I was at the store the other day and due to a banking error (or possible over-site on my part), my credit card for some medicine I was picking up for my very sick son, was declined.
I was mad, frustrated and upset at the timing of this latest annoyance and the look in my son's tired and blood-shot eyes made me want to cry.
And then the most amazing thing happened. A stranger in line behind me paid for the medication. I tried to stop him for fear of his ulterior motives but he insisted and had a very kind and trusting face so I allowed him to pay the eighty nine dollars.
Of course I was embarrassed and told the man this sort of thing never happens to me; a little white lie to protect my wounded pride.
I asked for his address so I could pay him back and he told me he'd rather I pay it forward, to someone else who needed help. In fact, he insisted on it and made me promise to help someone else who desperately needed it and not expect anything in return other than continuing to pay things forward.
I was confused and asked him why he would do such a thing. He told me he had been doing this quite awhile, ever since he saw the movie, Pay It Forward back in 2000.
Now I love movies, especially feel good movies and this definitely sounded like one I'd want to see, but in all honesty had never even heard of before. He told me it was an excellent movie but some pompous movie critic said it was the worst film of the year, despite an all-star cast.
Of course I Googled it when I got home and found the extended trailer for it. I actually cried after viewing it.
As soon as I got my son medicated and propped comfortably in front of the television, I rushed out and purchased the movie. I absolutely loved it. I have no idea how a movie that can inspire people, even eight years later, to do good, can get such a bad review. In the same year when Dude, Where's My Car?, came out, how anyone could claim Pay It Forward was the worst flick of the year obviously needs his brain examined! (The reviewer was Peter Travers, by the way. idiot!)
The idea behind the story is to help someone out who really, really needs it and then insist they don't have to pay you back, rather they have to pay it forward, to three other people, and then those three pay it forward to three more people, spreading much like the virus my son currently has and doing its best to infect the rest of the family.
The fact that I had never heard of the movie is proof that the idea did not take hold and change the world, rather the opposite seems to have happened. Just watch the news and it's painfully obvious that there are more and more people inflicting pain and misery on society like no other time in recent memory.
There is hope however. My son's temperature is dropping as I write this article and his eyes are not as glassy and the pain in my heart from watching one of my children suffering is diminishing, thanks to that movie and the gentleman who was moved after watching it.
I will honor his request to pay it forward and I hope I choose the recipients wisely in order that they should do the same. Watch the movie if you get the chance. I put the movie clip on my website to give you an idea of the principle here.
No, I'm not counting this article or the clip as part of my repayment. I'm looking for a real opportunity to make a difference in someone's lifewon't you join me?
I like the pay it forward idea but it also makes me sad.
Do we really need a system to remind us to be good and helpful to others?
I know you say the world has changed and it's all doom and gloom in the news. But there are so many people doing good every single day. Volunteers, charity workers,carers and everyday people. I see good everyday, perhaps what we need to do is slow down a tad so we recognise it when we see it.
A stranger holding a door open, picking up your dropped glove for you, asking you if you're ok if you look dizzy, offering you a ride on a rainy day?
Neighbours helping out when you lock yourself out the house, minding the kids while you go to the Dr's. So many things.
I am lucky in that I witness 'good deeds' daily, small to large and myself do help where help is needed.
But I do understand 'pay it forward' is a worthwhile concept and perhaps on our bad days we do need a reminder.
I'm certain that when a situation presents, you'll give your help freely without even considering the pay it forward rule.
» left by Myla Madson(2,288) Myla Madson (207 days 3 hours ago.)
Believe me, I do try and see the good in this world, and yes, there is a great deal of it. I'm a bit jaded though as I see failing marriages and troubled teens every day of my life...the hazards of my profession I suppose. Writing about these things with an eye for a silver lining is a type of therapy for me...and boy do I need therapy. No worries though, I'm happy by nature and just wish the world could be a kinded, gentler place for me and my children and everyone else just trying to live their lives in peace and harmony. Thank you for commenting! lol Myla Respond to this comment
» left by Teresa Ortiz (207 days 14 hours ago.)
Thanks for sharing this inspiring story. I saw that movie when it came out and I cried. What a blessing you received and I know another will be blessed as you pay it forward. Blessings to you! Teresa Respond to this comment
» left by Myla Madson(2,288) Myla Madson (207 days 3 hours ago.)
Thank you Teresa. Can you believe such a moving and lovely movie could get such bad ratings? Movie critics have never sat well with me. Anyway, I will Pay It Forward as promised and sit back and see what happens! lol Myla Respond to this comment
» left by sue thom from nj (207 days 13 hours ago.)
hi myla,
very well written, heartwarming story, those are my favorites!
the circle of giving has to keep spinning if there is to be any hope
for our future, and that of our kids. thanks for a good article,
best regards,
sue thom Respond to this comment
» left by Myla Madson(2,288) Myla Madson (207 days 3 hours ago.)
