Many people want to be a part of something that does good in the world and makes a real difference in people’s lives.

The concept is old, but received significant popularization from Catherine Ryan Hyde’s 1999 novel and movie, “Pay It Forward.”

In the book and movie, the concept is described as an obligation to do three good deeds for others in response to a good deed that one receives. Such good deeds should accomplish things that the other person cannot accomplish on their own. In this way, the practice of helping one another can spread geometrically through society at a ratio of three to one, creating a social movement with an impact of making the world a better place.

According to Breast Cancer Charities of America,
what goes around comes around. Doing good does have health benefits,
including reduced stress and depression, and improves self-esteem.

Focusing on the kindness of others, no matter how small, shifts your focus from the daily struggles of life to the goodness that still exists in this world.

Here are five other reasons why paying it forward is necessary.

1. There is always someone who needs a bit of kindness, and you might be the only person to give it to them that day. As the saying goes, we never know what someone is going through. But we do know that it takes only a second to be kind. A quick smile, holding a door open, picking up something someone has dropped—all of these are small acts of kindness that may brighten someone’s day when they need it the most.
2. Paying it forward can change how you feel about the day. Your boss might have been excessively hard on you. Perhaps you got a flat tire on the way to work, and you had to wait forever on someone to help you change it. Instead of taking your irritation out on the world around you, smile at someone. Be kind to the AAA guy changing your tire even if did take him over an hour to get to you, your stomach is rumbling, and you’re stuck on the side of the highway during rush hour traffic. (I’m speaking from personal experience here!)
3. You could even save a life. As we go throughout our day, thinking of how we’re going home to an empty house, there are other people thinking about how they might not be able to take one more step. You have no way of knowing if your simple act of kindness could give them hope for a better tomorrow. (Want some examples? “Paying It Forward" Great Grocery Giveaway is one way or you could Read 10 Acts of Kindness That Saved A Life)
4. It can begin a “paying it forward” trend. Remember back in 2014 when one person started a Pay it Forward trend by paying for the customer’s order behind her at a Starbuck’s drive-thru? Before it ended, 378 people had taken part. How do you think that woman felt knowing she’d created such a massive act of kindness? How do you think you would feel?
5. It actually changes you inside. As you practice more kindness, soon, it will become a habit like brushing your teeth and combing your hair. And kinder people have better lives.

There are many random acts of kindness that will make this world a better place. Make a commitment to be kind to at least one person a day and see how it changes how you feel about yourself and the world around you.