Giving Back is Easy

We all want to give back and pay it forward, but how?  There are countless ways that you (yes, you!) can make a difference in someone’s life. You do not have to be Bill or Melinda Gates in order to make a difference.  Here are some ideas and stories to get you started.

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• Out of the Closet. Cleaning out your closet? If you have clothes that you never wear or won’t fit again, donate those clothes to your local homeless shelter or battered family shelter. Your castoff is a God-send for someone. If you haven’t worn the item of clothing in the past 12 months, be assured someone else will.   
• Fast Food Friend. Next time you’re in a fast food drive-through, pay for the person’s meal behind you when you pick up your food. You’ll be long gone before they find out. Be forewarned, there is an exhilarating feeling that accompanies this small act of kindness. And what does it cost? <$20
• Munch Bunch. At work, buy several snacks in the vending machine and leave a note “I wanted to do a Random Act of Kindness, so I bought your snack. There should be several at the bottom of the vending machine.  Pay it forward and let someone else know you care. Have a great day.” Total cost? $10. Feeling afterwards? Priceless.

• Give Back Snack. Buy a bar. Feed a child. You eat together.   Ryan and his friends created a give back snack that allows a life-saving packet of food to be donated for every bar sold. That's something we all can feel good about! Hear Ryan Devlin's interview with Alana talking about This Bar Saves Lives.  Listen here "Life Savers" show  18-Sept-2016  Oh, and they really are outragously delicious. Try the Chocolate peanut butter sea salt one. OMG. 

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• On a Positive Note. Kids at St. Michael’s High School in Santa Fe were delighted to discover a post-it note with different positive, uplifting sayings on each and every locker, and every teacher’s door.  Investigation found that the campus ministry kids got up early to put all 900 post it notes out before school.  Love this! Hear Rachel Gantt talk about this Random Act of Kindness, "Creative Guys" show click here 12-Feb-2017 show.
• "Good Job." Leave an anonymous note on a coworker’s desk, saying what a great job they’re doing.  Easy. No cost. Last positive impact. Try it this week.

What do you do when you see this?

• Paid in Full. I interviewed Kenyada Waters of Anchorage Alaska. She saw a man on the side of the road holding a sign (pictured). Obviously he was out of work and desperate. Instead of passing him a few bucks, she stopped and got to know him. She took him to his cell phone provider and paid for his cell to be turned back on. Lo and behold, there were job offers awaiting! One seemingly small act of kindness transformed this man’s life. To hear that interview click here. ("Christmas to Me" show 18-Dec-2016 )

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How can YOU give back this week? What small random act of kindness will you do? How can you lift someone's day? Leave your comment below. 

Go out and be a light... at home, at work, and in your community.
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​~Alana Light