Pay it Forward

How can I ever pay you back for this?

Have you ever caught yourself telling someone that you feel bad because you've taken so much from them, and you don't feel like you've given back much in return? Or have you been on the receiving end of this comment?

This past April I flew to Seattle to visit my mom’s family. I hadn’t been out to visit Grama & Grampo in a few years, and the trip was long overdue. Grampo turns 86 this Thursday and he has led an extremely successful life so far, between his family, his friends, and his professional accomplishments. As I did the breakfast dishes one morning, Grampo remained sitting at the table, and he shared a thought that was troubling him. He said that he is very thankful for all of his life’s successes, but he doesn’t know to whom to direct his gratitude. This is bothering him a lot.

I suggested that he’s doing well in the grand karmatic scheme of things, since he’s been quite diligent at saying thank you along the way. More than that, he’s given back significantly in return, from the graduate students he’s mentored along the way at the University of Washington school of dentistry, to his patients at his own private practice, to the study clubs he chaired and participated in, and to his family, friends, and the community in which he’s lived for over 55 years. This alumni newsletter (skip to p. 28) highlights how one of his former students, Dr. James Oates, established a scholarship fund in Grampo’s honor, thanking him for influencing Dr. Oates’ success, and now helping others who will come after. Grampo’s been paying it forward for over 85 years already – as are others he has helped!

Life is tangled, and truly nobody is an island. Your successes in life so far are highly attributable to people who’ve helped you along your journey. Whether it be your parents who raised you (and maybe put you through college – thanks Mom & Dad!), or your closest friends who provided you counsel when you really needed it, or the manager at your first job who saw something special in you and took extra time to champion you … you did not get to where you are today alone. Be sure that you’re making a difference for someone else too!

Action Challenge: As you find new people along life’s journey who need and merit your help - give it freely without expecting immediate payback. Ask in return only that they help someone else coming up the ladder after them. Make it a part of your personal brand to help others – and in return ask only that they pay it forward.

None of us got where we are today all by ourselves - we are all a product of many other people's efforts. Be a part of someone else's success!

Cheers and all my best to you!
~Brooxi

“You see, I do something real good for three people. And then when they ask how they can pay it back, I say they have to Pay It Forward. To three more people. Each. So nine people get helped. Then those people have to do twenty-seven. Then it sort of spreads out, see. To eighty-one. Then two hundred forty-three. Then seven hundred twenty-nine. Then two thousand, one hundred eighty-seven. See how big it gets?”

- Trevor McKinney, Pay It Forward

For more information on the Pay It Forward Foundation and how you can be a part of the Pay It Forward movement free of charge, click Here.

© Stephanie Brooks 2008