I’ve sponsored this Pay It Forward For The Holidays initiative on the blockchain now for the past eight years and on my other socials since 2014.
2024 marks a full decade of this!
When this began I was just beginning to wake up to the fact that mainstream media was flooding us with negativity and consumerism and how we could counteract it. After the past few years we’ve had it means so much more. I can tell you very honestly that the joy this has brought is the best Christmas present I've received each of the past nine years.
I just heard a YouTuber quote something today, "Life is a series of problems we have to try to solve. The day we're no longer faced with these problems is the day we die." So I guess, from this perspective, problems are a good thing. It means we still have a chance to improve not only our condition but to try to add to the goodness of the world.
After the countless challenges we’ve all endured, many people are struggling, many of them are doing so quietly and often secretly.
Through my social media channels, I’ve been fortunate to connect with a sizable and loyal community—a group of truly kind-hearted souls. This year, I’d like to invite you to join me once again in an effort to spread kindness and light.
I firmly believe there’s still more good than bad in the world, and together, we can prove it.
Your Participation is Requested
If you’re able, I encourage you to invest in the goodness of humanity. The idea is simple: use whatever you can spare to brighten someone else’s day—whether it’s someone you know or a complete stranger. Give in any way your heart tells you to.
Here are just a few ideas:
- Anonymously pay for someone’s order at a restaurant or store.
- Offer to buy a hungry person a hot meal.
- Drop off groceries for a family in need.
- Hand someone some spare cash with a warm “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Holidays,” or any greeting that resonates with you.
We all face battles every day, often hidden beneath the surface. A small act of kindness could be the spark someone needs to rekindle their faith in humanity. And here’s the beautiful part: these simple acts won’t just lift others—they’ll also fill your own heart with joy. The happiness you’ll feel is priceless and may end up being the best gift you receive this year.
I’ll be paying it forward myself in the coming weeks, and I’d love for you to join me.
Spread the Word!
Let’s create a ripple effect of positivity. Share this message on Hive or your favorite social media platform. Together, we can start a wave of light to push back the darkness—or at least help us forget it for a little while.
As we near the end of the year, I want to thank you for your continued support and interest in my work. Life has pulled me in a million directions this year, but I deeply appreciate those of you who have stayed with me.
Looking ahead, I see that familiar glimmer of hope on the horizon. Let’s carry it forward into 2025, a year I hope will bring joy, abundance, and all the things that truly matter.
May your holiday season be rich in love, kindness, and gratitude.
With heartfelt thanks,
Eric Vance Walton
I am an American novelist, poet, traveler, and crypto-enthusiast. If you’ve enjoyed my work please sign up for my author newsletter at my website. Newsletter subscribers will receive exclusive updates and special offers and your information will never be sold or shared.
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I love your annual initiative, Eric, encouraging others to do the same and warm the hearts of strangers who may feel lonely, or facing other difficulties.
PS I'm sure you do pay it forward not just during the holidays but at other times as well <3
Thank you Lizelle! It's been fun these past ten years. My wife and I try to help others when we can, year 'round but do so a little more consciously during the Holidays. It's so much fun to be able to do it. I'm sure you probably do the same. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Hello dear friend @ericvancewalton good afternoon
I love this initiative that you do every year; I am also convinced that there are more good things than bad in the world, but as you say, they are not spread
It is true, there are always people who are worse off than us, and a small action that we take can make a difference
I have great faith that these holidays will be filled with love, kindness and gratitude
Have a lovely afternoon
Thank you and Merry Christmas to you and your family!
I am so proud to “know” you, Eric! You are truly an extraordinary being. At home we always give gifts to poor children and make bread bags for them. This year, because of the death of my nephew, we don't have much encouragement to do anything, but this post just motivated me: it is better to spread joy and hope, than to spread sadness. So I will try to keep the family tradition and bring a smile to the children's faces, as always. I hope all the good deeds you do multiply into blessings for you. I hug you tight, tight, friend!!!!
Thank you, Nancy! I’m so glad to hear this resonated with you so strongly. Every now and then, I need a reminder that how we perceive and react to things beyond our control can profoundly impact our quality of life. I know this truth, but sometimes I forget. When we make that perceptual shift, it’s like seeing the world through an entirely new lens—it’s empowering.
I’ve felt stuck in a rut this year, but the thought of Paying It Forward... kept surfacing in my mind throughout this past week. Interestingly, the moment I shared it, I felt a noticeable shift. Hopefully I can keep riding this wave of positivity into 2025.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend my friend!
Another world is possible with goodness, but they always try to imbue egoism with us.
It's a very beautiful initiative and what perfect timing to show someone you care, than this season of love.
That feelings is unique and only someone who has done this can feel that.
It's very powerful!
I'm not sure if this counts, but I took 25 Hive and I have been watching them diminish one by one as each person keeps one and passes the rest along to someone else until we get to Christmas day. I think the count got messed up somewhere and the last person might get a little extra, but that's really no big deal!
Every effort counts! This sounds like fun!
We have a students association at our Uni and we always organize getting help for children in need, homeless people, animals & everyone else that needs a little good in life. We host pub quizzes, donations etc. As much as it’s special, Christmas time shouldn’t hold people from doing good deeds only one month of the year. There’s an idiom in Croatian language: “Dobro se dobrim vraća” which translates to “Good returns with good.”
All of us should be a little kinder to everyone around us :).
#hive #posh
There is no greater happiness than giving joy to the family and, if we understand that human beings are family, then, when something is given to those who need it most, our soul is filled with a happiness that cannot be compared to anything else.
I thank you for sharing this publication and I congratulate you for the things you do because that says what a great human being you are. Merry Christmas. Cheers and greetings.