A Pay it Forward Birthday
Please enjoy this blog by Jessica Cohen posted at the Pay it Forward Experience website last week. Don't have a birthday approaching? How about a Pay it Forward Thanksgiving, or Christmas or Hanukkah or Kwanza?
This past weekend I celebrated turning 40 this past weekend with family and friends, as well as by pledging this birthday to others. By taking Birthday Pledge through the Pay It Forward foundation, I vowed to donate one act of kindness for each year being celebrated.
Truth be told, I was having quite a bit of difficulty accepting this birthday. Forty just sounds… well, older. Donating this birthday as a way to celebrate the years made moving into a new age demographic a little easier pill to swallow.
Though 40 acts of kindness may sound like a lot for one day, it is absolutely doable. Over 40 suggestions are listed below, many of which were done last weekend. Sometimes we have the time or resources that go a long way, yet it is important to keep in mind that often a smile is enough to brighten someone elses day. Once you have taken the birthday pledge, here is how to donate your birthday by paying it forward:
Pay it Forward with Common Courtesy
Hold the door for someone.
Call your grandmother.
Say an extra thank you.
Give a compliment.
Let someone go in front of you in line.
Give someone a hug.
Treat a friend to a cup of coffee.
Wish someone a great day or a wonderful weekend.
Check on elderly neighbors.
Help someone with their cart at the supermarket.
Thank a police officer or firefighter.
Pay it Forward by Using your Time
Volunteer with an organization.
Pick up litter.
Send an email to someone to show your appreciation or thanks.
Donate a Facebook status.
Donate a tweet at: http://justcoz.org/.
Help serve food at a food pantry.
Connect two people in business.
Endorse a colleague on Linkedin.
Collect items for victims of hurricane Sandy.
Walk or run a 5k for charity.
Donate books to a local library.
Play games for change online at: http://gamesforchange.org/.
Donate toys to a local women’s shelter.
Donate magazines to a hospital.
Bake some cookies or pastries and take them to a local senior center or fire house.
Donate your next birthday at: http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays.
Pay it Forward with a Few Extra Bucks
Pay for the person behind you at the drive-thru.
Make a monetary charitable donation.
Adopt a military family through Coupons to Troops at: http://www.couponstotroops.com/sign-up-to-adopt-a-family/.
Pay off someone’s lay away.
Purchase non-perishables or household items for people in need.
Hand a stranger a $2 bill and tell them that you hope it will bring luck to them or their children.
When you shop, buy items that donate proceeds to charitable organizations.
Bring a tray of pastries to your child’s school for the teacher’s lounge.
Buy pet food or supplies and take it to an animal shelter.
Send a care package to a soldier.
Make a symbolic wildlife animal adoption at http://gifts.worldwildlife.org/gift-center/gifts/Species-Adoptions.aspx.
Take flowers to a cemetery.
Buy diapers or baby supplies for a women’s shelter.
Purchase an extra toy and donate it to for Toys for Tots.
Donate a tree to be planted in someone’s honor or memory at http://arborday.org.
So tell me, would you consider donating a birthday? In which ways would you pay it forward?
