Inspiration Corner
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25 Low-Cost Ways to Pay it Forward - Make Someone's Day!
Paying it forward is all about love, compassion, kindness and putting faith back into humanity. It's also about making a big difference in the world. While you can't do everything to help everyone, you can do small things here and there to put a smile on someone's face.
If you want to make someone’s day today, here are 25 ways to go about it:
1. Call Your Parents
One phone call doesn't cost a thing but can make your mom and dad super happy, especially if you don't hear from them often. They just want to know everything's ok with you, so surprise them once in a while!
2. Be Nice to Every Stranger You Meet
Ever heard about being nice? Sadly, we don't see it often anymore, though. Mahatma Gandhi once said ?Be the change that you wish to see in the world.? So be nice and give a chance to people to be nice.
1. Call Your Parents
One phone call doesn't cost a thing but can make your mom and dad super happy, especially if you don't hear from them often. They just want to know everything's ok with you, so surprise them once in a while!
2. Be Nice to Every Stranger You Meet
Ever heard about being nice? Sadly, we don't see it often anymore, though. Mahatma Gandhi once said ?Be the change that you wish to see in the world.? So be nice and give a chance to people to be nice.
3. Ask a Friend for Advice
Asking a friend or family member for help means you trust their opinion and it can make them feel better. Maybe you should try it before going on your own every time.
4. Offer Help to Your Colleagues Just Because
Sometimes, you don't need a reason to help people. And sometimes, people are afraid to ask for help. Be a colleague and put yourself at their disposal if you have time.
5. Let the Courtesy Be Your Guidance on the Road
Your manners define you. Don't swear in traffic and don't let the stress handle you. When you're not in a hurry, drive carefully and watch out for the other drivers. That way the world will be a safer place.
6. Send a Kind Message to a Forgotten Friend
Remember the times you spent together. Write a joke reminding him or her of the times when you were hanging out. Nostalgia is a good thing; it is just a life's way of showing us that the past also matters.
7. Give Away Something for Free on Craigslist
Whether it’s the clothes you don't wear, CDs you don't listen anymore or something else you don't need, give, give, and give some more, especially to those in need. Karma will thank you.
8. Praise a Social Network Page or Blog You Like
Maybe someday you'll have your own page or blog. One positive comment can make a difference and because of motivation, it can make the page even better!
9. Invite Your Neighbor for a Run or Walk
Have a lonely neighbor or someone who looks like they could use a friend? See if they want to take an afternoon stroll and talk about life for a few.
Asking a friend or family member for help means you trust their opinion and it can make them feel better. Maybe you should try it before going on your own every time.
4. Offer Help to Your Colleagues Just Because
Sometimes, you don't need a reason to help people. And sometimes, people are afraid to ask for help. Be a colleague and put yourself at their disposal if you have time.
5. Let the Courtesy Be Your Guidance on the Road
Your manners define you. Don't swear in traffic and don't let the stress handle you. When you're not in a hurry, drive carefully and watch out for the other drivers. That way the world will be a safer place.
6. Send a Kind Message to a Forgotten Friend
Remember the times you spent together. Write a joke reminding him or her of the times when you were hanging out. Nostalgia is a good thing; it is just a life's way of showing us that the past also matters.
7. Give Away Something for Free on Craigslist
Whether it’s the clothes you don't wear, CDs you don't listen anymore or something else you don't need, give, give, and give some more, especially to those in need. Karma will thank you.
8. Praise a Social Network Page or Blog You Like
Maybe someday you'll have your own page or blog. One positive comment can make a difference and because of motivation, it can make the page even better!
9. Invite Your Neighbor for a Run or Walk
Have a lonely neighbor or someone who looks like they could use a friend? See if they want to take an afternoon stroll and talk about life for a few.
10. Hang Out with Your Little Cousins for at Least an Hour
Kids are awesome. Remember that one hour means nothing to you, but it can mean everything to them, even during these social media times where everybody's looking at their phone.
11. Give a Few Dollars to a Homeless Person
How many people just pass by a man or woman who's starving to death on the street? Don't be that person. We are all humans, and no one should beg for food. Food, as you may well know, won't cost you much.
12. Send One Motivation Quote to Three Friends Every Morning
If they are struggling with the exams or trying to lose weight, let them know you're thinking about them.
13. Volunteer - Help the Sick Children
There are things that we don't think about until they happen to us. Some kids are born with disabilities and couldn't even experience the ''normal'' life the majority of the world is living. Be the light in their small world.
14. Give a Token of Appreciation to Your Favorite Teacher
It can be your mentor in any area. Buy them a little present and show how grateful you are. After all, because of them, you are who you are.
15. Help Someone in Public
Whether it’s someone struggling with groceries or their kids, offer your help to make their day a bit easier.
16. Share Your Skills
Share your knowledge and offer your advice to someone who may benefit from the skills you have.
