This past year, I did something that I’ve never done before that was very unusual and not at all typical. Without getting into the gory details, let’s just say I believe I put some surprise and (hopefully) joy into the lives of a couple of my former HS friends – two special and wonderful people whom I’ve not seen in more than thirty years (AA and DR). These two persons played a very important and special part of my life toward the end of HS and early college yrs (whether they know it or not). I also sent something to another friend (KK) whom I’ve not seen in a few yrs. At the time this past yr when I mailed their surprise to them I knew why I was doing what I was doing, but I didn’t know what (if anything), I was expecting afterwards.
Then, this morning, I saw the following from my friend and former colleague, Robert Baker, who posted this on his status wall:
“This world needs as much kindness as it can get. I’m participating in this ‘Pay it Forward’ initiative: The first five people who comment on this status with “I’m in” will receive a surprise from me at some point during the year – anything from a book, a ticket, something home-grown, homemade, a postcard, absolutely any surprise! There will be no warning and it will happen when the mood comes over me and I find something that I believe would suit you and make you happy. These five people should make the same offer on their Facebook status. Once my first five have commented “I’m in” I will forward this message to you privately, so that you can copy and paste it, and put it on your status, so that we can form a web of connection of kindness. Let’s do more nice and loving things in 2015, without any reason other than to make each other smile and show that we think of each other! Here’s to a more enjoyable and friendly, and love filled year….Who’s in?”
So, even though I didn’t really know at the time why I was sending my surprises to my two HS friends, I’m now able to articulate it (using the words from above).
If you want to be a part of my new “Pay It Forward/2015” endeavor, feel free to respond to this post with “I’m in”.
Thank you.
Post script: I’m not limiting this to just five friends, so if you see/count five I’m in’s, don’t let that deter you from responding to this invitation!
