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Pay It Forward

Giving Help for Free

By Michelle FrankPublished 5 years ago 4 min read
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Growing up mainly in Maine, I had the opportunity to see my fellow Maineiacs go out of their way to help those in need, whether it was someone broken down on the side of the road or a family in need after a house fire. I even heard about communities coming together for the raising of barns and houses. Because of these examples set by my elders, I grew up with a generous heart, wanting to help those in need.

This is not a story to get recognition for the help I have given—rather, it is a story about how generosity is lacking in today's world. My husband and I have gone out of our way throughout our 16 years of marriage, helping those in need. We stop to make sure commuters are alright if they are on the side of the road with their flashers on, even in this day of cell phones. If it is an easy fix, he will offer to help them. We have bought food for stranded travelers. We even bought travel tickets for veterans to help them get where they were going. These folks that we have helped over the years were desperate. They were unable to find help from any other source. We have been in that position ourselves. So, we help when we can.

Everyone that we have helped has said, "How can we ever repay you?" We simply say, "Pay it forward when you can." In this day and age, generosity has been put on the back burner. Selfishness is the name of the game in the society of today. Growing up I heard people say "it's a dog eat dog world" and I never understood that until now. It really has become a world where people are only out for themselves. And this makes me sad. Even here, in Maine, people have stopped helping others so willingly. I realize that the world has become a dark, ugly and dangerous place, but seriously, if we helped each other out a little more, maybe we could reverse how things have become. Maybe we could go back to a more peaceful way of living. This may be a pipe dream, but it really is my hope.

I am part of a group on Facebook that is paying it forward for kids. This group holds online auctions and all proceeds are donated to various schools to help pay off lunch debt and the rest gets used for supplies or other needs at that school for the kids. There should be more people doing this sort of thing. This group is run by a local small business owner. Could you imagine the good a company like Walmart could do? How many homeless people could be helped by Walmart, Target, Sears, Home Depot or any of those other big box businesses? Home Depot could host online auctions to raise money for lumber and other supplies to build small homes for the homeless. Walmart could do the same for supplies to furnish those homes. Same for Target and Sears to clothe the homeless. This would help get them off the streets, get them cleaned up. Then those companies could hire them, which not only would aid the homeless but would also aid the economy by putting more people to work, giving them the ability to help support the it.

Most people these days don't realize that one small action goes a long way! Some call it the butterfly effect. Some call it Karma. Some call it paying it forward. Whatever you call it, do something kind for someone. Give a smile, give a hug. Do you knit or crochet? Make hats and scarves to donate to the local schools (kids are ALWAYS losing their hats, scarves and mittens), to the homeless shelters, and to hospitals. See a child without winter gear, help the family out anonymously. Anonymity is the name of the game when helping families because most of them are proud. But don't do it because you are told to. Do it because it is the right thing to do. The honorable thing to do. And don't expect to get anything in return. Do it because it makes you feel good to help those in need. And if you give someone aid and they ask how they can repay you, tell them to simply pay it forward.

Some stranded motorists will offer to pay you for your assistance. It is not wrong to accept payment but for the help to be a true pay it forward event, payment should not be accepted. Helping others is a lost part of humanity and I think it is time we rediscover it. And don't just help family and friends. Help strangers. Don't be offended if they act scared. Remember, it is a scary world we live in now. Just reassure those you are trying to help that you are doing just that, trying to help.

Let's get this world back into the habit of kindness. Show the next generations what we were shown growing up, that kindness goes a long ways. That helping others for free is a good thing. That paying it forward can cause a ripple effect and really change the world!

humanity
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About the Creator

Michelle Frank

I'm a mom of 6, grandma to 2 and a wife of 16 yrs and counting. I have been to hell and back several times and have survived it each time thanks in large part to my husband. When I write, I do so from the heart and from personal experience.

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