 'pass it forward' once they're back on their feet.
My cancer turned out to be one of the most positive influences in my life, among other things establishing a strong faith in the essential goodness of my fellow human beings.
Dave | |
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