Pay it Forward for Mom

This Sunday here’s a friendly reminder, don’t forget mom.

Growing up with brothers, the three of us and our father always struggled with what to get mom. We’d always ask mom what she wanted for that special day, and the response was always the same, the same to this day in fact. “I don’t want anything, do something nice for someone and that will make me feel like I raised good sons,” mom would quip.

There was a movie some years back about the very thing to which mom referred. When was the last time we ‘paid it forward?’ The term refers to doing something nice for someone, from friend to stranger, without their knowing it and without expecting something in return. With Easter just past, my oldest son and I spent a day at a hospice serving those among us just trying to get by. But the definitions to reach out and help or simply do something nice for someone are endless. Imagine if we all took a day and did something nice for someone?

Here’s the task at hand. Try to be spontaneous, absolutely do your act of kindness without condition and try to stay anonymous if you can. That makes it all the better somehow. Some examples may include, let the person in the grocery line behind you ahead, if you’re in line for a toll, pay for the person in the vehicle behind you. Make a donation to your charity of choice, mow your neighbor’s lawn, sweep their sidewalk, and bring a senior citizen a cake, pie, or homemade soup. You get the picture. Now imagine if everyone does this for one day. If every person over the age of 10 and under age 90 did this in our town just once, on one day, imagine what would happen. I’ll leave out the eldest and youngest among us, but if up to it, they can feel free to participate also. If we all did this on one day while you and I are giving of time and talent chances are we’d also be the recipient of something nice. This isn’t the point as stated earlier this works only if you commit to your kind gesture without condition. The point is when we all join as one and ‘pay forward’ the likelihood that you may receive as you give, grows. There’s a lot of value and benefit to this ‘pay forward’ concept that I am selling and hopefully you are buying this time around through the pages.

Here’s a small list of the benefits as you decide whether to sign on for the ‘Upper Bucks Lower Lehigh Pay it Forward Day’. You’ll feel good, I don’t know why, but you will. Your act will relieve stress and anxiety because at least for the moment of giving whatever you determine is appropriate, you’re not thinking about your ‘stuff’, that break in the action is very relaxing. Your act will build your community spirit, once you turn and offer kindness to a neighbor that benevolence gives back a sense of ownership that people can use your help, that you're needed from time to time beyond your family and workplace. Again, you’ll feel good. Don’t think it to death. You know what you can do to brighten the day of someone else. So just do it, to borrow the phrase from the sneaker company.

Teenagers, if you’re living at home think about helping your neighbor with a chore then giving mom a break by preparing a meal. Young people get an added bonus when they pay forward. People in your family and neighborhood might see you differently. It may change opinions about what people think of you, if that’s an issue. If it’s not, then it will only bolster your stock that you’re a solid citizen. Once more I have to offer my disclaimer, don’t expect reciprocity of any kind, otherwise you kill this drill.

With Mother’s Day on approach this Sunday think about all the kind and nice things done for you, many of which are done by dear mom. Once in a while you have to look past getting your agenda and stuff done and think about the bigger picture. Helping, serving and giving. We’re only a community if we choose to look beyond our world, at least from time to time. This isn’t a money thing, there’s no pitch to get your wallets or purse’s out. What I am asking you to commit to is far more valuable then money.

Your time. It’s all about time. The most precious resource we have. Just spend a little on ‘pay it forward day,’ and you’ll get a healthy return on investment. Now if you’ve bought the concept here’s the day. This Friday May 12th. I’m in, you’re in, we’re all in right?

If you’re not you’re going to feel pretty stupid when someone does something nice for you and you haven’t paid it forward. The good thing is you can always make it up on the next pay it forward day, which is whatever day you decide to think of your fellow man. When you’re done your good deed treat yourself, maybe to a soft pretzel at the new Philly Soft Pretzel Factory on Broad Street. A favorite hang out for me to be sure.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms out there.

See ‘ya around town.