Light The World With Kindness

Hi everyone,

This is Darleen Santore, U.S. Ambassador for Pay it Forward Day! Have you heard about Pay it Forward Day? If not, here’s your chance to learn more about a movement designed to light the world with kindness.

Global Pay it Forward Day happens all over the world every year on April 28th.

This is a day designed to spark a massive ripple of good across the planet.

How do we start this ripple? All it takes is one selfless, intentional act of kindness with no expectation of being paid back. 

Instead, what you ask for in return is that the recipient “Pay it Forward”. The goal isn’t to focus on kindness “for just one day.” Instead, the intention is to start the ripple of good on this one day and keep it going long after Pay it Forward Day is over!
 
In spite of all that’s happening in the world right now, our hope is that on Pay it Forward Day our news feeds and news channels will be dominated by good news stories. We want to light the world with examples of hope and show people everywhere that the world is united in kindness—but we need your help to make this happen!

If we’ve learned anything as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s how much we need each other. In the midst of so much pain, loss, uncertainty and sorrow, think about all the good we’ve experienced. Across the world people are helping each other right now, maybe more than ever before.  

If it’s been said once, it’s been said a million times, but it’s the truth: we’re all in this together. Our very livelihood depends on everyone doing what’s right, and giving their best.

The very best of humanity is shining through...from health care professionals working on the front lines, to seamstresses sewing masks to help keep people safe, to companies shifting their entire operation to step up and help in significant ways, to children drawing encouraging messages on sidewalks and driveways, to musicians and artists using their gifts to bring us joy. It’s truly amazing to see how this pandemic is helping to bring out the very best in us.
 
Even though it may seem like there is so little we can control right now, there is something we all can do. We can use our gifts and talents to make a difference in the lives of others.

As an Occupational Therapist and Mental Edge Coach, I use my gifts and talents and align them with the world's needs, because ultimately that’s where we find our purpose.

What I tell my clients is something that I also want to share with you:

We weren’t created to do life alone. We were created to do life together. We all fit together like pieces of a puzzle, each bringing different gifts and talents to the table, and each piece is needed to help move humanity forward—and Pay it Forward Day is a perfect chance to do just that!  

Here are 3 specific ways to get involved in Pay it Forward Day: 

1. Commit, right now, to doing intentional acts of kindness, today and every day. Be on the lookout for opportunities to use your gifts and talents for good.
2. Share a photo with a heart drawn on your hand to tell the world you stand for kindness. Encourage people everywhere to join you for Pay It Forward Day on April 28th, and be sure to use the hashtag #payitforwardday so we can all cheer you on.
3. Know that you matter. This is perhaps the most important point of all. The fact that you are here, on this earth, at this time, is not an accident. The things you do, no matter how big or how small, will make a difference. You have something the world needs...never forget that!

Need inspiration to help you get started? Here are a few pay it forward examples we’ve heard recently from amazing people just like you:
 
People are...

• Donating cleaning supplies, meals or money to those who need them most.
• Donating fabric or sewing face masks for others.
• Helping doctors and nurses in tangible ways… like providing opportunities for rest and relaxation, or helping to feed their families so they can focus on working on the front lines.
• Offering help to neighbors who are elderly or immunocompromised.
• Providing relief for weary parents who are also now playing the role of teacher.
• Adopting a “senior buddy” to check in on regularly by calls, texts and FaceTime.
• Writing encouraging messages for others to find using sidewalk chalk.
• Donating blood.
• Doing yard work for neighbors.
• Adopting a pet.
• Donating gift cards from local restaurants to homeless shelters or families in need.
• Intentionally connecting and encouraging those who are living alone.
• Contributing to worthy causes like the Red Cross, the CDC and others.
• Donating non-perishable items to food pantries nationwide.

The options are seriously endless, and no act of good is too big or too small. Remember: what the world needs right now is an extra dose of love and kindness, so have fun with it and get creative!

Keep in mind, Pay it Forward Day is not associated with any brand or foundation. There is nothing to buy, no subscription needed, and there is no funding behind this initiative. It is wholly supported by kind-hearted volunteers in 86 countries around the world---all united with the same common mission: to leave the world a better place than we found it.

We would be so grateful if you would join us!

You can learn more by visiting Global Pay it Forward Day and following the movement on Instagram or Facebook.  

Be well, be safe, and always be kind.

Coach Dar
U.S. Ambassador for Global Pay it Forward Day