Monday, October 13, 2008

Pay It Forward, With Random Acts of Kindness, Give Away.

About a week ago, I won a Pay It Forward Gift from Rachel @ Livin & Lovin. I won the cutest little wrist let ever. Upon winning the pay if forward giveaway you have to keep it going. I thought it was such a fun concept and it is totally something that I am in to...

I love totes. It may be the teacher in me, but for some reason.. I just love them. Don't get me wrong. I love a good purse and I buy them often.. but I also buy totes all the time.. I fell in love with this cute whimsical design... I love it so much but I want to pass it along to one of you.. There will also be a small prize inside.. I love a good giveaway, but I love a surprise as well..

Here are the rules. This is a Pay it forward give away. So before you enter to win please know that you in turn need to do something similar on your blog! To enter just leave a comment telling me a random act of kindness you plan to do today or this week. For another entry post about this pay it forward giveaway on your blog (just let me know if you do).. and for another entry... tell of a random act of kindness that someone has shown you. I will put all entries into a drawing and I will pick the winner randomly (thru a drawing) on Friday evening.

Listed below are some random acts of kindness.. Just to give you some ideas...

Good Luck! And spread a little love through Random Acts of kindness!

Write a note of appreciation to your mailman.
Compliment a stranger sincerely.
Write a thank you note to someone.
Look for something around you that can be fixed up, picked up, or attended ie, put shopping carts up, pick up some trash laying around, pick up something that has fallen over.
Send handmade cards or a letter to someone you care for.
Write a note to management or someone them self who has treated you nice while doing their job (waiter, clerk, sales person...etc).
When you go somewhere to get or do something, ask someone around you if you can pick up, drop off or do something for them while you do.
Cut coupons out and leave them at the grocer register for others.
Cut an article out of the newspaper that would interest a friend and mail it to them.
Leave have a nice day stickers at a front desk.
Put together a writing kit with stationery, envelopes and stamps, pen and give to hospital/nursing home.
Put a comment on some one's web page that you really like...... let them know you enjoy it.
Send a card to someone in the military overseas.
Start a conversation up with a co-worker that you don't know.
Leave something cheery or nice for all your co-workers (in spring bag of seeds, fun post its, fun office supplies).
Put change in a row of vending machines.
Visit a nursing home. Spend time visiting with someone who doesn't get visitors.
Put something you no longer need on Craig's list free spot for your area.
Leave a book you have already finished somewhere for someone else to read.
Drop off a toy or game at a hospital.
Drop off a toy or game at a homeless shelter.
At post office leave some extra stamps at the stamp machine.
Send a picture you have taken which includes a friend and send it to them with a note remembering when it was taken.
Buy a phone card and give to a homeless shelter for them to give to someone.
Open the phone book, pick a name, and send them something (movie tickets, thank you card, you are appreciated card, book, etc.) anonymously.
Take flowers to a hospital ward and give them to someone who hasn't had any visitors.
Take some cake, chocolates, flowers etc. to the neighbors, or a senior citizen nearby
Send someone a small gift anonymously.
Make a CD of your favorite songs and give to a friend
Donate one hour of your time if you offer a service for a living, or one product, or one seminar, or one class, or just one of whatever it is that you do as a gift to someone else.
Invite someone who is alone over for dinner.
Share a comic strip or something funny with someone else.
Leave a chocolate for a co-worker.
write a note, send a e-greeting "just to say hello" to someone who might need a pick me up.
Visit hospitals with smiles, treats and friendly conversation for patients.
Send a thank you to the employees at a hospital, or anywhere else that a cheerful thank might add a smile.
Write a thank-you note to a person from your past who has made a difference in your life.
Drop off a plant, flowers or apple pie at a public service organization or your neighbors house.
Send someone an animated greeting card on the Internet.
Write a note to the boss of someone who has helped you, praising the employee.
Drop off teddy bear to police department to give to traumatized children.
Drop a few coins in an area where children play, where they can easily find them.
Copy a favorite recipe and give it to someone.
Buy a copy of your favorite book and donate it to your local library or hospital.
Write letters of appreciation to groups who are helping the community, the environment, etc.
Send a card to a friend or relative you haven't seen for some time. Include a photo of yourself and/or your family.
Make a point of introducing yourself to someone you see all of the time but never say hello to.
Send an anonymous scratch card, lottery or theatre ticket to someone you know - or a gift voucher, a funny card, a chocolate bar, or whatever you feel they would enjoy
If you know someone who is having a hard time financially, pop a $5, $10 or $20 note in an envelope, disguise your writing or type the envelope, and post it to them.
Offer to baby sit
Donate clothes to goodwill
Put change in a charity change bottle
Bring cookies or some snack to work for office
Drop off cookies at a random establishment
Tape some change to a payphone with a card saying it is for whoever needs it
Write anonymous, loving post-its for strangers to find.

