Pay it Forward
Author: Laurie Linsley

Every one has heard of random acts of kindness, but not everyone has heard of the concept “Pay It Forward”. It came from author Catherine Ryan Hyde in her book “Pay It Forward” released in January 2000. Warner Brothers made it into a movie with the same title and this concept has become a real worldwide social movement.

The story is about an extraordinary 12 year old boy who is inspired by his social studies teacher from an extra credit assignment. The assignment was to think of an idea for world change and put it into action.

Trevor, the 12-year-old hero of story comes up with an idea for this assignment unlike any of his classmates. He calls it "pay it forward" and describes it to his mother and teacher this way: “You see, I do something real good for three people. Then when they ask how they can pay it back, I say don’t pay it back, pay it forward, to three more people each, so 9 people get helped. Then those people have to do the same, affecting 27.” He turned on the calculator, punched in a few numbers. “Then it sort of spreads out, you see. 81, then 243, then 729, then 2187. See how big it gets?”

Anyone can implement this concept in his or her life, at any time. It begins with doing a favor for another person, ideally 3 people -without any expectation of being paid back. Then those 3 people would do the same as you did. The unconditional favors can be large or small. As Trevor observes, it doesn't have to be a big thing. It can just seem that way, depending on whom you do it for.

The Pay It Forward Foundation has been developed to keep this concept going. What this foundation does is inspire youths of all ages in schools to use the Pay It Forward concept to make a difference in our world. It offers grants for supplies and materials needed for the projects that they come up with. All of these projects teach students valuable life skills that they may not learn normally, making our world a better place for everyone!

Some examples of the projects the students come up with are:
Local clean-up- keeping our environment clean and tidy
Community gardens- implementing organic gardening and teaching students how to be environmentally friendly
Secret Angels- random acts helping others such as opening a door, packing groceries, feeding an expired meter
Fund raising for good causes- such as Sept 11th
Free lunch box- collecting food for others less fortunate
Volunteer day- pairing up with local organizations or charities to help them achieve their goals

Did you know by using this concept we actually create positive energy and attract more of it into our lives? We also experience that great feeling you get inside from knowing you have made a difference in someone’s life. It is an indescribable feeling. This concept is truly a win/win for everyone! Can you even begin to imagine what our world could be like if we all applied the pay it forward concept? If we were willing to give unconditionally and trusting by letting it go forward without having to know what the results are and who would be on the receiving end next. Then maybe big changes can start with just one person, maybe you.

We would like to think of our web site as a form of pay it forward. Our intentions are to help people by educating and empowering them about health and their responsibility to themselves. We donate 10% of our earnings from our web site to sustainable, environmental and educational foundations/projects like The Pay It Forward Foundation.

So let’s not wait until Christmas time and other occasions like birthdays to give. We can implement this “Pay it Forward” concept at anytime and to anyone, and increase our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health at the same time.







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Laurie Linsley is an enthusiastic, compassionate individual who feels compelled to share her knowledge from her education and personal experiences with those who want to transform their lives in a positive way. As a certified dental assistant Laurie has been a dynamic part of the dental team for 7 years. Learning from her own health challenges and witnessing and helping those of others she discovered how vital the holistic approach to health really is. Having had so much relief and benefit in her own body from receiving “Rolfing” and “Rolfing Movement Integration”, she was so intrigued and curious about the process she decided to begin training to become a “Rolfer” in the year 2000. With a background in anatomy, biology, physiology, and communications Laurie successfully completed her certification in Rolfing and Rolfing Movement Integration in Brazil. Laurie is enjoying practicing yoga and creating a successful business in Canada, as a Certified Rolfer, a Natural Lifestyles Consultant and team member of www.bodywealth.net

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