My first experience with a pay-it-forward kind of moment was not long ago. In fact, it started a chain reaction. The first was when I was in the drive-up line at a local Starbucks. I was feeling impatient and wanting to hurry and get on with my day. When I got to the window to pay for my latte, I was told the lady in the car in front of me had paid for my drink. It was as if she knew I was grumpy and anxious. Her kindness immediately changed the trajectory of my entire day for the better, so I paid the barista for the order of the people in the car behind me. Only a few days later, my friend and I were having lunch at a bar and grill. When we asked for our check, our waitress said another party had paid our bill. We asked who, but she said they didn’t want to be identified. Less than a week later, another friend and I were having dinner at a nice steakhouse. Rather than bringing our check to us, our waiter came to tell us another party bought our dinner and had already left. This friend and I often have dinner out so now every couple of times, we get so much enjoyment from looking around and deciding whose dinner we want to anonymously buy--an elderly couple, a young couple dressed for prom night, someone in a military uniform. We have found it really is better to give than receive. There’s just a simple joy from giving freely with no expectations.
Shirley, I am glad you have found the joy in giving to others and helping to spread an epidemic of kindness. It really doesn't cost that much and the paybacks from paying forward are part of celebrating gratitude. Thank you for sharing this story. Gary
My first experience with a pay-it-forward kind of moment was not long ago. In fact, it started a chain reaction. The first was when I was in the drive-up line at a local Starbucks. I was feeling impatient and wanting to hurry and get on with my day. When I got to the window to pay for my latte, I was told the lady in the car in front of me had paid for my drink. It was as if she knew I was grumpy and anxious. Her kindness immediately changed the trajectory of my entire day for the better, so I paid the barista for the order of the people in the car behind me. Only a few days later, my friend and I were having lunch at a bar and grill. When we asked for our check, our waitress said another party had paid our bill. We asked who, but she said they didn’t want to be identified. Less than a week later, another friend and I were having dinner at a nice steakhouse. Rather than bringing our check to us, our waiter came to tell us another party bought our dinner and had already left. This friend and I often have dinner out so now every couple of times, we get so much enjoyment from looking around and deciding whose dinner we want to anonymously buy--an elderly couple, a young couple dressed for prom night, someone in a military uniform. We have found it really is better to give than receive. There’s just a simple joy from giving freely with no expectations.
Shirley, I am glad you have found the joy in giving to others and helping to spread an epidemic of kindness. It really doesn't cost that much and the paybacks from paying forward are part of celebrating gratitude. Thank you for sharing this story. Gary