Lifeplan Institute | 10 Million Teenagers in 10 Years: Paying It Forward

This time of year is steeped in tradition, celebration, family, friends, devotion and giving.  One of my favorite Christmas stories is from a year ago in Hawaii at the local Target store.

I was standing in line to check out and there was a wonderful young boy, about 12 years old, with his mom behind me.  I noticed that he was putting some Star Wars figures on the counter and was counting out his money to pay for them.

I asked him if he was buying them for himself, but he responded with considerable enthusiasm that he was getting them for his close friends.  I said that was great and asked if he was using his Christmas money, to which he said yes and added, "You know, it's more fun to give things to your friends than to get them for yourself". I told him that I felt the same way, and that he was "paying it forward."

He then said, "That's my favorite movie, and I really believe it!"

I told him that I totally agreed and pulled $50 out of my pocket and gave it to him. He quickly said he couldn't take it, but I reminded him that I was now paying it forward so that he could go back and get more figures for his friends and one for himself.

By this time his mom and the checkout lady are in tears of joy.   I told them that this young man had just rekindled my belief that if each of us would pay it forward  just once this holiday season, it could become a veritable tsunami of joy to all involved.

So this year, I invite all of us to remember the cascading wonder that can occur from each of us paying it forward for others.  I would add that the greatest  gift we can give each other is our love and our time.

So it is my hope that we can all share our time, joy, and interest in one another to expand our holiday traditions and add to the growth of love in our hearts.

Happy Holidays!

Andy