One day, late in
January, this post appeared in my Facebook news feed. It was a large block of
text and that caught my attention. I see dozens of news feed posts every day on
the FB feed, and this one stuck out from the others. It didn’t have any glitzy
photo or a cute puppy with big eyes. Here is the post from January 24, 2014:
To start this year
off in a loving way, I'm participating in this Pay-It-Forward initiative:- the
first 5 people who comment on this status with "I'm in" will receive
a surprise from me at some point in this calendar year - anything from a book,
a ticket, something home-grown or made, a postcard, absolutely any surprise!
There will be no warning and it will happen when the mood comes over me and I... find
something that I believe would suit you and make you happy. These 5 people must
make the same offer in their FB status. Copy this text on your profile (don't
share) so we can form a web of connection and kindness. Let's do more nice and
loving things for each other in 2014, without any reason other than to make
each other smile and to show that we think of each other. Here's to a more
enjoyable, more friendly and love-filled year xoxo
I cannot even
remember who initially posted it. It only took me a few moments to read the post and
decide to participate. I quickly imagined what kind of piece I would send to
the 5 people that decided to take this journey with me: a handmade Valentine! As soon as I re-posted
the Pay –It-Forward Initiative, I had my five fellow travelers. Upon commenting, “I’m in!”
these individuals also commit to carrying on the paying it forward movement by posting
the info on their own page and gathering their own peeps.
Just think
what a little thing like this could do for the world. Spreading a bit of cheer
and loving thought around the globe! I challenge you to consider taking a small
step in your own lives and beginning your own “Pay-It-Forward” project. I have
had a great time creating special artworks to send out to my participants.
