Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Daily Blog: Pay it forward

Hello again,
Wheww it has been a busy couple of days. I have been teaching and working on the next newsletter.  Trying to take in everyone's feedback from the survey that we sent around.  Thank you sooo much for all of your responses.  

Todays theme, paying it forward.  

Benjamin Franklin, in a ltter to Bejamin Webb, dated April 22, 1784:
"I do not pretend to give such a sum; I only lend it to you.  When you (...) meet with another honest Man in similar Distress, you must pay me by lending this Sum to him; enjoining him to discharge the Debt by a like operation, when he shall be able, and shall meet with another opportunity.  I hope it may thus go thro' many hands, before it meets with a Knave that will stop its progress.  This is a trick of mine for doing a deal of good with a little money."

Others have spoken this same sentiment, movies have been made of the same title.  Give it a try and see how you feel.  Write your name on the inside cover of a good book, leave it on a restaurant table, ask others to write their name in the same book and pass it on when they are done reading.  I think that there is even a website for this fun activity.  

When someone asks to borrow something and you can afford the time, money or cup of sugar, ask them to pay it forward and impress upon them the importance of doing something nice for someone else.  Share what you can.  Give what you can.  Some how it does a heart and soul good to give, without a need for gratitude or recompense.  

Write to me and tell me about how someone has given you something special or unexpected.

Be well and happy,
Denise