The holiday season is always a time for me of recognizing that I am blessed to have the life that I have and paying it forward. As a result, it was extremely easy to participate in Emily’s December’s Pay it Forward Challenge of the 12 Months of Bliss Challenge.
Unlike in past months where the challenges were often out of the ordinary events, this challenge was something that I do attempt to do on a regular basis.. Emily encouraged everyone participating in the challenge to pay bliss forward at least once during the month by the way of holding a door open for someone, paying for the car behind you in the drive through or volunteering.
Here are a few ways I attempted to pay bliss forward over the past month.
- Doubled the tip for the hostess at my favorite restaurant who brought my carry out order to my car. (Did you know that very few people tip these individuals. This is a tip I received from a former student who worked at a restaurant.)
- Placed coupons I wouldn’t be using for items throughout my Kroger store.
- Personally thanked those in customer service at Target and other stores by using their names. (If you don’t already, I encourage you to use the person’s name when you thank them. They are often surprised I even know their name.)
- Let several people in front of me when traffic was backed up due to an accident. (We all know how aggravating it can be to be stuck in traffic and have no one let us over.)
- Sent emails and thank you messages for friends and individuals who have supported me as I grow my private practice.
- Held a Christmas brunch for some of my favorite people.
- James and I left a large tip for our waitress on Christmas Eve. We’ve both had jobs where we worked on Christmas Eve and she was a great waitress.
I also became aware of how others were paying it forward to me.
- A lady quickly offered her coupon at Belk when she heard me say I had left mine at home. The sales associate had already attempted to use the code but my purchase didn’t qualify. I was just struck at how quickly she offered (she wasn’t even standing in line)
- The Nurse Practitioner I work with purchased me coffee twice this month without even asking me if I wanted any. (Of course, I did)
- Received a Christmas card and touching note from a dear high school friend I had not heard from in many years.
- Received another email from a friend who shared how much she appreciates and finds inspiration from my blog. (It always helps to know that others are reading.)
- I also noticed that more people appeared to smile back when I smiled at them. In the past, I’ve noticed that many people do not smile but this month there appeared to be a little more of it. (I also realize smiling may not be considered paying it forward but as I discussed in being aware of our energy, I feel it is important to own our attitudes).
Paying it forward should truly be something that we do throughout the year. It takes very little to hold a door open for someone or leave a larger tip for someone who has provided excellent service. When we step outside of ourselves and recognize those around us we can not help but increase our own happiness and bliss.
Emily’s 12 Months of Bliss continues in January and it is never too late to begin the challenge for yourself. Follow Emily for more information on the January challenge.
Do you practice the art of paying it forward on a regular basis?
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