A chance encounter with a co-worker many years ago sparked a crazy idea that has grown into one of my favorite traditions. It began like this...I asked her what she was doing for the Holidays and she said, "My family has decided we have enough stuff. We're very fortunate so we're going to hand out twenty dollar bills on Christmas Eve."
This is how it all started.
βIβve learned that you shouldnβt go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.β β Maya Angelou
The news this year, more than any other year I can remember, is full of darkness and negativity. It seems our world is going haywire. This really got my brain going about how we could start a wave of love and positivity. Through my social media pages I'm fortunate enough to have a global audience of amazing people. I'm a firm believer that there is still more good than bad in the world and I'd like to prove it.
Our society has turned this Holiday season into a frenzy of consumerism that brings with it a whole host of negative emotions for a lot of people. More than any other time of the year, the Holidays make people long for loved ones who are no longer here, brings back feelings of regret, it can make people feel like they don't have enough money or things, and like they don't measure up in general.
Your Participation Is Requested.
What I propose, if you can spare it, is to invest however much you can afford ($1, $5, $20) in the goodness of humanity. You can use this to help someone you know or a stranger you cross paths with. Pay someone's bill in a restaurant, buy a homeless person a hot meal, or simply hand someone a twenty dollar bill and say Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays or whichever Holiday Greeting you prefer. It's easy to forget that each of us are fighting a battle every day and, despite appearances, we have no idea what kind of struggles others are going through.
βWe make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.β β Winston Curchill
This idea is very simple. It serves a twofold purpose. It may just help renew someone else's faith in the goodness of humanity and, I promise, it will make you feel INCREDIBLE! This simple act will bring you much more joy than anything else money could purchase. In fact, it might be the best gift you get this year.
Spread the word by SHAREing this post. Let's start a wave of light to drown out the darkness of this world...or maybe just forget about it for a little while.
Thank you for your interest in my work this year. May your Holidays be rich with all the things that truly matter.
With Gratitude,
Thanks for reading! All for now. Trust your instincts, invest in you, live boldly, and take chances.
Letβs Keep In Touch
A fine thing, I will do this along with the meal we each but the homeless on Christmas Day. Tis better to give!
Wonderful! Thanks for your generosity my friend! Merry Christmas.
And a very merry Christmas to you too when it comes!
Thank you!
Gift of giving is totally rewarding, your flame will light the fire for those who are forgotten.
Your idea is great, my friend! I wish many people can follow this example. As for me, I always give small gifts on December 24 to children in my neighborhood who are poor (toys and candy). But now that I read you, I think I can help more people. I agree 100% that whatever we give, is multiplied a hundredfold. Can you imagine the energy of gratitude that we awaken in the world if we give, if we offer, if we share. I was reading these days: It is not what people wish for us, it is how many times they have wished for us. God bless you, my friends. Have a nice day. Hugs.
Thank you! What a wonderful thing you're doing. What, I think, is most valuable about this Pay It Forward concept is it might prevent others from giving up hope and/or on the kindness of humanity. There are so many outside forces at play these days to turn peoples' hearts dark. Things like this can be the antidote. God bless you and your family and I wish you a wonderful Christmas.
Likewise, my friend. I hope the light of these days will make your life and your home clearer and that it will serve to create rainbows if there are storms. Receive a big hug from Venezuela
I just love this annual pay-it-forward of yours Eric, it only takes a little flame to start a fire, and if each one of us could only do something/anything big or small, we could turn the world into a much happier place!
I'm so glad, Lizelle! It's been an especially hard year but doing this makes me feel so much better. I wish you a wonderful Christmas. Take care, my friend!
While i am also struggling but there are more needy people out there who have no roof and meal to eat. I do help others often whenever it is possible for me. Thats best thing.
Thanks for encouraging.
It's been an especially difficult year, I think. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Sounds like a great way to give back. It's definitely a time of year where we need all the hope and cheer we can get!
Thanks! I've done this every year for the last seven years. It's become my favorite tradition.
I haven't been here for a while. Today, my heart rejoiced to read this publication full of kindness and love. It is true, each one of us fights our own battles and there we go, doing the best we can every day, but we don't stop to think about the battles that others fight because we think that ours are bigger. If only we were a little more empathetic, we would realize that maybe with a smile, a pat on the back, a sincere hug or a little message, we would ease someone else's burdens.
Sharing is always a joy to the heart. I will keep this invitation in mind and remember you, when I do.
Today I share this publication and hope that the seed of generosity and solidarity will spread throughout the world.
Peace and well being, my friend. A hug.
I haven't heard from you in a while, I hope you've been well! Thank you @aurodivys. Peace to you my friend!
Indeed, this year has been one of the worst years in my life. Hope 2024 will be much better.
Happy new year in advance mate!
I'm so sorry to hear that. I wish you a peaceful, prosperous, and happy 2024! Thanks and Happy New Year.
This is beyond beautiful, Eric. As we're all beginning the festivities, it's a point to note that greater joy would accrue to you, if you put a smile on someone's face. You're right. It's usually an exhilarating feeling. Sharing this to spread this amazing joy to others. Let's have a Giving-Filled Christmas.π€
Thank you! Giving is the greatest joy that can be had on Earth. Merry Christmas!
I'm in! I think it is a fantastic way to exhibit good will. So many are in need that opportunities to help will present themselves repeatedly.
