Welcome to the 14th annual—Pay It Forward For The Holidays!
This initiative began years before this blockchain existed on another social media platform. It's been a joy to continue the tradition on the blockchain for these past nine years.
A chance encounter with a co-worker many years ago sparked a crazy idea that has grown into one of my favorite traditions. It began like this—I asked her what she was doing for the Holidays and she said, "My family has decided we have enough stuff. We're very fortunate so we're going to hand out twenty dollar bills on Christmas Eve."
This is how the tradition began.
The news this year, more than any other year I can remember, is full of darkness and negativity. It seems our world is going haywire. This really got my brain going about how we could start a wave of love and positivity. Through my social media pages I'm fortunate enough to have a global audience of amazing people. I'm a firm believer that there is still more good than bad in the world and I'd like to prove it.
“A purposeful act or extension of kindness to another is never wasted, for it always resides in the hearts of all involved in a chain of love.” ― Molly Friedenfeld
Our society has turned this Holiday season into a frenzy of consumerism that brings with it a whole host of negative emotions for a lot of people. More than any other time of the year, the Holidays make people long for loved ones who are no longer here, brings back feelings of regret, it can make people feel like they don't have enough money or things, and like they don't measure up in general.
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What I propose, if you can spare it, is to invest $20 in the goodness of humanity. You can use this $20 to help someone you know or a stranger you cross paths with. Pay someone's bill in a restaurant, buy a homeless person a hot meal, or simply hand someone a twenty dollar bill and say Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays or whichever Holiday Greeting you prefer. It's easy to forget that each of us are fighting a battle every day and, despite appearances, we have no idea what kind of struggles others are going through.
“Every once in awhile try to do something nice for somebody you don't know, even if it's just leaving an opening in traffic for them to merge into, small things like that give people hope that we're not all assholes.” ― Joshua Neik
This idea is very simple. It serves a twofold purpose. It may just help renew someone else's faith in the goodness of humanity and, I promise, it will make you feel INCREDIBLE! This simple act will bring you much more joy than anything the $20 could purchase. In fact, it might be the best gift you get this year.
Spread the word by SHAREing this post. Let's start a wave of light to drown out the darkness of this world...or maybe just forget about it for a little while.
Thank you for your interest in my work this year. May your Holidays be rich with all the things that truly matter.
With Gratitude,
~Eric Vance Walton~
Hello, dear @ericvancewalton.
I think this is a very good initiative, although, in my case, it is something I do every year, and I no longer even know how much money I spend at this time of year, at the end of the year or New Year, on people in need and on the children in my community.
What I can say is that it does me good, and I will continue to do it as long as I can.
Many people ask me why I do this when I have my own needs, and I always tell them that others need much more and I enjoy doing it.
Have a good day.
Cheers and best regards.
That's a great way to live your life, @tonyes. Cheers to you!
Great initiative, my wife usually handles this stuff, she regularly donates to various places that feed the homeless despite the fact that due to the changes to itemized deductions in the tax cut legislation during the first Trump presidency we can no longer write this stuff off...
Yes, so many tax-related things have changed in the past decade. You'd think charitable donations would be encouraged, especially during tough economic times like these.
As usual, I will be deferring to my wife this year. She usually has some kid or family that she needs to help out. She will come to me and say "honey I need x amount of money". It usually turns out to be the exact amount I have in my wallet, so I give her a hard time, then hand it over. :)
It must be meant to be! I can't keep cash very long in my wallet either. Usually if I have any a situation arises like you describe.
It's one of those constants of the universe!
One should never lose empathy and solidarity. Suddenly, our help could be the answer to someone's pleas. At home, for years, we have been accustomed to giving toys and clothes to the children in my neighborhood and making hallacas to share with the neighbors. This tradition is so deeply rooted in us and in the children that many of them put their letter to Santa on our tree. Certainly, we do not give them money, but we do give gifts that bring joy. By the way, this year I met an elderly woman who lives alone, and I have visited her at least once a month. I plan to visit her on the 23rd and spend some time with her. Sometimes time and companionship are a wonderful gift. I send you a big hug, my friend. Never change. 🎄
One should never lose empathy and solidarity.
I agree, Nancy. We can't let hate win but at the same time we can't let our kindness be exploited. It's like a tightrope walk. It always amazes me how much kindness happens anonymously without fanfare or expectation of reciprocation. It's so much fun and so rewarding to help people without them every knowing who it was. It creates a chain reaction and they usually end up doing the same for someone else. How wonderful that you share your time like that. I can tell you from spending time with my 82 year old Mom and many of her neighbors that loneliness is epidemic, especially after Covid. There are so many seniors who have no one at all. I bet that elderly woman you visit looks forward to your visit the entire month. Your time is the best thing you can give. Thanks, and I hope you never change either.
I'm all for waves of light!!
Merry Christmas Eric.
Thanks and Merry Christmas to you, my friend!
Excellent.
We don't have to save the world. $20. Most of us can come up with that. Imagine if everyone did. Great idea, @ericvancewalton.
#hive #posh
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