Pay It Forward

This was a lovely little movie from the year 2000 with that oh-so-cute little actor (Haley Joel Osment) that undoubtedly grew up and became less cute.  At least that's the reaction I get when people see the bracelet I wear that says "Pay it Forward".

In fact the concept goes back many many years, and is attributed to many practitioners from Benjamin Franklin, to Emerson and the phrase itself is credited to Lily Hardy Hammond in her 1916 book entitled "In the Garden of Delight".

Pop culture means historic and interesting references give way to movies though - and the movie had a core message that was conveyed in the title and the desire was to make the idea into a movement.  I'm happy to say that Charley Johnson has done that - and founded Pay it Forward, from which my little bracelet comes.  It's a wonderful idea, and one I'm happy to support, thanks to a few very smart people in my life that helped make me aware of it.

The concept is brazenly simple and elegant.  Do something nice for someone else.  Then give them the token (the bracelet in my case), and ask that they pay that kindness forward to another.  I wear it as it provides a constant reminder to me that I should be thinking of others more than myself.  That's what I 'get' out if it.  Being able to do something nice for another person - well that's just a bonus.

Interested ?  Get your own bracelet here.