5 Easy Things To Do For Pay It Forward Day 2023

“Paying it forward” means starting an act of kindness, expecting nothing in return. 

Instead, the recipient of the kind act is encouraged to do something kind for someone else, creating a chain reaction of good deeds. 

The goodwill ripple effect will spread far beyond the initial act and ultimately improve the world. 

Tell us how you like to pay it forward in the comment section! 

This article will highlight the following:

• How paying it forward became popular
• Why paying it forward is beneficial for everyone 
• What is National Pay It Forward Day
• 5 Easy things you can do to pay it forward this year 

The phrase “pay it forward” was popularized by the movie of the same name, in which a young boy named Trevor tries to make the world a better place by helping three people and asking them to pay it forward to three others. 

 The movie Pay It Forward was based on the best-selling book by Catherine Ryan Hyde. 

The book was first published in 1999, leading to the movie adaptation in 2000.

The idea behind paying it forward is to help others and create a sense of community and connection.

By encouraging people to help each other in small ways, we can build stronger and more supportive communities where people feel valued and cared for.

National Pay It Forward Day 

National Pay It Forward Day is an unofficial holiday that occurs every year on April 28. 

It was first organized by the Pay It Forward Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 2000 by Catherine Ryan Hyde, the author of Pay It Forward. 

The Pay It Forward Foundation aims to inspire people to make a positive difference in the world by doing good deeds for others and encouraging them to pay it forward to someone else. 

While it’s not an official holiday, National Pay It Forward Day has gained widespread popularity and is celebrated in many countries worldwide. 

Today, people perform random acts of kindness for others to spread goodwill and positivity in their communities.

5 Easy Ways for You To Pay It Forward

The following list includes five great ways to pay it forward this April 28. 

What’s even better is that none of these ideas require money or large amounts of time. 

This list proves it is possible to do good deeds for others that require little time or effort but still make a big impact on making the world a better place. 

1. Write a kind note or letter to someone who needs encouragement

You would be amazed at how far a few kind words can go in the life of someone whose struggling. 

We all need emotional support sometimes, regardless of who it comes from.

Writing a small note or letter of encouragement to someone going through hard times can give them the emotional boost they need to keep going. 

This kind of personal support also fosters connections between people. 

It can help build or strengthen relationships and let others know they are valued. 

Overall, it’s a simple yet powerful way to spread kindness and positivity worldwide. 

2. Donate to a local shelter or charity

Donating food, clothes, toys, or other items to a local shelter, charity, or crisis resource center can go a long way in helping others in your community. 

Besides directly helping people in need, donating also supports the mission of the charity or shelter and allows them to continue their efforts within the community.  

In this way, you are guaranteed that your “pay it forward” donation will be “automatically” paid forward by the receiving charity or organization.

An added perk is that donating to a registered charity or shelter may also provide tax benefits for you.

Depending on your location and the specific charity, your donation may be tax deductible, which can help to reduce your tax liability at the end of the year. 

Donating food or goods is a great way to know that you’ve positively impacted someone’s life, even in a small way, and that can be incredibly rewarding.

3. Leave a positive review for a business or service you enjoyed

How often do we leave a positive review for a business or service?

Statistically, not as often as we leave negative ones. 

According to a 2018 survey by ReviewTrackers, 60% of customers leave a negative review after having a bad experience, while only 53% of customers give a positive review after a good experience. 

But reviews can go a long way in helping a good business succeed, so taking the time to leave a positive review for a business is an act of kindness that keeps giving. 

A 2021 study by BrightLocal determined that 91% of consumers between the ages of 18 and 34 trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.

The same study also found that 93% of consumers read online reviews to determine the quality of a local business.

Statistically speaking, those are huge numbers. 

If that many people are searching for reviews to help decide where and how they spend their money, then having positive reviews is crucial for a business to succeed. 

This National Pay It Forward Day, spend a few minutes giving a positive review to a business or service provider that gave you a great experience. 

It goes a long way in helping that business stay open and keep providing the service that you love. 

4. Offer to help a stranger

All of us have seen someone we don’t know that could use a helping hand. 

Paying it forward by doing a random act of helping kindness for a stranger is one of the easiest things you can do for Pay It Forward Day. 

Maybe you can open a door for a parent with a stroller or help an elderly person load their grocery bags into their car. 

The options here are endless, and the best part is that when you see a stranger who could use your help, you’ll know it.

You don’t need to think too much about it, just maintain a generous spirit and desire to pay it forward, and the right opportunity will present itself. 

5. Smile at someone you don’t know 

It’s arguably the simplest, fastest, most efficient way to pay it forward this coming National Pay It Forward Day. 

A simple smile can make a significant difference in someone’s life. 

Showing kindness with a smile can help ease pain and suffering and show people that someone cares about their feelings. 

Smiles increase connection, positive associations, and feelings of love and contentment. 

Smiling also reduces stress, which is a bonus for you who is doing the smiling!

Better yet, smiling is contagious, so the receiver is highly likely to pay the smile forward.

Overall, a simple smile can have a powerful impact on the world. 

It can spread positivity, build connections, and reduce stress. 

So, don’t underestimate the power of a smile – it can truly change the world in small but meaningful ways.

Be kind out there today

Hopefully, this article inspired you to be kind to people you see today (and every day).

Tell us your favorite way to pay it forward in the comment section!

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