Paying It Forward

When we think of Paying It Forward, most of us think about the movie by that name released in 2000 or the novel written by Catherine Ryan Hyde that the movie was based upon. Few people know that the original idea of Paying It Forward was proposed by Benjamin Franklin in a letter he wrote to Benjamin Webb on April 22, 1784.

" I do not pretend to give such a Sum; I only lend it to you. When you [...] meet with another honest Man in similar Distress, you must pay me by lending this Sum to him; enjoining him to discharge the Debt by a like operation, when he shall be able, and shall meet with another opportunity. I hope it may thus go thro' many hands, before it meets with a Knave that will stop its Progress. This is a trick of mine for doing a deal of good with a little money. "

Ben Franklin was very wise, especially in financial matters, but Paying It Forward does not have to involve money. Here are some ideas for Paying It Forward that won't cost a dime.

Smile
Compliment someone on a job well done
Let someone in front of you
Give someone your seat
Help an older person
Mentor someone
Help a neighbor with a project
Take a new mother a meal
Write an encouraging card to our troops (try http://www.letssaythanks.com/)