Pay it Forward
I received a video clip the other day from the movie Pay it Forward, with Haley-Joel Osment, Helen Hunt, and Kevin Spacey. For those of you who have not seen this movie yet, I would encourage you to do so as soon as you can. I will not divulge the details of the entire story, but let’s just say that the connection between the title and the story is so powerful, that it quite possibly will change your life…..at least temporarily. I watched the movie several years ago, and I remember being very moved by the story. I’m sure it brought tears to my eyes at the time, but quite frankly, I was in such a different emotional space than I'm in now, and the feeling didn’t last. So even though I was moved by the story…..and it impacted me at the moment...it really didn’t change my life. Like many people caught up their egocentric lives, I just had too much on my own plate to be concerned about paying something forward. I figured that, in my own way, I was already doing things to help people, and that was enough.
If you have been following my blog, you probably know that my life is a bit different now than it used to be. Throughout my transformation, I have become much more introspective and inquisitive about things....all things. I can’t get my hands on enough reading material, and I find real peace, comfort, and joy in learning new things…..mostly as they relate to philosophy, spirituality, and human nature in general. I seemed to have awoken from some sort of cocoon state and now have a heightened sense of awareness of everything I read, see, touch, and experience. While I was watching this clip on Pay it Forward the other day, I started crying like a child. Yes guys…..it’s OK to cry :). But these weren’t sad tears…..it was just flat out emotion. A real sense of excitement and joy at the simple prospect of people helping others in need. Another reason for my tears was that the character played by Osment was about the same age as my son Alexander. Last year, at Christmas time, my 5 kids and I were driving to Target to get some gifts with the Christmas money they got from my mom. They each got $5 and we were off to get some more much needed (:))toys. On the way to the store, we passed a homeless man. Alexander was sitting in the front seat and he said to me, “Hey dad, what is that man doing?” I told him that he was homeless and that he was probably trying to get some money for some food. We were on the other side of the street, so we didn’t stop and that was basically the end of the conversation. We went to the store, the kids got their toys, but Alexander didn’t get anything. When I asked him why, he told me that he wanted to give his $5 to the homeless man on our way home. Well, I cried that day....and cried again because the video clip reminded me of that day.
Anyway, that is basically what the movie is all about. Again, not to give too much away, but the basic premise is that by Paying it Forward…..we can change the world. Yes, actually change the world. Hokey…..you think?? Well…not me.
You see, if you live your life each day with a focus on helping others, and they do the same, the snowball can get really big as it rolls down the hill. The key is for each of us to actually believe this is true. Many people will say, “Well, I am just one person…..nothing that I can do can change the world”. The truth is that by changing your world and the worlds of the few people you help, YOU are actually contributing to the greater good….and you ARE changing the world. Have you ever heard people say, “I want to be part of something greater than myself?” Well my friends, here’s your chance. Here’s your opportunity to change the way you live. I can tell it’s through times of difficulty that we find our true path. For me, it’s a path to make a significant contribution to as many people as I can through my writing, my relationships, and most importantly through the way I live my life every day. What is it for you? When is the last time you “paid it forward”? It’s very easy to start. First, make a list of the people in your life…..right now....that need some sort of help. It could be anything, but make sure it’s something that you feel you can help with. Than just call them up, go visit them, send something in the mail……and guess what? You did it!!
