This article is inspired by a movie I saw a few years ago, 2016 or thereabouts. Directed by Mimi Leder, Pay It Forward is a Hollywood movie released in 2000. It is based on a novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde of the same name. I’ll do a summary with specific reference to parts in line with today’s post, just in case you haven’t seen it.
The movie explores the life of a twelve-year-old, Trevor McKinney and touched on themes such as love, kindness, generosity, and persistence. Trevor is given a class project by his social studies teacher to think of an idea to change the world and put it into action. He launches a goodwill movement called Pay It Forward. Instead of repaying a favor, he conjures the notion of “paying it forward” to three persons who in turn pay it forward to three more persons, continuing in a never-ending cycle.
Sadly, Trevor dies trying to save someone (spoiler alert I know, sorry). Trevor’s very tragic death illustrates that in the journey called life, we cannot live without some form of pain and sacrifice. His death did not stop the work he started; more lives were touched as a result of his acts of kindness which left his legacy burning bright.
I remember being amazed at how a singular act of love could affect so many lives. We can learn a lesson or two from Trevor’s project of networking good deeds. We can imbibe the selfless act of helping others without our end goal in mind. How many times have we genuinely helped people without expecting something that benefits us in return? If a community of like-minded people can have an understanding of the kindness cycle, it will go a long way in making the world a better place, one person at a time.
We should also encourage ourselves to pay forward every good done to us to three more persons. Doing this for every act of kindness received will result in a kindness domino effect, triggering chain reactions on a scale wider than we can imagine. Remember, it only takes a small act of kindness to make a giant impression in the hearts of others. It’s quite simple: for every favor you receive, do three more favors for others.
While the movie may only be a fictional narrative, I believe we can start a kindness cycle today. Reach out and touch a life through an act of love and ask the person to pay it forward to other people. And it doesn’t have to be a factor in your present financial situation. Love can be shown in so many ways – a compliment, a random text of appreciation, a word of encouragement, a word of prayer, a call, a gift – to make sure the other person leaves you happier than they were.
Maybe I am delusional to keep hoping it will happen one day or simply a dreamer stuck in la-la-land. However, I will continue to hold on to the hope of a better future. Perhaps that someone will read this post and start a kindness movement just like Trevor did; one which will reach through every corner of the world. And maybe, slowly but surely, the world will begin her healing.
P.S. To comment on this, kindly type “admin” as both username and password if a prompt requests for that. I would love to see your comments.
Love,
Diane.
