paid forward…pass it on
categories: get inspiredI stumbled upon a blog called “life by candlelight” this morning and was so happy to see today’s post, called “Paid Forward”. In a nutshell, Malady (the author) was going through the Starbucks drive-thru this morning and randomly decided to pay for the order of the woman behind her. The Starbucks employee asked if she knew the woman, and she said “No. Just tell her to have a nice day and pay it forward.” Such a simple act, but honestly I’m sure it made the woman’s day to receive an unexpected, kind gesture from a stranger for no reason other than to be nice – when does that actually happen?!
Amidst all the tragedies and heartache we constantly see in the media, even little things like this remind us that there is also still good in the world – and we have the power make more of it. So I’m going to try to follow Malady’s lead and look for ways to pay it forward myself – starting with this post telling hwtm readers about Malady. Hope you’ll pay her blog a visit…and be inspired to do a random act of kindness yourself 
-
how very, very cool! thanks for the inspiration!
Apr 25, 2007 at 8:55 am -
love hearing stuff like this
Apr 25, 2007 at 9:13 am thanks for sharing! -
super sweet. reminds me of the commercial where the girl pays for the drycleaning of the guy behind her. (of course, she was looking for a date!) but still, very cool.
Apr 25, 2007 at 9:29 am -
i know I would be happy if someone randomly paid for my starbucks order! bet this woman was too!
Apr 25, 2007 at 10:02 am -
Thanks for posting about my little attempt at being nice. Ever since I read the POWER OF NICE, I have been trying to put into action. I hope the lady enjoyed her coffee.
And I love your blog!!!
-Malady
Apr 25, 2007 at 10:27 am -
I did that once at a toll plaza. It seemed like the line was ridiculously long, and I liked the idea of making some people’s commute a little quicker by paying for ten tolls at once. It backfired. The toll attendant grilled me for an excessive amount of time, holding me and everyone behind me back. And the person behind me, suspicious of kind gestures, caught up with me, was screaming, and was focused on getting my attention so much more than on the road, that he almost caused an accident. If you like the idea, I suggest that you not do it at a toll plaza! Drive thrus, however, like the Starbucks one mentioned here, might still make for a lovely, positive experience!
Apr 26, 2007 at 6:49 am -
What a great story. Thanks for the link!
Apr 26, 2007 at 12:22 pm -
elle -
Apr 30, 2007 at 5:55 pm
ugh – I’m so sorry about your toll-booth experience! If it helps at all, I think that was super sweet of you to do – and personally would have been very happy if I was one of those 9 people behind you! -
lovely random act of kindness!
May 1, 2007 at 11:38 am
