15 Ways to Pay It Forward

Negativity is all around us.  On the news, in our social media feeds, and it can definitely pop up during our daily commutes.  It's easy to fall into a negative mindset, but it can be just as easy to make someone smile, lend a helping hand, or show some compassion. 

Paying it forward on a daily basis makes you feel good and can create a ripple effect, growing from one person to the next. Plus, doing good deeds for other is good for your health! It can reduce stress and help you feel happier and most positive overall. 

Read on for 15 simple ideas to get started.

1. Buy a co-worker or friend coffee or, even better, a stranger behind you in line.
2. Learn the names of your office security guard, maintenance staff, or other people you encounter on a day-to-day basis. Greet them by name and say hello. It’s an easy way to make someone feel noticed.
3. Take flowers to your local hospital and tell them to give them to a patient having a hard day.
4. Help a neighbor rake their leaves or cut their grass.
5. Compliment the next three people you see. It’s guaranteed to make them smile and you never know how much it could mean to them.
6. Do something unexpected for your spouse or child. Slip a funny note in their lunch or surprise them with their favorite meal.
7. Donate dog or cat food to a local animal shelter. It seems small, but it’s an amazing gift for shelters to receive.
8. Leave a note of encouragement in the pages of a library book for the next person to find.
9. Do you have a friend or family member who is a new parent? Bring them a meal, offer to walk their dog, or run an errand.
10. If you see a couple or group of friends trying to take a selfie, offer to take their photo.
11. Call a local school and pay for a child’s overdue lunch bill.
12. Leave a treat in your mailbox for your mail carrier.
13. Help someone reach something on the top shelf or carry their groceries to their car.
14. Get to know a new co-worker and invite them on a lunchtime walk.
15. Send a simple text or email telling someone you appreciate them.

An act of kindness, no matter how small, has the power to change your corner of the world.  Challenge yourself to pay it forward every day and it will be sure to leave you and everyone around you feeling better than ever.