Nokuna

Wellbeing Officer

"Your present circumastances don't determine where you go, they merely determine where you start" - Dr Lauren Fogel Mersy

As we start the new year, you may expect me to write something about goal setting or motivation...perhaps next time...but for now, let's PAY IT FORWARD!

 

 

Many of you may have seen the movie ‘Pay It Forward.’ It’s about a young boy who did 3 good deeds for others in need. In return, all that the child wanted was that they pass on the good deed to three other people and keep the cycle going.

 

 

So how does it work?

Do one good deed for someone else without asking for anything in return. 

 

IDEAS TO PAY IT FORWARD

  1. Buy coffee for the person behind you in line.
  2. Buy a chocolate bar or loaf of bread for your neighbor.
  3. Compliment the first three people you talk to today.
  4. Send a positive text message to five different people right now.
  5. Post inspirational sticky notes around your neighborhood, office, school, etc.
  6. Surprise a neighbor with freshly baked cookies or treats.
  7. Let someone go in front of you in line.
  8. Leave a petrol gift card at a petrol station.
  9. Leave coins at the laundromat.
  10. Encounter someone in customer service who is especially kind? Take an extra five minutes to tell their manager.
  11. Leave unused coupons next to corresponding products in the supermarket.
  12. Leave a note on someone’s car telling them how awesome they parked.
  13. Try to make sure every person in a group conversation feels included.
  14. Write a kind message on your mirror with an easy to erase marker for yourself, your significant other or a family member.
  15. Place a positive body image note in a jeans pocket at a clothes shop.
  16. Smile at five people you walk past.
  17. Set an alarm on your phone to go off at three different times during the day. In those moments, do something kind for someone else.
  18. Send a gratitude email to a coworker/friend/family who deserves more recognition.
  19. Know parents who could use a night out? Offer to babysit for free.
  20. Give a “well done” or “you’re doing great” to people exercising outside.
  21. Return a shopping trolly for someone at the supermarket.
  22. Buy a plant. Put it in a pot. Write positive words that describe a friend on the pot. Give it to that friend.
  23. Write someone a list of things you love about them.
  24. Purchase extra dog or cat food and bring it to an animal shelter/neighbour who has a pet.
  25. Find opportunities to give compliments. It costs nothing, takes no time, and could make someone’s entire day. Don’t just think it. Say it.
  26. Take flowers or treats to your nearest hospital, fire brigade, police station.
  27. Email or write to a teacher who is making a difference in your child’s life.

I’ll give you some inspiration and play a short clip for you

 

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3ld9_p2bS0&t=129s

 

It might not seem like much, but if everyone did something good for someone else, then the cycle of generosity and kindness can spark us to become better people. 

 

Marika Smith

Student Wellbeing Officer