17. Clean After Yourself When Using the Public Toilet
Sounds disgusting, right? But think about the person who has to do it. Make the world more decent place. As we learned, be the change you want to see. If only one person who reads this starts doing that, we did a step forward.
18. Don't Forget to Tip Big
If the waiter who's already working hard serves you with a smile, give them the biggest tip you can afford. Not only that it will improve their self-confidence, but it will also make their day, and they will share the happiness further.
19. Use LinkedIn to Recommend a Co-worker
If you have a LinkedIn account, surprise the colleague with this act of kindness. Good things come to those who do good things, and the opportunities are just around the corner.
20. Write a Love Letter to Your Partner
Write all the things you love about them, how much you love them, what they mean to you, etc. Sometimes we first need to show some love to the ones who are with us every day. If the love letter is not enough, bake them cookies!
21. Bring Flowers to a Hospital
...and leave it there. The nurses are going to know who needs it most. Think about it; you will cheer up somebody you haven't even met!
22. Recommend a Good Book to a Friend
It can be a book, a movie, a TV show, or anything worth watching or reading. When something leaves an impression on you, share it with others. That way you originate excellence and not mediocrity.
23. Tolerate Others
Even if you don’t like someone or something they say, you don’t have to show it right away. The world consists of compromises, and we’re all different. Demonstrate the respect for others and expect it in return.
It’s just another sign of respect. Some studies have shown that the most of the people are feeling more important when they are called by their first name. Also, don’t be afraid to ask someone you have recently met for the name if you think you’ve forgotten it.
25. Help the Driver in Need
If you see someone with a flat tire, don't hesitate to stop and help. Don't be the person who's going to say ?I don't care, someone else will stop." In these kinds of situations, someone will remember you forever.
Kids are awesome. Remember that one hour means nothing to you, but it can mean everything to them, even during these social media times where everybody's looking at their phone.
11. Give a Few Dollars to a Homeless Person
How many people just pass by a man or woman who's starving to death on the street? Don't be that person. We are all humans, and no one should beg for food. Food, as you may well know, won't cost you much.
12. Send One Motivation Quote to Three Friends Every Morning
If they are struggling with the exams or trying to lose weight, let them know you're thinking about them.
13. Volunteer - Help the Sick Children
There are things that we don't think about until they happen to us. Some kids are born with disabilities and couldn't even experience the ''normal'' life the majority of the world is living. Be the light in their small world.
14. Give a Token of Appreciation to Your Favorite Teacher
It can be your mentor in any area. Buy them a little present and show how grateful you are. After all, because of them, you are who you are.
15. Help Someone in Public
Whether it’s someone struggling with groceries or their kids, offer your help to make their day a bit easier.
16. Share Your Skills
Share your knowledge and offer your advice to someone who may benefit from the skills you have.
17. Clean After Yourself When Using the Public Toilet
Sounds disgusting, right? But think about the person who has to do it. Make the world more decent place. As we learned, be the change you want to see. If only one person who reads this starts doing that, we did a step forward.
18. Don't Forget to Tip Big
If the waiter who's already working hard serves you with a smile, give them the biggest tip you can afford. Not only that it will improve their self-confidence, but it will also make their day, and they will share the happiness further.
19. Use LinkedIn to Recommend a Co-worker
If you have a LinkedIn account, surprise the colleague with this act of kindness. Good things come to those who do good things, and the opportunities are just around the corner.
20. Write a Love Letter to Your Partner
Write all the things you love about them, how much you love them, what they mean to you, etc. Sometimes we first need to show some love to the ones who are with us every day. If the love letter is not enough, bake them cookies!
21. Bring Flowers to a Hospital
...and leave it there. The nurses are going to know who needs it most. Think about it; you will cheer up somebody you haven't even met!
22. Recommend a Good Book to a Friend
It can be a book, a movie, a TV show, or anything worth watching or reading. When something leaves an impression on you, share it with others. That way you originate excellence and not mediocrity.
23. Tolerate Others
Even if you don’t like someone or something they say, you don’t have to show it right away. The world consists of compromises, and we’re all different. Demonstrate the respect for others and expect it in return.
Join our community of Thought Leaders!
24. Call Everyone by Their First NameIt’s just another sign of respect. Some studies have shown that the most of the people are feeling more important when they are called by their first name. Also, don’t be afraid to ask someone you have recently met for the name if you think you’ve forgotten it.
25. Help the Driver in Need
If you see someone with a flat tire, don't hesitate to stop and help. Don't be the person who's going to say ?I don't care, someone else will stop." In these kinds of situations, someone will remember you forever.
Copyrights © 2024 Inspiration Unlimited eMagazine
Any facts, figures or references stated here are made by the author & don't reflect the endorsement of iU at all times unless otherwise drafted by official staff at iU. This article was first published here on 27th April 2017.
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