"Paying it forward" is one of the best things I've ever embraced, as an idea. I used to have a little round sticker I made - the size of a political campaign button - that said around its rim "Pay It Forward - It comes Back Around" with an extended "helping hand" graphic in the middle. It was in the center of the side of my briefcase. That sticker brought more comments and more chances to share the idea with others than any bumper sticker or other bit of advertising I've ever had.
It really does come back around. Shortly after I moved here I ended up with gangrene in my left foot, and the doctor had to surgically remove about a 1/4 of the sole of it. I spent 6 weeks in the hospital and then a surgical recovery center, and was pretty much confined to my apartment thereafter for a long time. I only got out when I had to go to a Dr's appointment, or when it was absolutely necessary, as walking was a real chore - using a crutch or cane on my left side is essentially impossible with no left hand. On my way home one afternoon from the Doctor's office I had a flat on the left rear tire while on the freeway. I got over into the e-lane, stopped, and (slowly) got the jack and spare tire out of the trunk. Put the jack in place (screw type jack), and tried to jack up the car while standing on one foot. It just wasn't happening - while I futzed with it at least 200 vehicles passed me by, including 2 cop cars I saw. I was pretty hot, and very frustrated, and was contemplating giving up and hobbling a half mile to the exit and down to a business where I could call for some help when a pickup stopped. Out hopped an early 20-something young lady, who trotted up and said, "Let me do that for you", as cheerful and chipper as she could be.
So, she changed the tire for me, insisted on putting everything in the trunk for me, and was as helpful as possible. I thanked her, profusely, and asked her why she stopped. She smiled really big, and said, "I'm just Paying It Forward."
So, I asked her too wait a moment, grabbed my briefcase, dumped the stuff in the seat, closed it up and handed it to her. She was declining it, until I pointed out the sticker to her, and told her it was the last copy I had, and I wanted her to have it.
I need to make some more of those stickers.
