by Jackie White
ASSIGINACK—Pay It Forward is a term that can actually be traced back to Athens in 317 BC, but most of us didn’t know that, believing the term was brought into the limelight in 2000 in the movie titled ‘Pay It Forward’ from the novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde. The movie focussed around doing three good deeds for every one you received, therefore with that ratio, making the world a better place to live.
Assiginack is going to do a two-week blast of ‘Pay It Forward’ by doing random acts of kindness (RAOK) between June 16 and July 1. In return the Township, along with the summer recreation program, will have a big party at the beach complete with games and refreshments.
Doing a random act of kindness does not necessarily mean it has to be a financial one. There are so many that require no money, but just some thoughtfulness. Googling either Pay It Forward or random acts of kindness brings up many ideas. Remember it is not only for adults, but a wonderful gesture for children to participate in as well.
Some ideas for kids and adults include writing thank you letters, make military care packages, clean out closets and donate clothes and toys, make cookies for a neighbour, give popsicles to kids on the street, pull weeds in a senior’s garden, have a coffee with someone who doesn’t get out that often, pay someone a compliment, and say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ and mean it. No doubt you can come up with many more, these are just a few to get you thinking.
We would love to hear what act of kindness you did so drop us a comment on our new Facebook page, or send an email or give us a call and let us know. Your name will be withheld but it would be fun to have a giant list of all the acts of kindness done by Assiginack residents.
To quote Charles Wiley, “Make one person happy each day and in 40 years you will have made 14,600 human beings happy for a little time at least.”
For more ideas, check out our blog at assiginack.blogspot.ca.
