Is this possible?

[NewCasa]

I often wonder about this.....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pay_it_forward

Please, no snyde or sarcastic remarks ok? Just think on it. Oh, and if you think it's in the wrong thread I disagree, but maybe we can argue that in another thread :)

Let's maybe try to reserve this thread for some constructive discussion, if anyone's up for it.

[Slow]

So are your surmising this is what religious people do, even if subconsciously?

[NewCasa]

So are your surmising this is what religious people do, even if subconsciously?

Actually my only real assumption is that 'pay it forward is a good thing.

The purpose for my post really comes from a sincere wish to see something like this actually happen and wondering if it really is possible.

[Blunt]

Actually my only real assumption is that 'pay it forward is a good thing.

The purpose for my post really comes from a sincere wish to see something like this actually happen and wondering if it really is possible.


I think 'pay it forward' is a great philosophy. It is a respectable motivation to perpetuate kind acts. I think many of us do pay it forward without even consciously realizing it. We do not often attribute our good deeds as a bi-product of having been the recipient of a good deed.

[Soundbear]

The Golden Rule exemplified.

[Bluesky]

I call it the power of grace. God has been so good to me. In fact, his grace transforms me. Whereas once I was bitter and self-preoccupied/absorbed, I can now treat other people with the grace that God has treated me with.

I did not deserve his kindness. But because He has treated me with kindness, I am obligated to BE this way to others who cross my path. I WANT to be this way.

Have you ever been in the presence of a powerful grace? Real grace? I have at times been intoxicated with it. The realization of it sometimes (although rarely) feels like a fountain wanting to burst forth... but as with many things spiritual, I find it hard to put into words.

[Tansy]

Yay No Casa has made a return!
This one...? I'd say that it's either a charecter gift or flaw. Some take the 'good luck' and run, some remember it and return it when they can.
Is this due to religion? Well.... for me it would be. But I've met some pretty darned funky people that will have no truck with religion whatsoever that make this a part of thier daily lifestyle. We could surmise that God is working through such people even though they disbelive.... the whole "God believes in them" even though they do not do so. And I though I may *like* that idea being a spiritual person, I also admit that I may be wrong.

[NewCasa]

Hi guys.

I don't think we've got it. My question was more of a practical one than an existential one.

Do you think we could do this? Pay it forward? The idea is that by doing random acts of kindness for 3 people and asking nothing in return but that they 'pay it forward' by doing random acts of kindness for 3 other people and asking the same of them a huge movement is started simply by the force of human kindness and geometric growth.

So the question is: Could we do this? And the follow up question is: Would we do this?

Get your heads out of the clouds! :)

Oh and PS: If there had been a philosophy thread I might have posted this there. Tansy said it - this has to do with morality, character and human kindness - not necessarily religion. Now, that said - I think we all know that if a mod were to transfer this thread to the soapbox it be destroyed in seconds - so I honestly didn't know where else to post it.

[Anapeg]

Can it work? I'm living proof that it can, simply ask around. I'm not looking for approval nor recognition, I simply make the point. Can the queenly "we" do it, possibly. Once selfishness gets pushed aside.

[NewCasa]

Can it work? I'm living proof that it can, simply ask around. I'm not looking for approval nor recognition, I simply make the point. Can the queenly "we" do it, possibly. Once selfishness gets pushed aside.

I've been known to do random acts of kindness myself and I happen to believe that it's far more common than some of us old cynics would care to admit, but what about the other part of the point - do we ask them to 'pay it forward'? I know it's never occurred to me to do that before.

And yes, I'm using the royal 'we'. Don't you think it'd be cool if 15 or 20 people made a pact to go out and do random acts of kindness for 3 people in the next week and ask each of them to pay it forward?

Just putting it out there and wondering if it was possible. In my books that'd be something approaching a miracle in it's way. And there's no sarcasm intended in that comment.

[Anapeg]

I ask them to "pay it forward" all the time, simply not in those words. When I hit our bridge I often pay for the car behind me and they (bridge personnal) have never stopped me. Those folks I can't talk to and I just hope they smile and carry it on. As a marching band member I have had other members who where behind me tell me it has lasted for at least twenty minutes or so. Not bad.

All that is required is the gimme and I want/need attitude has to be set aside and it can flourish.