43 comments:

Mrs Anne said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mrs Anne said...

So, I didnt see this post when I posted my note...

LOVE your list... and LOVE the tote.

I'm ALL about sharing and passing on the greatness of the world!

:)

Anonymous said...

What a great list!
Last weekend I had the weirdest 'pay it forward' done to me. I have an office cleaning job and I throw all the 22 full bags of garbage out the back door to drag to the dumpster once I'm done cleaning. Well, I went out to drag them over and they were gone! Someone had already put them in the dumpster for me?! Sooooo weird! I was a bit confused at first! But then really happy!

PS-my mystery bday present is a yoga mat!

Lisa said...

Hey there! Have you heard about the Bill Gaither Give it Away tour? At the Gaither Homecoming concerts Bill Gaither will give random folks from the audience $200.00 and ask them to give it away...to pass it on to someone in need. It's a very humbling thing to do. A great feeling!
Love your blog, hope you have a great day!!

Faith said...

This list has me thinking...

I'm planning to give my accountability girls some personalized note cards that I picked up a while back, just to let them know I'm thinking about them and praying for them.

Love the tote!!

sassy stephanie said...

I love totes also! I constantly have books from the store, library. I use them to organize things in my car.

You are going to love this...teacher! We have open house this week (Thurs). I am bringing dinner to my daugthers' teachers so they have one less thing to worry about that night.

sassy stephanie said...

Something I rec'd: We moved in May, an hour and a half from my old neighborhood. Two months later, we find out that my husband has lymphoma. I checked the mail last week and got the sweetest card from everyone at my old gym. It was full of well wishes and prayers and gas money to help cover the expense of going back and forth with hubby to the cancer center. I cried like a baby.

Rebecca Jo said...

What a list - there are some FANTASTIC ideas!!! I am going to really look at the ideas, but I have already planned on sending some thank you notes to the kids in my youth group - just to thank them for attending & being encouraging as students. They LOVE to receive mail at that age - especially fun cards with stickers & goodies inside!!!

And I'm with you - I'm a tote girl - love them! That one is beautiful too!

Grand Pooba said...

What a fabulous idea! I would love to pass it on!

Today I am going to be giving a friend, who does not have a car, a ride around town to run her errands. It's the least I can do for the friendship she gives me!

Megan said...

Pay it forward is awesome! We went through our summer clothes this weekend to see which ones we were not going to wear any longer and did the same for our winter clothes..we have three big bags of clothes ready to drop off at the goodwill. (Which will probably happen sometime this week not necessarily today) I want to winnnn.

melissa ellen parker said...

I love the tote!

I love the idea of paying it forward. I try to do that as often as I can!

As you know, Dude and I recently bought a house. As I went through our stuff to move I took every thing we didn't use much of and all sorts of nice clothes that we just didn't use over to a clothing drop. It made me feel nice that things I really loved would be going to someone that could use them! I've had some amazing pay it forwards sent my way too. People are amazing.

You are amazing.

Mojito Maven said...

what a great list! i thought the Pay it Forward giveaway was such a great idea...i'm so glad to find it spreading like wildfire through blog land

Liz said...

I paid for someone else's lunch this past week.

Great idea!

~Liz
www.AGiveawayADay.blogspot.com
www.JustAnotherLiz.blogspot.com
www.LovingThisMomStuff.blogspot.com

Liz said...

