Pay It Forward

Copyright 2012: singeronthesand

Make every effort to add to your faith goodness;

and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge self-control;

and to self control, perseverance; and to perseverance,

godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness...

2 Peter 1:5-7a

Crystal Ray describes herself as a "...naturally kind and compassionate" individual, and is a firm believer in doing good deeds - paying it forward.  She believes that those who are generous and do good deeds are rewarded in many, many ways.  Several years ago, she contributed to Yahoo News a list of 15 good deeds that can be done today to help those in our community and our world.  They bear repeating:

1. Do you have books you no longer read?  Keep them out of the landfill by donating them to a school, your local library, or an elderly care facility.
2. Elderly people who live alone are often lonely.  Take a few moments today and call an elderly friend or loved one.  Let them know you are thinking of them.
3. Leave your extra pennies in the penny container at the local gas station.
4. If you read an online article that makes a difference in your life, leave a positive comment.
5. Donate a bag of dog or cat food to your local animal shelter AND a bag of human food to a food pantry.
6. Let someone go ahead of you in line at the store.
7. Donate your change to a worthy charity at a local retail business.  Pennies and nickles add up faster than you think!
8. Hold the door for someone else and let them go ahead.  Just because other people aren't polite doesn't mean you shouldn't be.
9. Wild birds provide beautiful songs and visual pleasure that add to the splendor of our world.  Make a place to provide water and birdseed, especially during the winter months.
10. Our throwaway society is being overrun with trash.  Recycle, Recycle, Recycle.  Never tell yourself that you don't have time to bother. Good deeds that help future generations are some of the most important ones of all.
11.  Donate gently-used clothing and other household items to the Salvation Army, Goodwill, or another local charity.  Then become a thrift store shopper.  You will be amazed at what you can purchase there.
12. Tell the attendant at the toll booth Thank You and Have a nice day!
13. Ask your child's teacher a)what items they need in the classroom, and b)how you can help.
14. The next time you see a teenager, smile and say Hi!  They may appear to look straight through you, but their brain will have processed the kind gesture.
15. Smile (instead of glaring) at the young mother in the grocery store whose child is throwing a tantrum.  She needs all the encouragement she can get!