Thanks for joining in Tamara! I appreciate it.
You are right, the world needs more love and hope than ever.
Your idea of paying it forward is simple yet great, I will try and participate at my end.
Merry Christmas π in advance to you and your loved ones.
!LUV
@funshee sent you LUV π (4/4)
Made with LUV by crrdlx
Thanks so much. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Hello dear friend @ericvancewalton good afternoon
Excellent message. How great that despite the passing of the years, and even now that everything has gotten worse in the world, they say doing this is so kind.
It is true that we are all fighting given that in much of the world the economy is bad, but there will always be a person who is in worse conditions than us and we can always help.
Without a doubt, this type of actions brings more happiness than money itself.
I appreciate that you continue to carry forward this message of love and solidarity.
Have a beautiful night
Thank you @jlufer! I think part of what makes this Pay It Forward movement work is it forces us to open our hearts and then also experience the joy there is in that. Times are, indeed, tough. Even things like helping an elderly or handicapped person with chores would qualify. There are endless ways to Pay It Forward beyond giving money. Giving our time is even better, I think. I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas my friend. Thanks for all of your support this year.
I absolutely do everything I can to help the amazing people around me in my life. A lot of times it's only brought me grief however there has been times where I've gotten to be able to help somebody that appreciated it.
Excellent post!
And because you have such an amazing heart I'd love to invite you to the free compliments community! We currently have a mental health ambassador program that is directly impacting people here on the blockchain!
#freecompliments
Thank you, that's wonderful!
I couldn't agree more. This is the season of love and giving and no matter how small we have, we should try to give to those who doesn't have.
I will try my best to live according to this
People don't even have to give their money, sometimes the best opportunities are to share our time. Like visiting with someone who is lonely, doing odd jobs/chores for the elderly or sick, or things like that. Thank you, Iska!
Hello, @ericvanwalton
There is an adage that says: it is better to give than to receive. Usually, during the holiday season, some generous people give to strangers who feel they need some money to alleviate their sorrows.
Many agree that in order to give you must first have. And that is true, not only materially. Surely, the most important thing is to have love in your heart, and that you can radiate it in your environment.
This year has not been so abundant in terms of money, on the contrary, perhaps it has been the most demanding, but I have never lacked God, who through others and fortune has always helped me. Likewise, regardless of the belief that people profess, I recommend that they be grateful for the little or much they receive in life, and that they share not only the bread, do not forget to give, in addition, good treatment, valuable advice, and even part of your time so that joy reaches others.
I hope you have a happy holiday season.
Thank you very much! I wish you a wonderful Holiday season as well!
Through this platform I came to know more about this festival and very interesting views I have seen here. On the day of Christmas, I am waiting for their celebrations.
Sometimes we do seem to forget "the reason for the season" as it gets drowned out by rampant commercialism.
This time of the year, I periodically will buy a "suspended" coffee, when I get my own... that way, it will typically end up in the hands of one of our homeless or needy community members.
That's a great idea! I remember the "suspended coffee" Facebook page years ago. They were one of the first I remember who were promoting this concept.
In Christmas everybody has own plans to celebrate, some will give food to others who need those and some will spend much on his own things.
This month is very special for all of us because there are holidays and events within this month so we all go for a walk and the way we see you have made this gift. It looks very beautiful I like it a lot, in the same way in our country people travel long distances on vacations to see snowfall.
you are right
there is more good than bad, but the sad thing is the good is silent and bad is chanting.
Sharing something with other people on holidays is something that should be done. I think you will do it with the people that you love on Christmas day. God bless you, Eric.
Thank you Eliana! God bless you, my friend.
It is necessary during this Christmas period or holiday to actually reflect on how this year goes and make some corrections when needed
It's really an awesome thing to do by putting smile on people's faces.
Wonderful idea, Eric.
It's actually a little harder to do that in Japan. You try to pay for people at the coffee shop and they won't let you. Even with homeless people: you give them money or food and they refuse it. Still, I will think about ways I can do that in person around here.
You're absolute right when you say that it may help restore someone's faith in the goodness of humanity. This is the absolute best benefit. We spread joy and love and everyone benefits.
It's funny the timing of reading your post. I've been reading and listening to Arnold Schwarzenegger's new book "Be Useful" the past few weeks. I initially bought the book on a whim but I enjoyed it so much I bought the audiobook too so I could hear him read it himself. Anyway, the chapter I started listening to just yesterday is all about giving back to society, returning all the help and goodwill society has given you, plus some. Great coincidence!
Anyway, great idea!
Thank you! I can see how this concept would be tougher to execute in Japan, because of the culture. I'm considering offering my time and/or odder my assistance more than money. I don't know if that would work in Japan or not.
I haven't heard of Arnold's book but would have to look it up. It's a cool bit of serendipity! I like audiobooks too. It's so much easier to integrate into the "empty hours" of the day like -- walking, commuting, or working out.
I appreciate the comment! Enjoy the weekend!
Beautiful! What a powerful way to turn a simple encounter into a ripple of kindness. I love the Maya Angelou quote and the reminder that even small acts can spark a wave of good. In a world full of noise, this call to generosity feels like a soothing melody. Your proposal is simple yet profound, and the potential to spread joy is undeniable.
Thank you!
On the occasion of happiness, we must remember those people who have no money and no bread to eat. If we support all these people in these days, happiness will be much greater
#hive #posh
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