Someone smiled at my crying daughter at the store and made her happy. :)

~Liz
www.AGiveawayADay.blogspot.com
www.JustAnotherLiz.blogspot.com
www.LovingThisMomStuff.blogspot.com

Whitney said...

LOVE the tote! Oh my word - adorable!!

Jen said...

My fiance's friend came over to help us tare up this really old floor the other night and helped us clean out some nasty stuff in the house and so I wanted him know I appericated all the hard work and help so I took my fiance and his friend out to a steak house and let them get whatever they wanted :)

and my aunt and uncle are buying me a stove since I don't have one that works :)

Rachel said...

Love it! I am glad you liked your wristlet too...it's perfect for a night out or dinner where you don't have to carry a big purse...or a tote :)

I'm going to send a e card to someone just because!

Grand Pooba said...

My Dad is so kind, he takes me to lunch every week, his treat!

Amy said...

Very cute idea! And you are such a sweetheart to so many.

God Bless,
Amy:)

Unknown said...

I love all of these ideas! What a cute tote!

Sweet Simplicity said...

This is a great giveaway idea--pay it forward. I am also obsessed with totes! I just can't help it! This one is so cute! I once had someone mow my lawn. I have no idea who did it, but I was extremely grateful!

Elaine at Matters of the Heart) said...

What a great idea. Love the tote but your list tops it all. So many wonderful ideas to give kindness.

I would really love to take dinner to McMama, but since I am too far away, I am going to watch my friends four kids so they can go see Fireproof. She wants to trade sitting, however, I am going to tell her that I just want to watch her kids, and we have a sitter already.

As far as a something done for me. I went to Starbucks once, when I got up to the window to pay, they said the car in front of me had paid for my order. The said the lady that paid told me to tell you have a nice day and pass it on. I have done it three times since..

Jamie @ Bungalow Bee said...

I don't know if doing a 'pay it forward' to your own spouse counts, but yesterday it was raining (in true Seattle fashion) and when I got home from work I dragged our garbage can in from the curb and then went back out and dragged the recycle bins into the garage too. When DH got home he was really happy :)

On Friday at the Pumpkin Patch a woman's unopened can of rootbeer fell off the back of her wagon so I picked it up and gave it back to her. Like anyone would do :)

I will do something random for someone today. :) Great post - love your list :)

And I really love that tote!

Anonymous said...

That is a nice post! :)

Jyl @ MommyGossip said...

Love the tote. Have you checked out Apricot a Lot. Sooooo cute. Custom totes. Very affordable. Go over to http://goodandcrazypeople.blogspot.com. Apricot a Lot is her store. You can link to it from there. Seriously... sooooooo cute!

Jennifer said...

I am planning to give a bunch of items (mainly clothes) to my church for their rummage sale coming up! Great give away and that's such a good idea to keep going! I love it!

Jennifer said...

I have received many blessings in my life, especially a few months ago when we (my family) was really struggling as I was getting ready for my college graduation! Our electricity was shut off because we didn't have the money for it at the time and it was extremely high and I didn't feel right trying to keep 4 children at a house with no electricity. An Aunt and Uncle of mine gave us the money for 2 nights stay at a local motel so I could at least enjoy my graduation day! It was a wonderful gift and I did enjoy my graduation!

Oh yea, I forgot to mention in the above post something else I've done: I invited my future sister in law over for dinner because her husband was in Iraq and she sat at home alone EVERY day and I knew she would enjoy the company! We had a great time!!

Honey Mommy said...

I called my sister just to tell her that I love her.

Thanks for the great list!

Anonymous said...

So ironic you are posting about this... while having dinner with my sister and mom the other night my sister informed me of an amazing act of kindness that had happened to her. You are not going to believe this! An older couple from her church that she barely knows gave her a check for 30,000 dollars!! Yeah 30,000!!!! They wanted to give money to a family in the church and were praying for God to tell them which family. God put my sister and her family on their hearts that morning and they wrote the check and casually gave it to them in a card! SERIOUSLY! And the weird thing is... they really needed it and had been praying about financial stuff... funny how God works huh?

Casey said...

FUN!

I'm sending a care package to my bf who just recently moved to AR.

spreading the love just as you have! :)

What's next said...