Thank you Sue, I'm so glad you enjoyed the article. I do my best to write as though we are having a conversation and I sometimes become a little slack with proper grammer and other annoying english language rules. I love to hear that I've touched someone and I can tell my english major mother "see, I told you people will still read my stories even though I've broken practically every rule in your dusty college grammer books" lol Myla Respond to this comment
» left by Camille Strate(1,127) Camille Strate (206 days 23 hours ago.)
Myla~ What a wonderful thing to have happen to you! I'm a huge fan of that movie and have also practiced this for many years. I thought I'd offer up some things for you to enhance your experience...and grow it larger! The news media tells us horrors every day, all day long because that crap sells. No lie. So, maybe just stop watching/listening to it. You'd be amazed at how your perception of humanity will change. If you look at the 'big picture', the number of people on this planet compared to the numbers we 'hear' on the news who are doing despicable things, you'll soon come to see that percentages are hugely in favor of the good stuff. In fact, if you were to measure the 'bad' to the 'good', the bad stuff would be a mere blip on the TV screen. It's just that people are addicted to fearful behaviors, which is why the media continues to barrage us with this junk. It's all about keeping people fearful. In any case, here's something I started doing a long time ago...and it has utterly changed my life: every day when I get up, my focus, my promise to myself is to look for all the goodness in my day. I EXPECT to meet nice people, have good experiences and see random acts of kindness everywhere I go. And you know what? I DO! Because I'm focused on it and looking for it, I see it all around me. Try it. You'll see. There are billions of kind people on this planet. All we need do is expect them to be in our path. I promise, if you'll try it your perceptions of humanity will change forever. I wish you peace, great joy and MANY kindnesses!
Camille Respond to this comment
» left by Myla Madson(2,288) Myla Madson (206 days 22 hours ago.)
I apologize for coming across in this article as a pessimist, I'm anything but. I believe in positive thinking and practice it regurarly with great results. I'm a counselor and see a lot of what's wrong in this world and make my living trying to fix it so I know I write in a frustrated manner sometimes. I really do appreciate your kind and well meaning words. I love hearing that there are those that make a point of seeing the good in this world. Thank you so much for the indepth response and advice. Have a wonderful day! lol Respond to this comment
» left by (205 days 22 hours ago.)
Hi Myla, I'm happy to say that I've read many of your stories and this one really warmed my heart. Thanks so much for all your inspiration.
Best Wishes, Jim Respond to this comment
» left by Myla Madson(2,288) Myla Madson (205 days 22 hours ago.)
Thankyou Jim for commenting and I'm glad I was able to warm your heart. I see you are a newcomer to SearchWarp. You are going to love it here, everyone is so encouraging. Wecan't wait to see what you have to offer! myla Respond to this comment
» left by April Lorier(5,652) April Lorier (205 days 9 hours ago.)
Myla, Dahling, I also loved the movie. But every time it comes on TV, I rewatch it, then turn it off before the kid dies. I thought the movie had ALREADY made its excellent point without having to kill the kid in the script. I DID like the song, but did not appreciate being "manipulated" by the unnecessary death of the boy.
Paying it Forward is the way Christians are to live, anyway, right? The other day I had a trunk full of plastic bottles to cash in. There's a homeless "bag lady" who walks the streets with her stolen grocery cart, digging in trash can for recyclables. I kept driving around until I located her. I felt so much better than having that money in my hand! Just made my day! Good article, Myla. Respond to this comment
» left by Myla Madson(2,288) Myla Madson (205 days 4 hours ago.)
You gave away the ending April! Are you one of those gals that tells everyone what's about to happen next at the movie theater? kidding, lol. I'm not surprised you are a pay it forward type of person and i knew I could count on a comment from you. I hated the end of the movie as well but as Hannah mentioned, I think it was based on a true story but it sure seems they could have left that part out...soooooo sad! Thanx again for the kind words april. Respond to this comment
» left by Hannah Quinn from Australia (205 days 6 hours ago.)
Myla,
Wonderful. I'm so glad that man helped out when you needed it, and with a pay-it-forward method. Apparently the film was based on a true story. It's been on telly here (Australia) although I haven't seen it - too sad. But I love the premise and have practiced it myself.
» left by Myla Madson(2,288) Myla Madson (205 days 4 hours ago.)
I have trouble watching sad movies as well although the idea behind this movie was to good not to comment on. However, I do think I'm probably the only girl in the entire world who does'nt like the Lifetime Network movies...to much killing, dying and cheating for me to handle. Thank you for your comment Hannah, love your accent... (telly) and your name. I would love to visit Australia someday. I read your poem you wrote about your beautiful country all the time...wish I could read with my eyes closed to paint a picture. I would love to have some Australian gal record it so I can listen to it! Thanx again for commenting! lol myla Respond to this comment
» left by Barbara Clark(455) Barbara Clark (203 days 18 hours ago.)
Myla,
I'm glad you chose to highlight your experience here and remind us all to live each day, paying it forward! I'm a huge fan of this movie and the concept, too! What an inspirational piece of writing! Respond to this comment
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