As for me, I have been trying to help people become better for the better part of 25 years...but I kind of missed the boat. The boat I missed lies in the “reason” I set out to help these people. You see I always had some sort of angle or agenda. Maybe, it was to get ahead in business, to grow my sales numbers, to earn more money, or even to get a promotion. As I look back, I am quite sure that there was some authenticity in my approach....but not the type that is needed to actually “change” myself….and ultimately the people around me. The bottom line is that you Pay it Forward just because it’s the “right thing to do”.....and you do it from the bottom of your heart. A servant’s heart.....that’s where the rewards come from. It’s truly the small and simple things in life that make all of the difference. If you concentrate on helping others and stay focused on making this a part of your daily life, your life will be filled with abundance. Remember, the real trick here is to do it from a place deep inside that can’t be touched by anyone but you. If you do it get recognized, you will water it down, and your rewards will be temporarily. Trust me, I have traveled that path, and it honestly leads nowhere. The real path is to live a “Pay it Forward” life. I will conclude with an excellent and poignant quote by F.B Meyer:
“I used to think that God’s gifts were on shelves one above the other, and the taller we grew in character the easier we could reach them. I now find that God’s gifts are on shelves one beneath the other. It is not a question of growing taller, but of stooping down, to get His best gifts”
PS – In true Pay it Forward fashion…..here’s the link to the video clip. This will make your day!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvbgetKzrmA&feature=related
If you have been following my blog, you probably know that my life is a bit different now than it used to be. Throughout my transformation, I have become much more introspective and inquisitive about things....all things. I can’t get my hands on enough reading material, and I find real peace, comfort, and joy in learning new things…..mostly as they relate to philosophy, spirituality, and human nature in general. I seemed to have awoken from some sort of cocoon state and now have a heightened sense of awareness of everything I read, see, touch, and experience. While I was watching this clip on Pay it Forward the other day, I started crying like a child. Yes guys…..it’s OK to cry :). But these weren’t sad tears…..it was just flat out emotion. A real sense of excitement and joy at the simple prospect of people helping others in need. Another reason for my tears was that the character played by Osment was about the same age as my son Alexander. Last year, at Christmas time, my 5 kids and I were driving to Target to get some gifts with the Christmas money they got from my mom. They each got $5 and we were off to get some more much needed (:))toys. On the way to the store, we passed a homeless man. Alexander was sitting in the front seat and he said to me, “Hey dad, what is that man doing?” I told him that he was homeless and that he was probably trying to get some money for some food. We were on the other side of the street, so we didn’t stop and that was basically the end of the conversation. We went to the store, the kids got their toys, but Alexander didn’t get anything. When I asked him why, he told me that he wanted to give his $5 to the homeless man on our way home. Well, I cried that day....and cried again because the video clip reminded me of that day.
Anyway, that is basically what the movie is all about. Again, not to give too much away, but the basic premise is that by Paying it Forward…..we can change the world. Yes, actually change the world. Hokey…..you think?? Well…not me.
You see, if you live your life each day with a focus on helping others, and they do the same, the snowball can get really big as it rolls down the hill. The key is for each of us to actually believe this is true. Many people will say, “Well, I am just one person…..nothing that I can do can change the world”. The truth is that by changing your world and the worlds of the few people you help, YOU are actually contributing to the greater good….and you ARE changing the world. Have you ever heard people say, “I want to be part of something greater than myself?” Well my friends, here’s your chance. Here’s your opportunity to change the way you live. I can tell it’s through times of difficulty that we find our true path. For me, it’s a path to make a significant contribution to as many people as I can through my writing, my relationships, and most importantly through the way I live my life every day. What is it for you? When is the last time you “paid it forward”? It’s very easy to start. First, make a list of the people in your life…..right now....that need some sort of help. It could be anything, but make sure it’s something that you feel you can help with. Than just call them up, go visit them, send something in the mail……and guess what? You did it!!
As for me, I have been trying to help people become better for the better part of 25 years...but I kind of missed the boat. The boat I missed lies in the “reason” I set out to help these people. You see I always had some sort of angle or agenda. Maybe, it was to get ahead in business, to grow my sales numbers, to earn more money, or even to get a promotion. As I look back, I am quite sure that there was some authenticity in my approach....but not the type that is needed to actually “change” myself….and ultimately the people around me. The bottom line is that you Pay it Forward just because it’s the “right thing to do”.....and you do it from the bottom of your heart. A servant’s heart.....that’s where the rewards come from. It’s truly the small and simple things in life that make all of the difference. If you concentrate on helping others and stay focused on making this a part of your daily life, your life will be filled with abundance. Remember, the real trick here is to do it from a place deep inside that can’t be touched by anyone but you. If you do it get recognized, you will water it down, and your rewards will be temporarily. Trust me, I have traveled that path, and it honestly leads nowhere. The real path is to live a “Pay it Forward” life. I will conclude with an excellent and poignant quote by F.B Meyer:
“I used to think that God’s gifts were on shelves one above the other, and the taller we grew in character the easier we could reach them. I now find that God’s gifts are on shelves one beneath the other. It is not a question of growing taller, but of stooping down, to get His best gifts”
PS – In true Pay it Forward fashion…..here’s the link to the video clip. This will make your day!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvbgetKzrmA&feature=related
Alexander is spiritual sunshine in human form and clearly separates himself from the masses, both children and adults alike. You can bet the blessings your child has in store for him are beyond your imagination. As you said, giving when there is absolutely no way one could expect something in return is by far the purest form of spirituality in action. Thanks, Tony, for sharing. Holly
ReplyDeletetony...what a wonderful thing to read as i start a fresh, new week. it's so easy to get caught up in our own selves--i am so grateful to be reminded that it truly is in giving of ourselves that we receive. thank you. :)
ReplyDeleteTony,
ReplyDeleteIt IS about the service we provide to others - how we help others. You're absolutely right when you say it's the intent of that service - to gain or to help - that not only makes a difference in what we receive in return, but also who we become in return.
Great insight Tony and more food for thought.