I've never done a giveaway but what a great reason to do one...
my random act of kindness is close to home today... my husbands been out of town on a very hard business trip, I've listened to how bad it has been on the phone everynight, he'll be home tonight so I made a favorite dinner. something I don't do often!

Tricia said...

Are you doing the "Ive Been Bo-o-ed" at your school? My class got their surprise hanging on our doorknob this AM. I passed a Booed bag on over to a 3rd grade class with 20 treats in it. Fun, Fun, fun

Heather Bug said...

Yep, my school in on hold right now. :( Lamar sold his office when I was in the middle of the first semester of my second year. We thought we would stay until I graduated but the dentist here in Little Rock had back problems and needed Lamar and the dentist who bought Lamar's practice wanted to practice on his own so we moved. I was sick over it but also a little relived. I loved grad school but was always super stressed with all the work. I still really want to finish, though. There's not an MFT school here in Little Rock. I don't think I remembered you went to UCA. Did you come to LR much? I just realized that I haven't read your post yet. :) I'll read it now! Hope you are fabulous!!!

Katie@ThisCrazyLife said...

So this morning before I rushed out the door I read your post but I didn't have time to comment. Then this afternoon while I was sitting in line @ McDonalds I noticed that the lady in the car behind me seemed to be having a bad day. She looked like she was digging for something in her car that she couldn't find. Then when the line moved and she didn't, the car behind her honked and when she finally moved she put her hand to her forehead and laid it on the steering wheel. I got to thinking about you post and so when I got to the first window and paid for my food I paid for her lunch too. It was only $4.80 but I hope it made her smile and I hope she had a better day because of it. It certainly made my day better. Sorry it took so many words to tell my story!

S Club Mama said...

this is awesome, Becky!
I posted about this on my contest corner sidebar.

"J" said...

I love the whole PAY IT FORWARD idea!!!! =)

Wow, what a L-O-N-G GREAT list of kind gestures!!!! =) Love it!!!!

This week I'm going to send a GET WELL card to Georgie's dad. I don't know him what-so-ever. You can see the comment I left here at this post: http://georgienba.blogspot.com/2008/10/tuesday-tidbits.html

It just touched me that her dad has cancer! My brother passed away of cancer! I just want to send her dad a little "PICK ME UP" well I guess you would call it a "PICK HIM UP"!!! she was so kind to send me his address!!!! =)

I will also send out Thank you cards today!!! =)
One to my brother for a tree he planted in our yard in the dark - he is just a NUT like that!! lol That was on this post: http://musingsfromleftfield.blogspot.com/2008/10/birthday-party-of-weekend.html

I will also send a thank you card to my mom for buying us a new hot water tank for our house!

I will send Shad's brother a thank you card for our grill, grill cover and 2 new ceiling fans WITH remote controls!!! =)

There are a few other thank you notes I need to send out! Our friends and family have really been great to us - helping us get into our first house!!!! =)

Sorry my comment is so long...I could have went on and on...lol

Fun giveaway!!!!

"J" said...

I blogged about your giveaway and I also posted about a random act of kindness!!! I don't know if you call it random?!?!? It was just my friends and family HELPING us get into our house?!?!

"J" said...

http://musingsfromleftfield.blogspot.com/2008/10/monday-night-dinner.html

Grand Pooba said...

I have to tell you about my dear sweet friend at work. Everyday she will bring me breakfast. Everyday. How wonderful is she? She's the best. Thanks!

Unknown said...

GREAT giveaway! this week we were able to reach out to a friend at church and provide a home for them to rent from us. it will be great!

Nicole said...

That is a long and great list.

My act of Kindness or just being nice will be taking pictures of a young mom with her babygirl on the next sunny day free of charge. Catching memories in photographs are priceless.

echoeve said...

I would love to enter this
thank you

act of kindness today.

I will be extra nice to my family, I will with out being told help with kitchen clean up at my mother in laws this evening.

Anonymous said...

What a great post! With all of the doom and gloom in the world it's nice to remember the ways we can make the world a better place. I thought I'd share a group that is looking to change the world with these random acts. To learn more about it visit www.thegiftrevolution.com.

Thanks again for the positive post and happy holidays!