Pay It Forward

[PhoenixRising]

Got a moment? See, I was at this store. The CD COLLECTOR.

There was this guy there. He saw my Chucks, and liked them. Then he noticed my Bob Dylan CD’s, and we started to talk about Bob Dylan, and how he became Born Again about twenty or so years ago.

Anyway, I said he should get the new Dylan, that it was one of the best albums of his career. The guy says that he would love to, but does not have the money to at this time. SO, I buy the CD and give it to him. He is blown away. I don’t know this guy, really, so he is just amazed.

The mystery dude starts to tell me he doesn’t know how he will repay me; I just tell him to pay it forward. He asks me my name, and I tell him, ‘Rev. TJ’. He then stops, and says, ‘Wait. You are a preacher, wearing those sneakers, and you like Bob Dylan? Where do you preach at?’ And I tell him, ‘Right here. Everywhere, I guess. I preach at the Church With No Walls.’

His wife, is just smiling. And she is crying a bit. And he seems moved. He tells me, ‘Ain’t no one that ever pretends to be a Christian ever did anything like that for me. You is something.’

I am? I am just a guy. I just feel like, you know, it’s cool to be nice. I am not saying this to brag; I’m just reporting this here, because, man. What if we all just paid it forward, just once? What if we all just bought something for someone, or whatever, just once? Would the world change for the better?

I think so. But what do I know.

I guess what I would ask, if maybe today, maybe, you might pay it forward. See what happens. Tell others.

Change the world.

[angelworks]

I pay it forward every chance I get. And it comes back to me every time.

I just saw a commercial -- for what I can't remember -- that illustrated the circle of paying it forward.

It starts out with a guy picking up a toy from the street and handing it back to a toddler in a stroller.

I up TJ's suggestion to the challenge of trying to pay it forward once a day!

[mrbeetlebrain]

Nice concept and one that I practise, I didn't realise it had a snappy name - that's so American

[angelworks]

There was a movie about this--- Haley Joel Osmet and Helen Hunt--- that popularized the name.

I watched it on a flight from the UK to the US back in 2001 I believe.

[mrbeetlebrain]

Even more American to make a movie about it!!!!

[angelworks]

Originally Posted by mrbeetlebrain

Even more American to make a movie about it!!!!

Too true my friend!

[mrbeetlebrain]

[Moviequill]

Originally Posted by angelworks

There was a movie about this--- Haley Joel Osmet and Helen Hunt--- that popularized the name.

I watched it on a flight from the UK to the US back in 2001 I believe.

but it had the worst ending ever.. the kid didn't have to die... I was so mad... love this concept though. I get just as thrilled giving it as watching their reactions receiving it

[angelworks]

Originally Posted by Moviequill

but it had the worst ending ever.. the kid didn't have to die... I was so mad... love this concept though. I get just as thrilled giving it as watching their reactions receiving it

I thought it was just me on the ending bit.

I agree with watching the reactions as well--especially when I pay it forward to older men.

[PhoenixRising]

I bet.

Funny, though. I would have thought that more folks with VW's would respond to this thread.

So a bump for more to see it.

[ursabug]

I, too, believe in paying it forward. The movie was about paying forward with something that was difficult to do. I like this idea, but sometimes the little things make a big difference, too - like leaving a little change in the vending machine, or making a cash donation but refusing to take the "free {whatever}" they're offering.

I'm a long-time blood donor. I know that not everyone can, but I'm pretty healthy with it, so I give every eight weeks. I'm up to 56 pints now. The other thing is that I decided to give to Locks Of Love. It's been two years in October, and I think I'll be able to donate at least 12" of hair by early next year. It's been odd going from really short hair to really long hair, but I think it's worth it.

I like the new Dylan, too, BTW.

[CaptainXeroid]

Originally Posted by PhoenixRising

...Funny, though. I would have thought that more folks with VW's would respond to this thread...

Sorry...I'm just not on the .org as much so I missed it.

I make an effort to pay it forward everyday when I drive. I actually stop at four way stops and let someone else go. I don't block driveways and make a special effort to let other drivers in the line of traffic.

Anyway, if we all do what we can, it makes the world a better place.

[PhoenixRising]

Originally Posted by CaptainXeroid

I make an effort to pay it forward everyday when I drive. I actually stop at four way stops and let someone else go. I don't block driveways and make a special effort to let other drivers in the line of traffic.

Anyway, if we all do what we can, it makes the world a better place.

Making the world a better place is a nice goal.

[mgwerks]

This is a great topic, TJ, thanks for starting it. I remember way back in high school, when we'd get bored on the weekend, we'd spend the day driving around and just giving rides to hitchhikers. Lived in the Phoenix valley at the time, and some of those rides were like an hour! Hey, it was the early 70's, hitchers were safe, gas was cheap, and we met lots of cool people...

[73standard]

Well I haven't run anyone over... yet.

[deeceedub]

Great post, TJ.

[weldtech]

Good stuff. Truth is, I am always working on trying to be a nicer person. But remember that everyone can't afford to buy something for someone. I'm not saying I can't, I'm just saying that everyone can't, and simply doing something nice for someone as simple as holding a door open for them, etc., may have a major impact on their day. I remember about two years ago I was pretty active on a golf forum. I was in a long distance relationship with this girl who basically cost me a lot of money. I even bought round trip plane tickets for me to go where she was and her to fly back here with me and she canceled at the last second. Anyway, this guy on there asked me if I wanted to buy any of his golf books he was selling, and I told him I wanted them, but I didn't have the money and the reason why. He told me he would hold them for me, and for me to give him my address. He then sent me ALL of the books I wanted in the mail for free. Somehow, I lost touch with him, but I will never forget his simple act of kindness. In a world where violence seems to be the hip solution for everything some things should never go out of style, and being kind to others is one of them.

Sorry for ranting...

[PhoenixRising]

Whatever makes the world a better place, that is what should be the goal.

[weldtech]

Definatly. Just last week a guy pulled into the factory where I work as an electrician in a semi truck. He has a load of pipes which has shifted and was about ready to make his truck jack-knife. He told me he would pay me, and I told him that it was against company policy for me to get a forklift and help him, but I'd do it anyway. So, after trying 3 different fork lifts I got his load straighted out. I couldn't believe he offered me $200.00 in cash! However, I told him to keep the money because if I were in trouble I'd want someone to help me out. Not only did I feel good about helping him out, I felt it was just the right thing to do even if I did break some rules.

[veedub00]

If anybody would like to buy me a Ferrari F40 I would surely appreciate it.