PAY IT FORWARD
In the words of Ghandi "Be the change you wish to see" and I believe that is the true meaning of the pay-it-forward concept. Instead of lamenting about the evils in the world and then carrying on with your life 'blind', try and find out out what you can do to make a difference. We can't all be Ghandi's but every small positive change we make has a knock on effect.
I personally have tried to build this into my life. I am a strong believer that without education the world is closed to you so each year I try and help at least on extra child get an education. Education is the foundation of positive change in my opinion. We need to educate our children against hate and to conserve this planet. They cannot be expected to do that if without an education they are unable to even take care of themselves.
My challenge to each of you, find an organisation in your area that supports education and help. Either sponsor a child for a year (my sponsorship this year was R600 and included fees, uniform and annual outing - in the reality of my life it is a trip to the movies with my kids). If financially you are unable then give of your time. Teach a skill. Fix up classrooms. Volunteer to organise an outing. It ALL adds up.
South Africa has faced some tough challenges this week with xenophobic attacks on the rise. While I understand that the locals feel threatened that their livelihoods are being taken by people who are willing to work for less, this morning I woke to reports that a lot of those locals were now protecting these so called foreigners. Setting up patrols in their neighbourhoods as they are determined this beautiful country will not be destroyed by a few disgruntled factions. That is what pay-it-forward is about.
You don't expect reward. You do what you can with what you have. You may think it is little but the ripple effects of your actions will last a long time.
It again comes down to the truth that one grand gesture isn't what it is about. It is the billion small ones. The billion pay-it-forwards that become 2 billion and so forth and forth.
You yourself will experience a sense of peace. When you give freely to others your life becomes so much richer and rewarding. Try it. Nothing is too small.
Pay it forward today.
I personally have tried to build this into my life. I am a strong believer that without education the world is closed to you so each year I try and help at least on extra child get an education. Education is the foundation of positive change in my opinion. We need to educate our children against hate and to conserve this planet. They cannot be expected to do that if without an education they are unable to even take care of themselves.
My challenge to each of you, find an organisation in your area that supports education and help. Either sponsor a child for a year (my sponsorship this year was R600 and included fees, uniform and annual outing - in the reality of my life it is a trip to the movies with my kids). If financially you are unable then give of your time. Teach a skill. Fix up classrooms. Volunteer to organise an outing. It ALL adds up.
South Africa has faced some tough challenges this week with xenophobic attacks on the rise. While I understand that the locals feel threatened that their livelihoods are being taken by people who are willing to work for less, this morning I woke to reports that a lot of those locals were now protecting these so called foreigners. Setting up patrols in their neighbourhoods as they are determined this beautiful country will not be destroyed by a few disgruntled factions. That is what pay-it-forward is about.
You don't expect reward. You do what you can with what you have. You may think it is little but the ripple effects of your actions will last a long time.
It again comes down to the truth that one grand gesture isn't what it is about. It is the billion small ones. The billion pay-it-forwards that become 2 billion and so forth and forth.
You yourself will experience a sense of peace. When you give freely to others your life becomes so much richer and rewarding. Try it. Nothing is too small.
Pay it forward today.