Pay it Forward or Karma?

Every business should Pay it Forward

Inspired by the novel, “Pay it Forward” which was authored by Catherine Ryan Hyde, and the 2000 movie – Pay it Forward Day began in Australia in 2007. The day’s concept is to help others. And instead of expecting something in return, you ask the recipients to pass the kindness on to other people – to pay it forward.

Envisage a world, where one person helps another individual, who then does something good for three others, who are each kind to three more folks, and so on. Soon, the ripple effect spreads all over the globe.

While a business or an individual can certainly take on big projects, such as supporting a charity or a cause that means most to them, simple acts of kindness are recommended.

• Why not call or meet up with a friend you know is going through a rough patch, and offer your emotional support?
• Or perhaps your kids have toys and books they no longer read. Ask your kids to go through them with you, and contact schools, churches, day-care centres or other non-profit organisations who may need them. Bring your children along when you donate the books so they see firsthand where the books are going. Can you imagine how happy they’d feel when they understand the books will entertain other children for many years to come?
• Help a co-worker start her day by treating her to a cup of coffee.
• Offer your seat to another passenger. Your compassionate gesture will brighten her day – inspiring her to pay it forward.

As you go about assisting those in need, enjoy the strong flow of positive energy coming from your home, neighbourhood, province, country and yes – the world. How rewarding to know that when everyone opts to reach out and pay it forward, many lives are enriched. And your acts of kindness will consequently put you in a happy mood.

Health Benefits: Studies have shown that the effects of kindness not only make you feel good but also improve your mental and physical health. In 1991 Allan Luks, former executive director of the Institute for the Advancement of Health, conducted a study of several thousand volunteers located around the country to understand what their emotional state was like after they helped someone else. He determined that helping others and performing acts of kindness improved the overall health of study participants, even lowering stress. So what are the workplace implications of Luks’s results? Well obviously we are living through some extremely difficult and stressful economic times, so if an act of kindness can help, even in some small way, wouldn’t you want to try it? And wouldn’t you want to try it in the workplace, which may well be the most stressful environment you are exposed to on a daily basis?