Paying It Forward

Paying It Forward.

I've thought a lot about this topic lately. 

When I say that I would rather give than receive, I really honest-to-goodness mean it.  It makes me feel good.  Maybe that's why I enjoy doing giveaways on my blog so much.  It just feels so darn good to give.

I'm really sad to say that I recently missed out on an opportunity to pay it forward. 

I was standing in line at Wal-Mart.  It was on Monday, after a long day back at work.  I really just wanted to be at home, with dinner already on the table, but I was stuck in line waiting to pay for my groceries.  The lady in front of me was paying with an Access Card (our state welfare/DHS food program) and it always seems to take longer.  She had already scanned it twice and then the cashier had to scan it in for her.  When it was all said and done, she still owed thirty three dollars and some change.  I could tell that she had a little bit of money in her hand, but when the total came up, she was short.  She laid down some dollars and started counting out the change in her wallet.  I felt the urge to give her some money then, but I didn't want to embarrass her or make things awkward.  So, I didn't do anything.  Then, she handed the cashier a bag back and said to just take them off...it was enough, so she handed the cashier what money she had counted out, got her receipt, and left.

I wish I had just handed her some money.  I'm not sure if what she handed back to the cashier was necessities or not.  It's more about the principal.  She was in a bind and I had some extra.  I should have paid it forward.

I'm saying all of this to say that I won't let that happen again.  If I get the opportunity to pay it forward, I'm going to do it. 

I'm making it a New Years Resolution.  One that I plan to keep.

We had the opportunity to pay it forward on The RHOK blog last month.  You can read about it HERE.  It felt good. 

Have you ever paid it forward OR been the recipient of someone's generosity?

P.S.  I'm giving everyone a little extra time (due to my bloggy break) to enter in my giveaway.  Go HERE to comment and enter!  You'll have until Wednesday, January 12th, to enter.  I'll announce the winner on Thursday, January 13th!