Three Easy Ways To Pay It Forward

Paying it forwards is doing something good for someone else without expecting anything in return. It's always a great way to stay on the right side of karma. While this is a good idea every day, April 28th is International Pay It Forward Day.

Gratitude’s benefits are rarely discussed these days; indeed, in contemporary American society, we’ve come to overlook, dismiss, or even disparage the significance of gratitude.

We like to think that we are our own creators and that our lives are ours to do with as we please. We take things for granted. We assume that we are totally responsible for all the good that comes our way. After all, we have earned it. We deserve it. A scene from The Simpsons captures this mentality: When asked to say grace at the family dinner table, Bart Simpson offers the following words: “Dear God, we paid for all this stuff ourselves, so thanks for nothing.”

In one sense, of course, Bart is right. The Simpson family did earn their own money. But on another level, he is missing the bigger picture. The grateful person senses that much goodness happens independently of his actions or even in spite of himself. Gratitude implies humility—a recognition that we could not be who we are or where we are in life without the contributions of others.

How many family members, friends, strangers, and all those who have come before us have made our daily lives easier and our existence more free, with comfort and even possiblility?

Indeed, contemporary social science research reminds us that if we overlook gratitude, it will be at our own emotional and psychological peril. After years of ignoring gratitude—perhaps because it appears, on the surface, to be a very obvious emotion, lacking in interesting complications—researchers have found that gratitude contributes powerfully to human health, happiness, and social connection.

If you want to pay it forward, consider these ideas to make someone's day, and start a chain reaction of good vibrations.

Here are 3 easy ways to do so...

Help A New Parent

It’s no secret that new parents have a lot on their plates. They’re stressed, sleep deprived, and often don’t have time to themselves. If you know a new parent, a simple act of kindness can make their day.

Be A Mentor

If you’ve ever had someone take you under their wing and show you the ropes, then you know how powerful mentoring can be. If you’re looking for a way to pay it forward, consider giving your time, skills, and wisdom to someone else.

Tell Someone How Much You Appreciate Them

You might think that it’s a given that someone knows how great you think they are, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn't tell them anyway. Hearing that you are loved, or that you’ve done a great job on something always makes you feel, good right? Use Pay It Forward Day to pat someone else on the back.

While these are all some of the great ways to celebrate Pay It Forward Day, they’re also wonderful ways to live your life every day, because let’s face it - sometimes we need a reminder. To help you with that, our Enchanting Phoenix Stone Tasseled Scarf can do that by making sure that while you make a random act of kindness, your style isn’t compromised. It’s like hitting two birds in one stone: you passing along a good act and at the same time looking great while doing it!